Art
Penticton art centre evicted after School District refuse cheaper lease – iNFOnews
The Okanagan School of the Arts has until the end of the month to vacate the historic Shatford Centre building after the Okanagan Skaha School District refused to cut a deal with the not-for-profit organization on its lease renewal.
School of the Arts board president Keith MacIntyre told iNFOnews.ca as its lease was about to expire, they approached the school district, which owns the building, and tried to negotiate a vastly reduced rate while the art school navigated the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the School District refused the art school’s proposal and would not renew or extend the lease and ordered them to vacate the property by June 30.
“We weren’t expecting a sudden eviction order… especially in the current climate,” Okanagan School of the Arts executive director Kim Palmer said.
Prior to the pandemic, the downtown Penticton not-for-profit art school held a variety to courses for the public, put on events and rented out facility space. Now in its 60th year, it had to shut down all its operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic cutting the majority of its revenue streams.
The School of the Arts has let the Shatford Centre building for $1 a year from the School District for the last 10 years. The art school pays the utilities bills and maintenance which MacIntyre estimates costs $6,000 to $7,000 a month. Over the last decade, the organization has put around $2 million into the 99-year-old building.
MacIntyre wouldn’t give a precise figure of what was proposed but said it would see the School District cover the bills and some wages.
“We felt it was a pretty fair number,” he said. “We thought (it) would be probably less than it would cost SD67 to take over the building themselves because there is a lot to deal with in that building…. They’re going to have to pay (the bills) anyway.”
MacIntyre said the proposal put forward for the reduced costs would only have been temporary until classes and programs could restart and they could present a viable business plan and look at signing another five-year lease.
MacIntyre said the School District’s decision was a real disappointment and he was upset at having to shut the building down and seeing all the work the organization did go “out the window.”
“With a moratorium on commercial and residential evictions in B.C. because of the pandemic, we did not expect this from SD67,” MacIntyre said.
A media release sent out by Okanagan School of the Arts said the organization now has the task of emptying the building which contains valuable and specialized equipment, pianos, commercial kitchen appliances, and a wide variety of art supplies.
Palmer said she didn’t know where the equipment would be stored or what the future held for the art school.
The Okanagan Skaha School District 67 was not immediately available for comment.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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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