Art

Art Gabor initiated bantam football to give young athletes a chance – BayToday.ca

Published

4 years ago

November 29, 2020

In 1958, when Chippewa Secondary School opened and many NBCI & VS students transferred to the new high school a bitter rivalry was born. NBCI & VS became ACS – Algonquin Composite School.

The official reason they called it Composite is because the school offered arts and science, commercial and technical disciplines. The down-low chatter was that A.S.S. would be misinterpreted on banners, signs, and school uniforms and jackets. Anyway, shortly thereafter Mr. Art Gabor, formerly of NBCI &VS and now the head physical education teacher at the new school, came up with the brilliant idea to create a new level of football. The ‘bantam’ level was created but only three high schools initially participated for the Art Gabor Trophy. Chippewa, ACS, and Mattawa were the teams.

See related: Art Gabor obituary

Of course, with a new school, the team had new equipment and uniforms and a beautiful practice field at the rear of the school. Our old school, ACS had old equipment, from the 40s I am sure, and not a regulation field to the side of the school bordered by the railway tracks, Bourke Playground, and houses on Jane Street.

If the junior or senior boys football teams were practicing on the school field the bantam team was relegated to the Bourke Playground.

I remember one practice where our full back, Brian Wiggins, came sweeping around the left end and I was playing defensive halfback. He went between me and the boards for the playground rink, so instead of tackling him, I body checked him into the boards. Both Frenchy Kennedy and Moe Drolet, who were the coaches for our team, started to laugh and asked me why I did that. I told them I figured that was the only way to stop Brian without me possibly getting slivers in my hands.

Maurice ‘Moe’ Drolet and Laurence ‘Frenchy’ Kennedy were senior football players in the technical program at ACS who took time out to coach us young and very inexperienced football wannabees.

There was no organized football until you got to high school and junior football went up to 16 years of age so you could be 13 and 5 foot 2 and 98 pounds, as I was in Grade 9, and be up against players 90 pounds heavier than you. So, by starting the bantam program, that increased the number of possible future junior and senior players who now knew the fundamentals of the game. Art Gabor was very forward-thinking in this respect.

Anyway, the 1961 ACS Bantam Football Team played two memorable games that I would appreciate you bearing with me for my remembrances of these two games.

The first game was against the Mattawa High School and the game was played in Mattawa. Mr. Norm Grant was the assigned teacher to accompany the team on the rented bus as Moe and Frenchy were students and could not be officially assigned the duty of responsibility for all team members.

We arrived in Mattawa and were not permitted to go into the school to dress. We changed on the bus and the game got underway. Algonquin ran up 56 points and Mattawa had not had a sniff at our goal line.

A lot of our players were playing both ways so I approached the two captains, Roger Bowness and Brian Wiggins, and suggested we let Mattawa score a touchdown. I do not believe they had scored any points that year to that point.

Everyone was in agreement except for my defensive secondary partner, who we shall call player X. He was one of our offensive half backs and he stated that the Mattawa players were trying to gouge his eyes, pulling the hair on his legs and the centre for Mattawa, who had a ‘steel’ helmet was trying to pile drive player X into the ground every time there was a pile-up.

Anyway, on the next play, we let the Mattawa ball carrier go through the line and as he made for the goal line, player X tackled him. On the next play, we had to tackle player X so Mattawa could score. They did and the game ended up 56-6.

After the game, the high school facilities were opened to us and there was even a small food and drink offering made available. This was a good life lesson in sportsmanship that team sports teach young players.

We could not beat Chippewa in the two regular-season games we played them. They had big Dusty Marshall at fullback, Gordie McGuinty was their quarterback and Bill Johnson was their swift back fielder.

We got into the final game for the Gabor Trophy, which we had won the year before, and we were bound and determined to beat Chippewa that day. We did not have a home field but Chippewa had won all of their games so the game was played at Chippewa on a very cold and windy afternoon in late October.

No one could score in that game and there was very little time left on the clock. The Chippewa team had the ball on our 20-yard line. Their kicker, Alan Gray, booted the ball past our goal line about 10 yards deep. Our player, Sid Price, caught the football and booted it back out into the playing field. I believe Alan Gray retrieved the ball and booted it back into the scoring area. Again, Sid Price fielded the ball and tried to run out of our end zone. He was tackled about two yards deep in the end zone and we lost the game 1-0.

Those were two very memorable games that went different ways but were enjoyable just the same.

The player for Mattawa with the steel helmet was well known in sporting circles in and around North Bay. His name was Corky Lessard and he played with only one arm – both football and fastball.

Player X will not be named but I will give you a big hint of who he is: He was a very fast-skating right winger for the North Bay Trappers Junior teams in the mid-60s and he scored eight goals on Espanola Eagles goalie, Paul Menard, one Sunday afternoon I believe in 1965.

Sadly, our two coaches, Maurice ‘Moe’ Drolet and Laurence ‘Frenchy’ Kennedy both passed away in vehicle accidents in their very young years. I will never forget them for their generosity of time and expertise in mentoring some young football players.

Our Captain in 1961 – a more than wonderful guy – also passed away at 16 years of age. Brian Wiggins was not with us too long but he was a joy to know and a very good guy in all respects.

Story originally posted in the A Bit of the Bay nostalgia Facebook Group, republished with permission from author Brian Darling.

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Art

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

Published

3 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

4 weeks 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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