Art

Huntsville Festival of the Arts gets Town's support for summer public art installations – Huntsville Doppler – Huntsville Doppler

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2022

Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with 30 shows and events lined up for its summer season.

Among those are several public art projects, including the return of the Group of Seven canoe murals and the popular Play Me, I’m All Yours piano.

HfA executive director Dan Watson was before Huntsville’s general committee seeking the municipality’s support via free use of public spaces for these projects.

“Our public art activities are…free and they’re an accessible point of contact that can spark the interest in appreciation in the arts, which is part of our mandate. We also feel that some of these public art activities enhance the visitor experience and Huntsville’s brand as a creative community and they contribute greatly to the cultural vibrancy of our town,” said Watson.

The art projects planned for this year are:

Group of Seven canoe murals: Artist Gerry Lantaigne, who initiated the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery, will lead a group of other local artists in the creation of seven more canoe murals between June 21‐26 in River Mill Park. The 2021 canoe murals will be on display in the park from June 1-30, followed by the new 2022 murals from June 27 through October 1.
Kareen’s wellie garden: This garden, featuring painted boots filled with flowers, was created by friends of Kareen Burns in her memory. Burns was a former member of the HfA board of directors and a strong advocate for the arts, in particular fringe activities. The boots will be displayed at the pergola gardens in River Mill Park from June 1 to October 1.
Play Me, I’m All Yours piano: A working piano will be painted by local artists Natasha and Naomi Banks, in a motif celebrating the HfA’s 30th anniversary. The piano is placed in Civic Square in front of the Algonquin Theatre from May 20 to September 30 for any passerby to play.

“We’re really thankful for the partnership that we have with the Town of Huntsville in so many respects,” said Watson. “It’s a model for how arts organizations and municipalities can work together.”

Several councillors expressed support for the projects, as well as the overall work the not-for-profit Festival does in the community.

“I truly believe these are the things that makes Huntsville punch above its weight,” said Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock, echoing a comment made by a friend who visited Huntsville and HfA’s Snow Village last winter.

Councillors Brian Thompson, Tim Withey, and Jonathan Wiebe also said they support the art initiatives.

“I want to thank the Festival and yourself for the things that you do, especially the free things you do for the community,” said Mayor Karin Terziano. “That’s a benefit to everybody and I think any way we can help with that, we should.”

Committee agreed to waive the park permit fees for these projects.

HfA has 22 shows scheduled at the Algonquin Theatre in July and August this year, noted Watson, in addition to shows at other venues and events in the community, including the return of Nuit Blanche North on July 23.

For more information, visit huntsvillefestival.ca.

HfA’s summer programming celebrates its 30th anniversary

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Art

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

Published

2 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

2 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.