‘Creative Callallo’, First Book From Author And Educator Danica David, Is Set For A Thursday Launch

ST. CROIX — St. Croix artist and teacher Danica M. David has just added “author” to her credentials with the launch of her book Creative Callaloo (Editorial Campana, NY), a gorgeous hardcover edition where art, poetry, and recipes create a true Virgin Islands stew of colors, words, and flavors, according to a release issued Monday. The release is set for Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Undercover Books in Gallows Bay.

Ms. David joined forces with local poet Winifred “Oyoko” Loving and chef Mark E. Davis to create the, dubbed an an original read for all tastes and ages.

The artwork by Ms. David serves as a retrospective of her twenty-five year career as an artist and the poems by Ms. Loving perfectly play with the imagery, complementing and adding a new dimension to the paintings, according to the release. The savory recipes by Mr. Davis tie it all together for a truly sensorial experience.

Divided into sections for appetizers, entrées, desserts, and drinks, Creative Callaloo opens the Crucian kitchen to its readers and invites them to create the delicious food for themselves (thanks to mouthwatering photos of the finished dishes by Ms. David).

The three creators will be in attendance to dedicate and sign copies of their book, which makes a perfect holiday gift for residents, visitors, and for Virgin Islanders away from home. “Creative Callaloo is a treat for art, food, history, and poetry lovers,” David stated. Ronald Hewitt a history educator for the Virgin Islands Department of Education reviewed the book and noted that “David utilizes a multidiscipline approach and brings the Virgin Islands culture alive with beautiful, vibrant art, powerful poems and interesting recipes.”

Ms. David is also a visual arts educator at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School and an adjunct professor at the University of the Virgin Islands. Her artwork is published in Carol Mitchell’s book ‘Round My Christmas Tree; Apple Gidley’s novel Fireburn; and Charlene Abramson’s children’s book The Vienna Cake Mystery.