The employees of Coca-Cola Canada Bottling are so proud of a new public art installation in front of the Chatham plant, two parking spots are being designated so people can stop and look at it.
Art
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling employees create sculpture for community to enjoy
Plant manager Rene Lapointe said Coca-Cola Canada Bottling, which serves Canada with new and refurbished coolers and fountain pop equipment, is “committed to making a difference in the local community where we operate.”
He said the art installation, which also features LED lights that can be programmed for every special occasion from Christmas to Pride Week, was designed to “deliver optimism” to those living, working and visiting Chatham-Kent.
Prior to Monday’s unveiling, he recalled bringing up the initiative during a corporate visit with Coca-Cola Canada Bottling, noting within three weeks the local company already had a plan in the works.
The mayor said the municipality is talking with a number of businesses and organizations looking to do public art installations.
In the next few years, Canniff hopes to see up to 40 of these types of art installations across the municipality becoming a tourist attraction.
“This is not just a sculpture,” Canniff said. “You should be proud of what you’ve done.”
Canniff predicts when looking back, the local company’s art installation will be seen as being on “the ground floor” of an arts and culture renaissance in Chatham-Kent.
He added two parking spots are being designated at the plant for people to stop and look at the art work.
Lapointe said the size of the resin bottle was no small feat to create, adding he worked with a Quebec company called Magic Resin.
However, he said, “They couldn’t help very much, because they said, ‘Nobody’s ever made a resin cast that big.’”
The bottle mould had to be put in a large cooler because it had to be done in three to four pours, since the resin got so hot, Lapointe said.
“I slept over three nights watching it,” he said.
He added he was getting up at 4 a.m. he was up stuffing bags of ice under the mould trying to cool it down.
Long-time employee Randy Stoddard said the project was a collaborative effort with fellow employees.
He said it took about four months to create the resin bottle for the artwork, adding it was a learning process all along.
“We had no specs, we had to make our own specs of everything,” Stoddard said.
He said they made a fibreglass mould using a recycling bin they had at the plant and went from there.
Looking at the finish product, Stoddard, who admitted he can be too picky at time, said, “I like it.
“I’m amazed it’s an almost five-foot Coke bottle and it’s made out of something we usually use for glue,” he said.
In keeping with the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, local employees chose the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation to receive a $10,000 donation as part of the corporation’s commitment to donate $250,000 to local charities across Canada.
On the business front, company CEO Todd Parsons reminded local employees of a promise he made that “once we get the business to where it needs to be, you’re going to see us investing hard to grow (the plant) and make it more successful and thrive.”
He said there are a number of projects being looked at for expanding production in Chatham-Kent.
“We’ve been considering what that might look like for shipping coolers into the U.S. with other bottlers that were part of a network,” Parsons said.
He said the local facility was expanded last year to take on soda fountain business, which includes the bar guns, soda fountains, dispensers all being serviced out of the Chatham plant.
“One of the things you have to do to run a great business is invest in people,” Parsons said. “When you invest in people then they’re part of the business for the long-term.”
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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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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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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