Lara Tomaszewska, Founder and CEO of ArtRow.Business Wire
From everyday sellers to professional artists’ studios, ArtRow offers direct access to expertly vetted historical and contemporary works.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Today, digital marketplace ArtRow launched its platform designed to democratize art transactions. By offering direct access to professionally vetted works, ArtRow provides an innovative, first-of-its-kind marketplace for all levels of buyers and sellers to make transparent and independent sales grounded in both market intelligence and art historical substance.
Founder Dr. Lara Tomaszewska, with over 20 years of experience as an art advisor, fine art appraiser, and art historian, has assembled a team of industry experts, including Natasha Mendelsohn, former Deputy Director, Private Client Group at Sotheby’s in London, UK, and Dr. Dorothy Barenscott, modern and contemporary art historian at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. At ArtRow, expertise underpins the sourcing and verification of all primary and secondary market sales, allowing buyers to be confident in making art investment decisions, regardless of prior experience.
“The art industry experienced a major transformation during the pandemic, highlighting the need for new art market models,” says Lara Tomaszewska, Founder of ArtRow. “As travel to art fairs halted and galleries shuttered, gallery and auction house online sales skyrocketed. This revealed an opportunity for a new digital platform where independent buyers and sellers could participate in art transactions through an easy-to-use marketplace model, and thus, ArtRow was born.”
The platform features both historical and contemporary artists from private sellers, including Canadian masters A.J. Casson and William Perehudoff, and renowned international artists like Jack Shadbolt, Susan Point, and Alexander Calder. ArtRow also sources directly from professional artists’ studios, with works by William Kentridge, Emily Young, and Marie Khouri. However, anyone is welcome to apply to sell their privately-owned artwork on ArtRow.
Sellers seeking professional art brokerage services must physically consign artworks to galleries or auction houses and sales often come with exclusivity agreements. ArtRow removes these barriers by providing an open platform for anyone to buy or sell artwork from their home, providing access to a new supply. The mediated marketplace structure provides a unique opportunity for artists to receive professional art services that have only been traditionally offered by galleries and dealers.
“ArtRow’s launch marks a significant milestone in the art market, ushering in a new era for both established and emerging artists,” says renowned Canadian artist, Jeremy Herndl, who specializes in landscape painting. “From the detailed descriptions of each piece of art to the team’s commitment to transparency, the platform not only promises to be a vibrant hub for art enthusiasts but also an avenue for independent professionals to present their work globally.”
All artworks from private sellers undergo a rigorous vetting process which includes thorough market research, a detailed condition report and a specialist’s analysis of the art and artist to ensure that every work is of aesthetic and monetary value. Prices range from $300 to $165,000, which allows everyone to find vetted works of art they love. For collectors who wish to buy or sell higher-value works, the platform also offers bespoke sales. ArtRow conveniently manages all aspects of the sale, from pre-purchase enquiries to shipping, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
“I see an exciting future,” Tomaszewska says, “Where anyone can experience art and participate in the art economy. A future in which we can hold the art world in our hands.”
ArtRow’s launch marks a significant milestone in the industry, paving the way for increased accessibility and trust in the art market. For more information about ArtRow, visit www.artrow.com.
About ArtRow ArtRow is a digital marketplace disrupting the global art market by empowering individuals to participate in independent art transactions. The company was founded in 2022 to address the demand for alternative sale mechanisms when physical galleries and events came to a standstill. With the help of its team of art historians and industry experts, ArtRow provides market intelligence and art historical expertise to help users make informed decisions and investments. By eliminating the barriers of traditional art sales, ArtRow is democratizing the process of buying and selling fine art through a transparent marketplace. Individuals can confidently navigate the art world and find pieces that inspire them. For more information about ArtRow, visit www.artrow.com.
LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.
More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.
The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.
They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.
“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”
It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.
Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”
Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.
“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.
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.
