Art
Vancouver Island art dealer faces charges of fraud, false pretenses after police seize artwork worth millions
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Saanich police have seized millions of dollars’ worth of artwork, including three Emily Carr paintings, from a Vancouver Island art dealer who is subsequently facing charges of fraud and false pretenses.
The seizure – which took place over three days this month and stretched over three storage sites – involved over 1,000 pieces by 140 different artists, including paintings, etchings, prints and a sculpture. The dealer was arrested on April 21.
“For our department, monetarily speaking, this has got be the largest investigation we’ve done in the last 30 years,” said Markus Anastasiades, public information and communications officer at Saanich Police Department, in an interview with The Globe and Mail.
Saanich police began the investigation on April 11 when a resident reported that they had entrusted a local dealer with four pieces of fine art for consignment and potential sale at an art gallery in Oak Bay, a municipality just outside Victoria. The pieces were three original Emily Carr paintings and one David Blackwood watercolour, both renowned Canadian artists.
The owner grew suspicious when the gallery closed down and attempts to contact the dealer went unanswered.
The following police investigation uncovered numerous other cases, involving several Vancouver Island-based victims who had consigned art to the dealer, after which the dealer had ceased contact with them, refused to return the paintings or failed to reimburse profits.
Saanich police are refusing to release the identity of the accused until charges relating to the seizure this month are sworn in court.
Publicly available court documents show that Winchester Galleries and art dealer Calvin Lucyshyn are the subject of several lawsuits by people alleging he took their art and did not compensate them.
Mr. Lucyshyn bought the gallery in 2019 from its two previous owners, a local couple who had successfully run it since 1994. He could not be reached for comment.
A civil suit filed in September by the original owners, Gunther Heinrich and Anthony Sam, claimed Mr. Lucyshyn had failed to pay the remaining $200,000 owed to them for the sale. He had also failed to pay the rent, leaving Mr. Heinrich and Mr. Sam liable. The total sum Mr. Lucyshyn owes the two is around $500,000.
But according to Mr. Sam and Mr. Heinrich’s lawyer, the hardest part of the ordeal isn’t the money.
“My clients have put their whole life and energy into making that gallery what it was. Unfortunately it seems like the new owner did not treat it the same way,” Nicholas M. Vaartnou said in an interview.
Other civil claims include one filed in November by George Pawliuk, where the plaintiff gave 10 paintings to Winchester Gallery. Mr. Lucyshyn sold one for over $40,000 but consistently failed to pay Mr. Pawliuk the money owed, the suit claimed.
A claim filed in March by Janet Baker also had Mr. Lucyshyn on the hook for taking paintings. This one involved three separate pieces, valued at a total of $46,000.
All three civil claims obtained default judgments against Mr. Lucyshyn, meaning he had not responded to the claims within the designated period. Ms. Baker obtained her case’s judgment on Friday.
However, Mr. Vaartnou and Eric Clausen, the lawyer for Ms. Baker, are worried that their clients will not see the money they are owed. According to a petition filed to the B.C. Supreme Court by the Bank of Nova Scotia, Mr. Lucyshyn’s mortgage is in default. He owes $674,199.
“Unfortunately it’s very difficult to recover on judgments in cases like this,” Mr. Clausen said in an interview. “But we’re certainly hoping that there’s some chance.”
The 1,000 pieces of artwork are currently being stored in a secure location, and the police are filing through each one with the hope of returning the pieces to their original owners.
“We know they have a sentimental value that is hard for us to comprehend. We will do our very best to reunite the owners with their work,” Mr. Anastasiades said.
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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.
Blaze in the West Wing
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.
About Somerset House
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.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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