Illustration: Panayiota, Age 14 / Republic of Cyprus
World Wildlife Day was March 3, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare celebrated the event with its annual International Youth Art Contest. Now, the winning artworks have been selected from a group of 15 semi-finalists. These selections were made from over 3,000 entries submitted from 141 countries and sovereign areas. The theme of this year’s competition was “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation,” and subjects of the entries featured species that are monitored by tech like camera traps and tracking devices. Check out the impressive 15 finalist entries here.
Illustration: Isaac, Age 4 / Hong Kong
An illustration of a den of snakes. These snakes won the “Traditional art medium” category of the competition, as well as the “Best in ages 4-6″ category.
Illustration: Panayiota, Age 14 / Republic of Cyprus
The axolotl is a tissue-regenerating salamander native to the waters of and surrounding Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City. The animals are endangered in their natural habitat, and are in vital need of conservation.
Illustration: Ridhaan, Age 4 / Republic of India
A couple of forest elephants under a lush green canopy.
Illustration: Shaurya, Age 8 / Republic of India
An adult elephant and calf walk alongside a water body in the savanna.
Illustration: Petros, Age 17 / Republic of Cyprus
A fox on a snowy landscape was one of the digital art entries, and a contest semi-finalist.
Illustration: Yanjun, Age 15 / People’s Republic of China
A pair of wolves depicted in a snowy, mountainous environment, the starry sky overhead.
Illustration: Rito, Age 10 / Kingdom of Thailand
This depiction of a group of pangolins was one of the contest semi-finalists. Pangolins are some of the most illegally trafficked mammals, due to the belief that their scales have medicinal properties.
Illustration: Kelly, Age 14 / Republic of Singapore
Two gorillas in an embrace as another juvenile looks on, in a dense forest environment. Gorillas are yet another species in dire need of protection.
Illustration: Jaxon, Age 12 / United States of America
This head-on view of an elephant showcases the animal’s formidable ears and distinctive trunk.
Illustration: Ashbert, Age 18 / Republic of Zimbabwe
A painting of a gorilla, one of the closest living relatives to humans and some of the largest extant apes.
Illustration: Arun, Age 16 / Republic of Ireland
This illustration depicts four puffins swimming underwater.
Illustration: Alika, Age 16 / Republic of South Africa
This illustration depicts an emperor penguin chick. Emperor penguins are the tallest and heaviest extant penguin species—though obviously, their chicks are a little lighter.
Illustration: Sangeun, Age 18 / Republic of Singapore
This vivid illustration of red-crowned cranes won the digital art category. In the foreground, several grands stand in shallow water, while the rest of the flock flies in the star-studded sky.
Illustration: Faith, Age 16 / Republic of the Philippines
An illustration of a jaguar wearing a tracking collar, leaping for a butterfly.
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.
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.
