Art

Hidden Gem: Finding connection through art at The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery

Published

2 months ago

July 13, 2024

This is part of an ongoing summer series. Come back each week to learn about another hidden gem.

For more than 30 years, The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery has been bringing some of the best art from across the country and beyond to Waterloo Region.

“We collect, exhibit and research clay and glass, as well as vitreous enamel,” Denis Longchamps, the executive director and chief curator, said. “One thing that’s important for us is that it’s a public gallery. We are free admission, so anybody can come and everybody is welcome.”

The gallery features about 15 exhibitions every year, often featuring multiple ones at once, throughout their building on Caroline Street North in Waterloo.

There’s also a permanent collection that contains about 1,500 pieces of ceramic, glass and enamel art.

“We’re always changing the exhibitions throughout the year,” said Peter Flannery, senior curator and collections manager. “That involves bringing in work by artists from across Canada and often internationally.”

Exhibits are planned three to five years in advance.

“We’re looking at which artists we want to include, what kind of themes and things might be relevant to the community, and then building with those artists that we select from across Canada to develop those exhibitions,” Flannery explained. “That often includes loaning pieces from other galleries or private collectors, and a lot of the time from the artists themselves – bringing them here, setting it all up, and then having the exhibition.”

Denis Longchamps, left, and Peter Flannery, right, are involved in deciding what exhibitions to bring to The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News)

Current exhibits

Flannery said deciding what themes to feature is a balancing act between what’s topical right now and what will still be relevant in a few years.

“It’s adapting to what’s going on in the community,” he said. “If we need to make changes, we try to do that to make sure we’re having things that the community wants to see, seeing themselves represented in the exhibitions and really telling important stories that aren’t being told elsewhere.”

There are a few exhibitions on display this summer. One is titled ‘Form and Reform.’

“It’s our major exhibition featuring works by Bruce Cochrane, who taught at Sheridan for many years and he’s really well known within the ceramics community,” Flannery explained. “It’s a really interesting way of working with ceramics, as well as architectural themes and styles.”

Part of The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery’s ‘Patterns that Bind Us’ exhibition featuring Hello Kitty glasswork. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News)

There’s also an exhibit called ‘Patterns that Bind Us’ which is part of the Emerging Talent Series.

“’Patterns that Bind Us’ features glassworks that relate to Priscilla Kar Yee Lo’s experience as an Asian Canadian and the ways that different stereotypes and standards are placed upon Asian women, and ways to break through those in kind of subtle and interesting ways using images like Hello Kitty as this kind of critique,” Flannery said.

Part of The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery’s ‘Patterns that Bind Us’ exhibition featuring Hello Kitty glasswork. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News)

Additionally, there’s a small exhibit called ‘A Better Tent City.’ It was created through the gallery’s Sharing Experiences program, which invites different community groups in to work with clay.

“We invited their clients and the staff to come and do a plate while sharing their experiences, so it was humbling to listen about homelessness, how they got there, and their wanting to go back into society,” Longchamps said. “I think art can play a big role in changing the perception of people, so sharing those experiences and having an exhibition, people can come and see and read about those experiences that people share with us. I think it’s creating awareness.”

A look at the A Better Tent City exhibition at The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News)

Connecting to the community

The gallery wants to appeal to people of all ages, backgrounds and interest levels by offering a variety of different programs. There are summer day camps, Saturday art activities, teen and adult workshops in September, and more.

“We try to connect with the community,” Longchamps said. “It’s a way for people to come and engage. That’s why we have sketchbooks on benches, because people can leave notes and leave their thoughts. Sometimes reading them is quite humbling as well, to see the baggage sometimes that people bring here, and to find hope or an answer to a question.”

Form & Reform exhibition at The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in Waterloo. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News)

Offering programming for children is something that holds personal significance for Longchamps.

“In my case, my art teacher in Grade 3 made all the difference because I didn’t feel that I belonged anywhere,” he explained. “I was not good in sport, I was not good in gym. I didn’t feel that I belonged. And then I found art as an outlet, and the art classes is where I was quite successful.”

He’s hoping to offer that same feeling to other kids.

“It’s giving them an outlet where they can express themselves and they can hopefully grow up and that stays with them. I think we need to start engagement with art at an early stage for people to understand it. It’s not in all schools’ curriculum anymore, so at least here they have a chance to engage with it and discover it and hopefully they’ll come back.”

Longchamps said he hopes everyone who walks through the gallery’s doors feels welcome and included.

“[I hope they] recognize themselves in maybe some of the displays we present,” he said. “Through the years, we’re trying to address different issues, different communities, different groups. We’re trying to bring voices that we don’t hear anywhere else through the arts.”

It’s also giving a platform to artists who might not get the opportunity elsewhere.

“I think we’re the only gallery in Canada that focuses on clay and glass, so it gives us a really unique opportunity to highlight artists that aren’t being shown in a lot of other galleries, and just do very creative exhibitions with their work,” Flannery explained.

With free admission all year round, this hidden gem has its doors opened for everyone.

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

Published

3 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

4 weeks 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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