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Art stolen from storage unit in Powell River – Powell River Peak

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An art theft in Powell River has resulted in the loss of nearly one-third of the collected pieces for a fundraising event.

According to Malerie Meeker, one of the volunteer coordinators of Art in the Attic, the fundraising event, planned by Powell River Hospice and Powell River Sunshine Gogos (Stephen Lewis Foundation – grandmothers to grandmothers campaign), was put on hold because of COVID-19.

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“Because of the generosity of our community, we had close to 300 pieces of art; most of it stored in a Gogo’s basement,” said Meeker. “In early June we were offered free space in a storage facility and we jumped at the opportunity. Trucks and vehicles carefully transported everything and we breathed a sigh of relief as we filled two units and carefully locked up.

“Sadly, sometime between then and a week ago, one of our units was broken into, and about 85 pieces of art were stolen. Although the storage facility had an electronic card entry door, there were no security cameras. We were not targeted; two other units were also broken into.”

Meeker said organizers have given the RCMP a file of the photos of all the stolen pieces. She said every few days, organizers will post individual photos of the missing artworks in the hope that they will be able to reclaim some of them.

“For those permanently gone, these pictures will be a reminder of a generous donor and a lovely piece of art,” said Meeker.

To view these pictures, search Art from the Attic 2020 on Facebook.

“Although this is a blow for us, we are firmly committed to fundraising for the important work of Powell River Hospice and Sunshine Gogos: coming in spring 2021 – Art from the Attic,” said Meeker.

She said both organizations had put in hundreds of volunteer hours collecting and cataloging each piece of art. She said every time a piece was received, the artist would be researched. Pieces were being posted on the Facebook page to create interest.

Because of COVID-19, the sale has been in a holding pattern. She said organizers had hoped to do a modified sale. Instead of a big gala event, they were looking at displaying pieces in display windows around town and taking silent bids over a series of several weekends. She said they may still go ahead with that plan.

Funds were going to be split between the hospice society and the Gogos. The hospice funds would remain in the community and some of the funds would go to supporting grandmothers in Africa.

“Hospice is struggling right now with their funding; it’s such an important service in our community and all of the Gogos could get on board with supporting hospice,” said Meeker.

She said the last time she spoke to the RCMP, there were no suspects or leads in the theft.

The fear is that the art has been loaded into a cube van and taken to the Lower Mainland to be sold in markets there.

Meeker said local artists have been very generous in providing works for the sale.

“It was the hardest having to tell our donors that their generosity was not going to be used in the way that anyone intended,” said Meeker.

If people want to donate to the cause, they still can. Arrangements can be made by going to facebook.com/GogosandHospice.

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

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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

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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.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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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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