Dominica’s Garvin LeBlanc graduated earlier this month from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction in Visual Arts, attaining noteworthy achievements beyond the classroom.
In addition to the completion of his degree, LeBlanc managed to nab “the prestigious Asper Graduating Award in recognition of his digital media project work” during the final exhibition, “Odds and Ends” in April, says a media release on the artist. He was also bestowed the Young Black Creative Award during the Black Excellence Graduation Celebration.
According to the write-up, the award represents not just his creative talents but the scope of his impact in the school community.
The graduation ceremony, held on June 4 at UBCO campus, is a milestone in the artist’s journey that, he relays, began as a young boy, raised in the Roseau area, with roots in the small northern-most village of Penville.
Through his childhood enthusiasm for reading, writing, and drawing, he says his passion for art developed.
Eventually, his love for the field led him to settle in media arts and design.
“After studying Architectural Technology at the Dominica State College and working as a digital media artist following his graduation in 2017, he relocated to Canada in 2018 to pursue higher education in visual arts,” says the release.
With these fresh accomplishments under his belt, LeBlanc looks back and attributes his success to “faith, perseverance, and a strong support system.”
His advice to aspiring artists and creative professionals is to commit to their craft and seek excellence while learning through every experience. Finally, he encourages “trusting God throughout the journey.”
