Art

Lifetimes: Pat Bailey opened young minds through art – TheRecord.com

Published

4 years ago

June 22, 2020

Artist Pat Bailey was born Dec. 11 in Kitchener, some eight decades ago, though she always kept the year a secret, right up until her death.

“She used to say, ‘age is just a number and mine is unlisted,’” said friend Neil Johnston. “She was a unique person.”

Though Bailey might have been cagey about her age, she was not an egotist.

“She was very humble,” said her great niece, Kate Moffett. “Her opinions she would share with you but if she won any awards or accolades, she wouldn’t share.”

The youngest of three children, Bailey came from an artistic family. Her elder brother, Don Bailey, was a professional dancer in New York City when he died of leukemia in 1948. Her sister, Corinne Moffett, who died in 2013, was creative and several more artists would spring from the Bailey clan over the decades.

Her father, W.R. Bailey, managed a Kitchener rubber company. When Pat was a teenager, her father was asked to come to Edinburgh, Scotland to help establish a plant in a post-Second World War effort to revitalize the country’s industry. Pat and her mother, Dorothy, accompanied him and, for six months, Pat attended Scottish schools and made lifelong friends.

Returning to Canada to complete high school, Bailey went on to receive a teaching diploma from Stratford Normal School. Did she always want to be a teacher? Moffett doesn’t think so.

“Her friend was going to the teacher’s college,” said Moffett. “(For Pat) it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

What she hadn’t considered was where teaching would eventually lead.

“She really liked art and she found a way to integrate art much more,” said Moffett.

Bailey completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University. She began her career in Galt then moved to Toronto, working for two school boards, one as a master teacher where she was helping teachers in the classroom.

Then a wonderful opportunity arose. Bailey read about a new arts school that was looking for administrators.

In 1981, Bailey became the founding artistic program director for the Claude Watson School for the Arts, the first of its kind in Canada. The school was run by the Toronto District School Board, offering enriched arts programming to gifted students in Grades 4 to 8, headed by Johnston, the founding principal.

“That was the best staffing decision I ever made,” said Johnston, who remained friends with Bailey until her death.

She helped write the curriculum and used the programming to encourage and mentor students, exposing them to the arts so they would, in the future, become art supporters.

“Her goal for the school wasn’t to produce artists or performers,” said Moffett. “Her goal was to enrich learning.

“She was opening kids’ minds through art.”

Bailey’s career was focused on children, though she never married nor had children of her own.

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“She was fiercely independent,” Moffett said of her great aunt’s solo lifestyle. “She liked it that way, it was one of her quirks.”

Bailey was also less than domestic and used to joke she wouldn’t bother having a kitchen if it hadn’t already come with her Waterloo condo. Her life was about art.

“She was always working on something,” said Moffett, noting Bailey particularly loved painting portraits, often of family, friends or kids of friends. She was also inspired by natural landscapes.

After nearly a decade at Claude Watson, Bailey retired and moved to Waterloo but spent much of her time at her Sauble Beach cottage, where she built an art studio extension. Bailey had summered at that cottage with friends and family for more than five decades.

In Sauble, she was involved with the local arts scene, exhibiting in shows around the Lake Huron community. At home in Waterloo, she was an active member at the Button Factory Arts.

Though Bailey never taught adults, Johnston said she continued to inspire them in their artistic endeavours.

“She was quietly supportive with the encouragement she provided,” he said.

Johnston remembers when he first met her, in the art school’s group job interview. He wasn’t impressed because Bailey was so busy encouraging the nervous woman next to her, she didn’t try to put herself forward as a candidate. Johnston didn’t hire her and was surprised to see her turn up for the next job interview. This time she was laser focused and impressive.

After retiring Bailey did a lot of travelling and kept in contact with her many friends from around the world.

Johnston said it was well known that “when Pat makes a friend, she never loses that friend.”

Bailey died of cancer June 9, 2020. Three of her paintings remain unfinished.

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Art

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

Published

1 day 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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