Art

Made you look: Here's why there's an art to campaign signs at election time – CBC.ca

Published

4 years ago

January 24, 2021

Suddenly, they’re everywhere.

They’re atching your eye as you drive through a busy intersection, popping up on lawns and street corners, calling out for your attention — and your vote.

As soon as the provincial election was called, candidates got busy putting up campaign signs. But each sign has to compete with other signs that a voter may see on a given day, including countless signs that have nothing to do with the election.

There’s an art to making your sign stand out.

We asked three experienced candidates to share their tips for making a great campaign sign. David Brazil is a PC candidate running his fifth campaign, Siobhan Coady is a Liberal candidate on her sixth run, and Sheilagh O’Leary is an NDP candidate, also running the sixth campaign of her career.

All about the name

Our three candidates may disagree on the issues, but these veterans are unanimous on the most important part of a campaign sign: the name.

“Making sure your name is bold and big, because of course you want it to correspond with the name on the ballot,” said Coady, who has won federal and provincial elections during her career. “So you want to make sure the last name is really well established on the sign.”

Siobhan Coady has run in three federal elections and three provincial elections. (Zach Goudie/CBC)

Brazil seconded that.

“The key thing is your last name,” he said. “Your first name is not as important. When people start thinking about, in a general conversation, who they’re going to vote for, generally it’s the last name that comes up.”

O’Leary — currently the deputy mayor in St. John’s — agrees the name should be prominent, but says it doesn’t have to be the last name. On her signs, she puts her first name in bold.

“I think people know me as Sheilagh. I think Sheilagh is more personable.” she said.

Keep it simple

A candidate may be tempted to squeeze as much info onto a signs as possible. But O’Leary, a professional photographer, says clutter can muddle the message.

“The information needs to go out in other sources. You just need to get the name recognition out there at this stage of the game,” she said. “With the flyers and the other supportive materials, the web sites, that’s how people can mine down and find out what’s going on.”

Brazil agrees it’s best to keep it simple.

“You don’t want a big story board that people gotta read, because that’s not what this is about,” said Brazil. “You don’t want to interfere with their — if they’re driving for example, that they take their eye off the road.”

At most, Brazil says a campaign sign can make room for a few small embellishments.

“Sometimes you put the graphic, sometimes it could be a little catch-phrase, it could be your picture attached to it. It could be the way the lettering is done. So you try to look at what catches people’s eyes.”

Colour scheme

The colours of a campaign sign are another way to catch eyes, but they also convey a political message.

“When we’re talking about partisan politics, we’re talking about brands. So there are existing colour schemes,” said O’Leary. The orange background on her signs quickly lets voters know that O’Leary is an NDP candidate. Coady’s signs are mostly Liberal red, Brazil’s signs mostly PC blue.

To see our candidate’s sign-secrets in action, check out the video below.

Bold names, bright colours, and of course, location. Three candidates share their tips for an eye-catching campaign sign. 2:49

But using bold, bright colours also makes a sign more visible, which can be helpful during a campaign leading to a mid-February election.

“You really want to have a very vibrant colour,” said Coady. “You want to have it so that it stands out against the background. Especially in winter, you want it to stand out against white.”

Location, location, location

Just as there is an art to crafting a campaign sign, there’s also a strategy for where to place them.

Brazil says that high-traffic intersections are the best spots for the largest, most expensive signs.

“For example, right here, this takes in 70 to 80 per cent of my traffic volume,” said Brazil, pointing to a large sign at a busy spot on Portugal Cove Road.

PC candidate David Brazil is running in his sixth election. (Zach Goudie/CBC)

Coady says there’s a cumulative effect to putting up many signs in a given area, and adding more throughout the campaign.

“You also want to make sure you have some momentum,” she said. “Building your signs around the community is also part of that strategy.”

For O’Leary, a small sign in someone’s front yard sends the biggest message.

“These are the ones, in my opinion, that matter,” she said, hammer in hand. “The ones that you nail into the lawns of people who are supporters. And when you go around the neighbourhood and you see those, you know that, that’s a vote, that’s a vote, that’s a vote.”

A message in a flash

A political campaign may be all consuming for the candidates, but for most people, it’s just one of a million things happening in their daily lives. Smart politicians know they have precious few chances to make an impression, and to fight for a tiny slice of someone’s attention.

Having well-designed, well-positioned campaign signs can make the difference between being elected, and being overlooked.

Each of our three candidates say their signs need to deliver a message at just a quick glance.

“First of all, that my name is on the ballot. Second, that I’m here to work for them.” said Coady.

“I want them to know that I’ve represented them for the last ten years, and I want to continue to do that.” said Brazil.

“I want you to say, there’s Sheilagh O’Leary! I can call her if I have a problem.” said O’Leary.

On Feb. 13, we’ll find out if those messages were received.

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

Published

6 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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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month 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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