Art

Arts groups want to dress up downtown with public art – Campbell River Mirror

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2022

Now that Campbell River is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and welcoming residents and visitors back to its downtown core, local arts organizations think it’s time to spruce the place up with a little public art.

“I think pride of place is key for community development,” said Ken Blackburn, executive director of the Campbell River Arts Council and program manager for the Museum at Campbell River. “I think we should treat our community like we do our homes. And we know that we plant flowers, we know that we paint walls, we know that we decorate, we change furniture, we encourage kids to get involved in activities. I mean, we should be treating our community the same way.”

Blackburn was talking about revitalization of downtown Campbell River’s cultural district at a city council Committee of the Whole meeting April 26. The organizations he works for appeared before council to appeal for city support for initiatives to dress up the downtown core, focusing specifically on the area involving the Tidemark Theatre, the library courtyard and the the Campbell River and District Art Gallery – all centred by a stretch of Shopper’s Row.

“We would probably all agree that what we really need to do is talk about arts, culture and heritage in a city-wide sense, especially looking at our entry points through Willow Point, the Seawalk, into Campbellton, in the downtown and how they operate together to create an impression of the community,” Blackburn said. “But it’s not what we’re going to talk about today, we’re going to focus very specifically on what the photograph shows: the Spirit Square-library-Tidemark-(art) gallery precinct.”

Blackburn said his presentation is a reflection of what Campbell River’s key cultural organizations have been discussing for a year now and which is becoming more urgent now that things are are opening up at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, all indications are that 2022 will be a busy tourist season and people are anxious to get back out being more social and participating in community activities.

“I certainly know that from programming at the museum, we’re being overwhelmed with people signing up for everything that we’re offering. So I think we’re in for a very busy 2022,” Blackburn said.

With people emerging from their COVID cocoons, the downtown arts organizations – and Blackburn was accompanied by representatives of the Downtown BIA who have an interest in this issue as well – want to use spaces available in the downtown core to present an image of what the heritage and culture of the community is. Blackburn was talking specifically about the Tidemark Theatre’s facade (street-facing walls), walls of the courtyard between the Tidemark and the library, the poles providing the backdrop to Spirit Square’s stage and the square itself.

Ideas for using those spaces involve banners, murals and other imagery.

“And we really are stressing that the content reflects the community. This is local work. This is identified as our culture. It can be heritage photographs, as well can be children’s art, school art, or professional artists. But we want it to reflect the community and it works within the context of the activity which we see there – live streets, Spirit Square, markets, music in the square, the gallery, library, Tidemark, all have programming,” Blackburn said. He added that First Nations cultures need to play a significant part in this.

But Blackburn said, there is a bit of a time constraint with spring already underway. There is a need to be ready by the time summer hits.

“We’ve got a window of a couple of months,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn estimated that it would cost between $25,000 and $40,000 to accommodate what they had in mind.

The concept had support from city councillors. Coun. Claire Moglove said the downtown has fallen “into a bit of disrepair.”

The public art touches not only on the whole concept of community pride but also its relationship with tourism, Moglove said.

Councillors referenced cities of a size similar to Campbell River they’ve visited that are “full of public art.” Moglove mentioned Anchorage, Alaska and Kyoto, Japan.

“We need to show our best to visitors,” she said.

Coun. Colleen Evans was of the same mind, “I really believe that when we invite people to come into our community, it’s such a great opportunity to tell our story. And right now we have these blank canvases that are available for us to tell those stories, whatever that looks like. So I love the idea of animating the downtown there’s nothing greater than, more energizing than to walk around a beautiful space that has you know, placemaking in it for art.”

A motion put forward by Coun. Moglove was passed to authorize spending up to $40,000 for these downtown initiatives with funding sources to be determined and identified in the May 9 council meeting.

Art Arts and culture Campbell River

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Art

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

Published

5 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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