Art
Quebec parents file $1.6M suit after teacher allegedly puts kids’ art for sale online
MONTREAL — Ten Montreal-area parents are suing a high school teacher and a school board after their children’s classroom art assignments were allegedly posted for sale online.
The lawsuit in Quebec Superior Court seeks $155,000 per family, plus punitive damages and an apology from Westwood Junior High School art teacher Mario Perron and the Lester B. Pearson school board.
Article content
A filing dated March 15 says Perron had assigned his students at the St-Lazare, Que., school to produce a “creepy portrait” of themselves or a classmate inspired by the style of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The lawsuit alleges the students found out in February that the teacher was selling their artwork online without their consent, as prints or on T-shirts, coffee mugs, bags and decor, at prices ranging from US$9.50 to US$113.
“The defendant Perron appropriated and deliberately used the work of his 96 minor students to put them for sale and profit personally from them,” the court document says.
“To top it all, the totality of the works of art used by the defendant Perron for commercial purposes specify the name of the student as author, which allowed them to be identified on a public platform, especially since the works themselves are portraits.”
As of Monday, Perron’s pages were taken down from the sites where he allegedly sold the art. But screenshots provided by one of the parents, and included as evidence in the lawsuit, shows dozens of colourful portraits listed on the website fineartamerica.com, each identified as a “creepy portrait” followed by a first name.
Article content
“Here we are in a digital age, where families and parents are there to scrutinize everything that our children are looking at, but who would have thought that it should have been the parents scrutinizing the teacher?” said Joel DeBellefeuille, whose son’s art is among the pieces allegedly posted online.
The court filing alleges the teacher’s actions violated copyright laws and shook the confidence of parents and students, and it demands that the students’ work be removed from the sales site.
It alleges the school board was negligent in hiring Perron and failing to properly check his public online activity.
The Lester B. Pearson school board declined to comment on the legal action but said in February that it was investigating the allegations and taking them seriously.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2024.
[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.
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.
Alouettes receiver Philpot announces he’ll be out for the rest of season
David Lipsky shoots 65 to take 1st-round lead at Silverado in FedEx Cup Fall opener
Canada’s Marina Stakusic advances to quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
-
News7 hours agoB.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
-
Sports8 hours ago
Lawyer says Chinese doping case handled ‘reasonably’ but calls WADA’s lack of action “curious”
-
News18 hours ago
Reggie Bush was at his LA-area home when 3 male suspects attempted to break in
-
Sports2 hours ago
Canada’s Marina Stakusic advances to quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
-
News7 hours ago
A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
-
News7 hours ago
Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
-
News8 hours ago
RCMP say 3 dead, suspects at large in targeted attack at home in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
News8 hours ago
Bad weather and boat modifications led to capsizing off Haida Gwaii, TSB says
