Art

Artist Graham Coreil-Allen paints on streets for pedestrian safety

Published

9 months ago

December 27, 2023

On a patch of street where drivers used to pull up in front of a Hyattsville coffee shop to dash inside and grab their orders, bright blue coffee beans are now stenciled over rainbow blocks of color.

The message, reinforced by planters and plastic flexposts, is clear: This isn’t a space for cars anymore. The artwork spreads up the street and around the corner, where clouds and bands of red, orange and yellow mark out space at crosswalks and stripes beckon buses up to a stop.

The collaboration between officials in Hyattsville and Baltimore-based artist Graham Coreil-Allen is part of a growing movement to use art as a tool to promote pedestrian safety, an appealing option for cities looking for quick and affordable responses to a perplexing nationwide increase in fatalities.

“It helps establish this as a place,” said Coreil-Allen, 41, who seeks to turn streets into somewhere people on foot can enjoy rather than being only for cars to pass quickly through.

The number of people on foot killed by drivers in the United States has surged in recent years, with an estimated 7,500 deaths in 2022 — the highest figure in over 40 years. Plastic posts and swatches of color offer less protection than concrete barriers, and without hard data and clear federal guidance, some transportation engineers have been skeptical about turning to art as a safety measure. But the idea got a boost this month in an overhaul of a widely used design manual for streets, with federal transportation officials stating clearly that their guidelines don’t prohibit what they call “aesthetic surface treatments.”

“This is a win for sure,” Coreil-Allen said.

Federal transportation officials are taking a growing role in trying to protect pedestrians and cyclists. Federal highway officials said in a document explaining the design manual changes that they plan to study how street art could help, pointing to a report sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2022 that studied the effect of art installations at 17 locations in cities around the country. The study’s authors concluded that the projects were linked to a 50 percent decline in crashes involving pedestrians.

The update to the design guidelines, known as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, is part of that effort and includes updated standards for crosswalks and bike infrastructure. When it was released, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the aim was to help cities, counties and states “make it safer to walk, bike, and drive.”

The federal government also has new money to spend on the problem. The infrastructure law provided a $5 billion fund to help local governments design and build safer streets. The most recent round of awards went to 385 projects around the country, including $9.8 million for Mount Rainier, another Prince George’s County city. The project will tackle filling gaps in sidewalks, lowering speed limits and improving intersections.

A full-scale redesign and rebuild of a street with pedestrians and cyclists in mind might take years of planning and a budget in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but a project like the one in Hyattsville can be finished at a fraction of the cost.

But in the conservative world of traffic engineering, the idea of painting on streets has encountered some resistance. While many cities including the District are experimenting with the idea, the state highway agencies that control the busiest and most dangerous roads have been more hesitant, Coreil-Allen said.

The Maryland Department of Transportation said it would review the new sections on street art in the updated manual in coming weeks.

“The Maryland State Highway Administration strives to ensure a consistent and uniformly marked highway system that conforms to all applicable federal and state guidelines,” the department said in a statement.

Coreil-Allen integrates his work into more established ideas like extending curbs part way into a crosswalk to narrow the space people have to traverse, a technique called a “bump out.” Adding bright areas of color catches drivers’ attention and sends a signal that the street isn’t only somewhere for them to zip through.

“It provides a cue to the motorists to slow down,” Coreil-Allen said. The idea, he said, is to offer an interim solution until a permanent change can be put in place. Coreil-Allen has worked with communities around Baltimore, where he moved to earn a graduate degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art. As a student he installed a DIY crosswalk on a road near the college, posing as a construction worker at night. Then in 2013, the city commissioned an official project.

“It got me excited,” Coreil-Allen said. Within a few years he had launched a company and is now planning on hiring his first full-time employee.

He uses materials common in the road construction industry, working with suppliers able to produce coatings in the bright colors he needs. Stooping over the sidewalk, he can explain in detail about how different materials bind to the surface of a street and the pros and cons of each — a grasp of the technical aspects of his work that he said helps him relate to street maintenance crews.

The Hyattsville project was completed in October, and Taylor Robey, the city’s transportation manager, said so far the response has been positive.

“Asphalt art is exciting because it’s obviously nice to look at, it’s eye-catching, but there’s also been more recent studies showing it improves safety,” Robey said. “It’s a leap of faith sometimes, but in our experience with asphalt art, the community was excited to see something different.”

On a recent morning, Coreil-Allen stopped by to check out how the work was holding up after a few months exposed to traffic. People ambled through the quiet streets, color under their feet.

“You’re immersed in art,” Coreil-Allen said.

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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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Art

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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