Art

Art from Pucks – BlueJackets.com

Published

3 years ago

February 14, 2022

It all usually happens in a blur. Before any NHL game, teams take to the ice for warmups, and as some 20 players from each side burst onto the rink, so too does a flurry of pucks that bounce and carom around the playing surface after the first few skaters knock the rubber discs off the boards that sit in front of the players’ bench.

But before this explosion of energy, if you look a little more closely, there’s something else to see: it’s art. Made out of pucks. And it’s all thanks to Jesse Potts, one of the Kraken’s locker room attendants.

Potts is one of five attendants who work with the team on game nights. The attendants help set up the locker room, bench areas and penalty boxes prior to any game. They make sure that all the necessary equipment is in place. That includes everything from Gatorade, sticks and tape to a stack of 50 warmup pucks.

When the crew started stacking the pucks for preseason games, they used a classic pyramid formation. But then, creativity took over.

“We were just thinking how it would be cool to do puck art,” Potts said. “We weren’t sure if we would be allowed to at first but then we got the clear from (head equipment manager) Jeff (Camelio).”

Camelio was happy to give the green light. He’s worked with teams at all levels of men’s hockey, including the ECHL, AHL and NHL, and says puck art is something that every staff tries to do whether it’s mimicking other ideas they’ve seen or even trying to one-up what other teams build.

“I said yeah, go ahead, go crazy,” Camelio said. “As long as we have the correct amount of pucks for warmups, you guys can do whatever designs you want.”

Permission granted, the team got to work. A software developer by day, Potts had already seen a bunch of different design ideas on the internet. First, he built an anchor. After that, a ribbon to mark the Kraken’s Hockey Fights Cancer game at home.

Excited at what they were able to build, Potts set his sights on a new and challenging idea – could he build the iconic Kraken “S” logo out of pucks?

“An ‘S’ made out of pucks is really hard,” Potts said. “It took a few iterations to get right. I spent time during the day plotting it out in an Excel worksheet just to theorize what could possibly work; and I have about 13 pucks at home, so I didn’t have enough to do the full 50 but I was doing small portions of it on my desk to see if it would hypothetically hold up. I finally got it to work eventually, and that was fun.”

Now, whenever inspiration strikes, Potts and the rest of the attendants will build something with a Kraken flair as that game’s puck art. There’s been a version of the Space Needle, and even when a new Seattle-specific idea doesn’t come to mind, the classic pyramid structure is a thing of the past, “We like to keep it fresh,” Potts says.

Even a tower of pucks will have a unique spiral twist, or a “cool looking” stack. Some ideas still do take some planning, but most of them come together in the equipment room before warmups. Then about an hour before game time, the equipment team will get to work building that game’s puck art on the boards.

“(Potts) is the ringleader for sure,” Camelio said. “And everyone is in the back saying, ‘yeah, I think we can do this,’ or ‘I think we should move this.'”

But helping out the equipment staff is more than just a gameday activity for Potts.

He says not enough people understand the work equipment managers do and he’s created an Instagram to share not just the puck art he and his colleagues build, but also behind-the-scenes views into all the work and support equipment managers provide to a team and an organization.

“What we do is very rewarding,” Potts said.

Instagram from @seattleequipment: Puck art of the day! ???? use #KrakenPuckArt to show us any puck art of your own #SeattleKraken #NHL #Hockey #PuckArt #SeaUsRise #AnchorDown

While Potts says he will likely stick with his software development career long term, hockey has been a passion of his for a while; and now with an opportunity to be even closer to the game, he’s loving every second of his time working with the Kraken. He even recently joined his first rec league hockey team.

So, the next time you’re in Climate Pledge Arena, get there before the players take to the ice. You might just see a little bit of art set up on the bench courtesy of Potts and crew.

“He has gone to the next level with designing puck art on the computer and then practicing them before he actually puts them out there, that’s for sure,” Camelio said. “He has been great.”

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Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

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.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

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.

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