Art
Ashcroft Art Club holding virtual art show starting on June 15 – Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal
For the first time in its 53-year history, the Ashcroft Art Club Show and Sale had to be postponed this year, and while members of the club are still hoping there might be a “live” show later in 2020, a virtual art show will be taking place starting on Monday, June 15, proving that art — like life — will find a way.
Marianne Munro, secretary of the Art Club, says that the idea for a virtual show came from club president Heidi Roy.
“We’d planned a regular meeting to do planning for the art show, but had to cancel that because of COVID-19. Then we got to thinking that perhaps we needed to look at postponing the show, because we have more than 50 show up on opening night, so how do we do social distancing?
“We made the decision to postpone the show, not cancel it. Club members started talking about maybe booking a show for September, but we thought that the danger of doing that would be having to keep cancelling it. Heidi is very tech literate, and involved with our website, and she came up with the idea of a very simple art show online.”
Roy says that the idea came to her because people were telling her how much they would miss the show.
“People said they looked forward to it. It’s an important annual event. The artists have been busy painting, and wanted to show their work, and we wanted to spread some positivity. There’s a lot of negative news, so we wanted to spread some art for a bit of happier news.”
Munro says the next step was talking to the artists to find out who was interested in a virtual show and who was able to submit work; something a few artists had reservations about.
“Taking pictures of art is tough. Some people do a good job, and some don’t. Lighting is the biggest thing when photographing art. In one of my paintings the colour was orange in the actual artwork but it looked coral in the picture.”
Munro and Roy sent out some simple instructions, and were able to help artists with fixing and cropping pictures. “We said we’d go and take pictures for them, but most people were able to send them,” notes Munro. “We left it open to everyone.
Eleven artists will be taking part, with one major difference between the virtual and live shows being that each artist can only submit a total of three works, as opposed to the 10 they can usually submit. “We’re not sure how long we’ll be keeping the paintings up,” says Munro, noting that as with the regular show, the works on display will be available for purchase.
“Depending on the feedback, we could keep it up all summer, and if we sell one painting we could put up another. We’re kind of winging it. It’s new to us and certainly new to our artists. If people like it, who’s to say we can’t have items online even when we have the [regular] art show.”
A link on the Ashcroft Art Club website’s front page will direct people to the gallery, which will include information about each work, such as the title, name of the artist, size, medium, and price, as well as a link to the artist’s website if applicable. Anyone interested in purchasing an item can do so via a form on the website.
“It would be great to make sales, but we’re mostly just trying to provide positivity at this time,” says Munro. “People have said they missed the art show, and asked when can we have one or when will we be able to have one. It will be something to see when you’re at home.”
Munro says she has “absolutely” been painting during the pandemic. “When you’re an artist you want to just paint. I’ve taken some online courses, and my daughter is an artist as well, so we’ve been doing some challenges online. I know a lot of artists have been doing work or taking workshops, keeping up with their art. I think it’s in us.”
Marilyn Anderson is another artist who didn’t stop painting during COVID-19. “I have three pieces [for the show] that I’ve never shown before, but it was difficult to go from 10 down to three,” she says. “I’ve got quite a few new pieces, and was very happy to hear we were doing a virtual show.”
Anderson is submitting three larger pieces, one of which depicts Indian war horses: her first time painting an Aboriginal subject. She says that she’s gone back to painting animals after doing landscapes for a while, and has been working on a series of artworks that can be put together or shown separately. This will be her second appearance at the Ashcroft Art Show, after making her debut there in 2019, when she was named a runner-up in the People’s Choice category, and she’s looking forward to having a display of her work at the Sidewalk Gallery in Ashcroft in October.
She admits that getting pictures of her works to submit for the online show was a challenge.”Natural light is what makes for the best picture, but it wasn’t so much the lighting as getting the artwork completely flat so it wasn’t distorted in any way. But I think that having a virtual art show is great.”
Roy says that while she hasn’t done much painting in the last couple of months, she had done a lot over the winter in the months leading up to the art show, traditionally held at the end of April. “People look forward to displaying their works, and getting submissions from members. It was difficult to just pick three.”
However, she agrees with Munro that if a number of works sell, they can look at swapping them out with new works. “And we’re still holding out hope for a show, so we’re holding back work for the fall. It’s wait and see, because no one really knows what’s happening with regulations [about gatherings], and we like to have works that haven’t been seen before. If we had all the works in the virtual show, then if we did have [an actual show] in the fall people wouldn’t have many new works to show.
“But it depends on the club and on scheduling. Fall could be busy with events that have been put off going ahead.”
Roy says she hopes that the virtual art show will be an exciting opportunity for the community to see art virtually, if not in person, and Munro agrees.
“We thought this would bring a little light,” she says. “That’s all we can do, and we’re excited about it. It’s pretty new and pretty different.”
The Ashcroft Art Club’s Virtual Show and Sale will go live at 6 p.m., the traditional opening time for the annual show, on Monday, June 15. For information and to view the gallery, go to the Ashcroft Art Club’s website at http://www.ashcroftartclub.com/.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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.
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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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