Art
Foundation borrows from artist Robert Bateman, encourages mental health recovery through art – The Globe and Mail
:format(jpeg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tgam/XPZ6Q7JIPJHVDMHKJ7EEB2E3UE.jpg)
The mental-health benefits of Nature Sketch – Wellbeing are twofold for the community: the opportunity to use art to examine and express your feelings, and the therapeutic act of making art.Kaitlin McManus/Bateman Foundation and Gallery
Tracy Xu walks around Victoria these days with an extra item stashed in her bag, a little sketchbook. When she has a bit of time, she draws. When she wants to express how she’s feeling, she draws.
“I’m still learning English so sometimes I couldn’t say the correct words. So I can draw … because it can show my emotion,” says Xu, who moved to Victoria from Shanghai in 2013.
“I never draw before, I never paint, I have no experience.”
Xu began making art and received that sketchbook through a wellness program run by the foundation started by Canadian nature artist Robert Bateman. Created during the pandemic as a response to isolation and depression, the initiative provides free therapeutic art programming to the community. It has been offering organized group sessions, drop-in sessions at the Bateman Gallery in Victoria and one-on-one private sessions over Zoom. This fall, Nature Sketch – Wellbeing won the B.C. Museums Association People’s Choice Award.
“So many times people have come in and by the end say ‘I just feel so much better,’” says art therapist Kaitlin McManus, who runs the program.
While Bateman himself isn’t personally involved, the program stems from his work as an artist, and his central philosophy: that being in nature is nourishing.
“If I was a missionary that’s what I would do – I would have everyone spending time out in nature. It has measurable benefits to your physiology and mental health and everything,” said Bateman, 91, during a recent interview from Salt Spring Island, B.C., where he lives.
The pandemic offering grew out of the foundation’s educational Nature Sketch program, where participants go out in nature in groups led by an artist and naturalist. They bring along a pencil and sketchbook and draw.
A 2021 research paper commissioned by the foundation found that most students reported feeling more focused after returning to the classroom “after a Nature Sketch intervention.” And that time outside, engaging in sensory activities like this program, may decrease stress, anxiety and depression.
“The research has found that this is a unique combination; that this does impact different areas of the brain and how mindfulness is promoted,” says foundation executive director Peter Ord. “And it speaks back to what Bob has been saying for decades.”
The mental-health benefits of Nature Sketch – Wellbeing are twofold: the opportunity to use art to examine and express your feelings, and then just the therapeutic act of making art.
“Drawing in this program is not to produce an artist; it’s a means of forcing yourself to look and to actually see and pay attention,” says Bateman.
For this program, the foundation has partnered with numerous community groups, many representing more vulnerable sectors. The group Xu belonged to was organized through the Inter-Cultural Association of Great Victoria (ICA). The women met Monday mornings at the Bateman Gallery on Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
It has been a lifesaver during an isolating time – a pandemic – for women in already isolating circumstances, living far away from loved ones back home, in a new country, where even their ability to express themselves can be challenging.
“English is such a difficult language to learn,” says Jennifer King, who co-facilitates the ICA program. King herself immigrated to Canada from Taiwan in 1993. “I understand. Sometimes we have so much we want to share and we just cannot find the words. So using this way, the drawing, we share how we feel.”
On that one horrible November Monday when the rain was coming down in droves and parts of the province were flooded and segments of highways obliterated in mudslides, King, who co-facilitates the group with the art therapist, figured the meeting that day might be a wash.
“And then they all came. In such horrible conditions. I was so touched. I thought, the participants must love this. There must be something there. In such horrible conditions to show up and draw,” says King. (One member of the group was unable to make it in that day.)
Svetlana Mir was one of the women who made it through the driving rain on that Monday. For her, the program has been a huge source of connection. “Because of COVID I felt very isolated and very lonely,” says Mir, who moved to Victoria from Moscow in 2015.
“I missed being around people. It was really nice to see other immigrants … and it’s been really great to connect again and just to see how we find strength in this time and share some art.”
For one exercise, they drew a tree of strength: Participants traced around their hands, then turned the drawing of their hand into a tree. “So your fingers are the branches and your arm is the trunk of the tree and you can create it into any kind of tree you want,” says McManus. Then they would write in the leaves things that bring them strength.
In another exercise, a wide piece of paper was folded over from both ends. On the outside, the women drew a safe or special place. Open the flaps, and on the inside they drew how that place makes them feel.
On Mir’s outside flaps, she drew a house overlooking a lake with ducks. And on the inside: a large, smiling sun, radiating warmth and happiness.
“It’s the feeling of connection the class helped to find,” Mir says. “Maybe life is horrible. But there’s always something good inside us. We have lots of love inside us.”
Mir and Xu’s Monday group has wrapped up, for now. But they’re both still making art. When they saw each other on Zoom during their interview with The Globe and Mail, they almost didn’t recognize each other – because the women had been wearing masks to all the meetings.
“My dream after COVID, whatever ‘after COVID’ is, is that we could have one big table in the centre and mingle with each other and work on projects together and make it even more of a community-building experience,” says McManus. “I can’t wait until it’s one big table.”
Sign up for The Globe’s arts and lifestyle newsletters for more news, columns and advice in your inbox.
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.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
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.
Bologna prepares for Champions League debut with draw at Como while Juventus held
Liverpool ‘not good enough’ says Arne Slot after shock loss against Nottingham Forest
Cavaliers and free agent forward Isaac Okoro agree to 3-year, $38 million deal, AP source says
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
-
Sports18 hours agoKirk’s walk-off single in 11th inning lifts Blue Jays past Cardinals 4-3
-
Sports18 hours agoCanada’s Marina Stakusic falls in Guadalajara Open quarterfinals
-
News24 hours agoKamloops, B.C., man charged with murder in the death of his mother: RCMP
-
Sports19 hours agoStampeders return to Maier at QB eyeing chance to get on track against Alouettes
-
News23 hours agoKingston mayor’s call to close care hub after fatal assault ‘misguided’: legal clinic
-
News24 hours agoS&P/TSX gains almost 100 points, U.S. markets also higher ahead of rate decision
-
Sports22 hours agoWhitehead becomes 1st CHL player to verbally commit to playing NCAA hockey
-
News19 hours agoMetro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal
