Art

Coventry Art Show at Griffin Coffee – Edgewater Echo – edgewaterecho.com

Published

4 years ago

February 20, 2021

You might have noticed the beautiful artwork on display inside Griffin Coffee at 5224 West 25th Avenue in Edgewater. Here’s our conversation with the artist behind the artwork, Max Fowler.

What inspired your artwork on display in Griffin Coffee?

I started the series this summer in the depths of the pandemic we are still navigating. It started with some quick character study paintings on black construction paper. I was intrigued by the results and wanted to explore what was possible so I kept going.

The paintings quickly evolved to tell a story of an art district, the Coventry neighborhood, in Cleveland/Cleveland Heights Ohio. I’d lived there before I got married and moved to Colorado and my band had a residency at the local venue. For decades the scene was vibrant and home to musicians, artists, college students, scenesters, and the like. But the pandemic was killing the neighborhood as it has some many things. Venues, night clubs, cafes and art galleries have hard hit as they rely on crowds and a social experience to work.

I wanted to document the feel of the neighborhood, the art scene, before it was lost forever. It was really one of the formative wombs of my adult being.

So the series tells the story of a day in the life of a neighborhood. From waking up hungover, adrift, and existentially alone through the rhythm of the day, morning brunch and writing at a cafe, to afternoon soccer amongst the bohemians, to the glories of the night, and finishing with the final contemplative cigarette of the night.

How long have you been painting? How did you get started?

I’ve gotten this question a lot recently. To be very precise, I’ve been painting for a grand total of 8 months now. Yep, this series represents my first crack at it.

I got started because I was painting some model figures as a hobby, which I’d only started two months prior. I needed an outlet for what I was feeling in the absolutely crazy 2020.

To be honest I was semi close to entering college as an art major as I’d taken every art class I could in high school but never really had the confidence and I was focused on my sporting career at the time. But I hadn’t picked up a paint brush in 26 years.

We noticed some soccer paintings in the collection. Why is that?

Soccer is just an intimate part of my life. It’s been my profession in one way or another my entire life and I really can’t separate myself from that sport. Funny enough I started out almost with the express intent to not do any soccer paintings, as something about them just don’t spark my interest. Now the atmosphere around the sport, or the humanity just on the fringes of the actual action, those are the stories I like to tell. It’s the same with stage actors, the play itself is the artistic format that it should be viewed, but backstage, or the personal struggles and triumphs, that’s interesting.

So the two in the show are telling those stories along the fringes of the main action.

Also, right next to the art district of Coventry was a refurbished football stadium turned into the local high school’s soccer stadium. In Ohio, all varsity sports are played at 7:30 pm under the lights. So the matches were actually attended to by the artists and musicians of the neighborhood. It made for wonderful cheep entertainment.

Plus there was a pick up game most Sundays and we were allowed use of the locker rooms and everything. Both those feelings are represented in the series.

What drew you to start a soccer club in the Edgewater area?

I started a soccer club in Edgewater for two reasons really. The first was a reaction to the political environment and discourse that really started to crest in 2016. I wanted to start a club that not only represented the community it called home, but also looked like it in all of its diversity. It’s really a statement that the community is actually stronger BECAUSE of the diversity we enjoy.

It’s a reflection of what I was taught that America was. It is an idea, a shared set of principles and ideals, and it is a meritocracy. The only question that matters is can you do the job.

The other reason was I wanted to give Edgewater something their own that could unite people whether or not they are interested in sport. The clubs exists to help give back to the community. And our greatest achievements and proudest moments will always be when we help our community. Whether it’s donating new Joma training jumpers to both the boys and girls varsity soccer teams at Jefferson High School, or selling our cup jerseys to raise money to help feed Edgewater residents with meals from Edgewater businesses, or working to raise money so the city can have better sporting venues for the community, that will always be our reason for existing.

You can learn more about the Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake here.

What do you love about the Edgewater area?

I love that Edgewater is an actual community, a small town tucked into a large city. It isn’t some suburban dystopia, a sea of identical beige houses where people never talk to their neighbors. It’s vibrant, accepting, and supportive. People walk places, talk to each other and share communal moments. The go to local establishments rather than Chili’s. And it has both working and middle classes, and a multitude of backgrounds and cultures and problem solving that makes the whole much stronger then the sum of its parts.

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Art

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

Published

6 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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Art

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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