Art

H’art Centre to host art exhibit to celebrate Canada’s freshwater resources

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2022

Jared Quinney | The Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts (Edmonton, AB) | Ravens in the River Valley | Acrylic on canvas (20×24)

H’art Centre is launching its national visual art exhibit, Connecting Canadians: Freshwater later this week. It will be the first public exhibit to be held in THE MIX, H’art Centre’s new 4,000-square-foot community outreach and gallery space adjacent to their 237 Wellington Street location.

“From the largest glaciers to the small tributaries that flow into tranquil freshwater lakes, colourful details come alive while you explore original work from inclusive art studios and allied arts organizations from across Canada,” the organization shared in a media release. “Together, the work of neurodiverse artists will celebrate freshwater and the way it connects us.”

Eve Johnson | National access Arts Centre (Calgary, AB)| Elbow | Acrylic on canvas (16×20). image via H’art Centre.

According to the release, there will be over 50 canvases and sculptures from artists representing: H’art Studio (Kingston,ON), New Leaf Link (Harrowsmith, ON), Being Studio (Ottawa, ON), The Space (Vanier, ON), Creating Alternatives (Vaughan, ON), L’Arche Toronto’s-Sol Express (Toronto, ON), Reach Centre (Owen Sound, ON), Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts (Edmonton, AB), The National AccessArts Centre (Calgary, AB), Alternative Creations Studio (Vancouver, BC), and Cool Arts Society (Kelowna, BC).

Phillip R. | H’art Centre (Kingston, On) | Palomino Trout | Acrylic Ink & Paint Marker. Image via H’art Centre.

The exhibit launches at a private, by-invitation opening on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Connecting Canadians: Freshwater will then be open for public tours every Friday from October 28 to December 2nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals and groups can schedule a tour through the organization’s website: www.hartcentre.ca/events/ or by calling 613-545-1392.

H’art Centre said that the exhibit is sponsored by Bill & Nancy Gray. “We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Ontario Arts Council for this project,” the organization added. “It is also made possible by the many donors who recently supported H’art Centre’s expansion into The Mix.”

This national exhibit marks the culmination of a 2022 partnership with the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and to connect Canadians with the environment, inclusive arts, and our shared resources, according to the release.

As part of the 2022 partnership project, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston will launch their new community art installation developed by H’art Centre artist participants and the public during the Our Great Lakes: Celebrating our Freshwater Resource project. They will unveil the large-scale installation on Sunday, Oct. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 55 Ontario Street. The installation is designed to share connections with the Great Lakes and encourage you to make your own connections, according to the release.

The Community Foundation for Kingston and Area supported the Marine Museum’s project. For details about this installation event, visit www.marmuseum.ca/ourgreatlakes

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Art

A misspelled memorial to the Brontë sisters gets its dots back at last

Published

5 days ago

September 26, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.

More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.

The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.

They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.

“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”

It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.

Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.

“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.

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Art

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

Published

3 weeks 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.