The plan is to fix the studio and give it to the town of Lumsden, turning the location into a community centre for events, art and more
Back in the day, John Nugent’s art studio smelled amazing, as hundreds of litres of beeswax were poured and formed into ornate candles for most of the Catholic churches in Western Canada, as well as private customers around the province.
Now, it smells a bit earthy.
The unique studio, styled with a bright white conical roof, blends into the snow-covered hills of the Qu’Appelle Valley during the winter months and stands out during the warmer days of the year. A large part of the studio is underground, build into a hill with a series of concrete culverts used as windows along the base of the building, looking out toward Lumsden.
The studio, designed by renowned architect Clifford Wiens, is the birthplace of two statues of some notoriety made by Nugent — one is of Canada’s first prime minister John A. Macdonald, the other is of Métis patriot Louis Riel.
Inside the main dome of the studio part of the roof — which contains asbestos — is cracked. The floor is full of items placed there for storage but it is clear that repairs are needed. The roof was built over five weekends, as Nugent and Weins would spend their off-time making and building the studio in 1960. It’s a modern design, which shares much in common with Wien’s other design work.
Surrounding the building there are sculptures made by Nugent, but the local deer are the most frequent visitors.
Art from Nugent, Wiens, Ted Godwin and several other Saskatchewan artists will be up for sale at two May 7 auctions, with all money going towards the restoration of the studio.
The auctions, one silent and one loud, will take place on May 7 at 7 p.m. at Lumsden Centennial Hall. There are 20 pieces available in the auction and over 60 for the silent auction.
The studio has sat unused for almost two decades, despite its history and despite its connection to Saskatchewan art and culture.
“Well, John got old, he was born in 1920,” said Rand Teed, who worked at the studio when he was a teenager, helping Nugent with his artist endeavours, and learning the crafts of candle and bronze statue making. Nugent died in 2014.
“The last 20 years or so he wasn’t really able to work much, and so (the studio) just kind of sat and deteriorated a little bit,” said Teed.
On Saturday morning, digging through some of the items left in the studio he found one of those old candles. Asked if it was one that he might have made, Teed said that no, all his candles had long ago been burned.
Inside the studio, a large metal beam juts across the space, suspended from the ceiling. Teed explained that there was once a furnace in the studio that was hot enough to melt bronze, and using the beam, the molten metal could be poured into moulds, making statues.
Nugent also made crucifixes, crosses and chalices for Catholic churches across Canada.
While the artistic pedigree of Nugent and the studio has long been known, enthusiasts are now wanting to restore the studio and hand it over to the town of Lumsden.
Teed remembers the studio as a hub for creative activity and culture.
It’s where he first heard Bob Dylan, a place where artists and critics from all around would gather, and Teed hopes to see that kind of life and energy again at the site one day.
“When it was really active here there would be lots of artists from the city coming out to visit,” said Teed, adding that once, even art critic Clement Greenberg came to the studio.
Cheryl Robinson and her husband Bruce live close to the studio in Lumsden, and are part of the restoration effort.
“Last year, we patched … all the cement work and got it repainted because it was starting to look pretty darn shabby,” she said.
The inside needs to be patched and grading alongside the building is also needed. The site is a provincial heritage property, and work has been done on the 2.7-hectare parcel of land it sits on, but grants for repairs are insufficient, said Robinson.
Teed, the Robinsons and Nugent’s daughter Karen all want to see the studio return to its former glory, and to create a new community space.
Tickets for the auctions are available for purchase at 306-536-6383.
The news seems to be flying at us faster all the time. From COVID-19 updates to politics and crime and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. With that in mind, the Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox to help make sure you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Penguins re-sign Crosby to two-year extension that runs through 2026-27 season
Next phase of federal foreign interference inquiry to begin today in Ottawa
Liberals announce expansion to mortgage eligibility, draft rights for renters, buyers
Feds wary of back-to-work legislation despite employer demands: labour experts
Voters head to the polls for byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
Ontario considers further expanding pharmacists’ scope to include more minor ailments
Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales up 1.4% in July at $71B
National housing market in ‘holding pattern’ as buyers patient for lower rates: CREA
