Art
Ottawa Art Gallery kicks off online art auction with virtual VIP dinner parties – Ottawa Business Journal
Whether you’re in desperate need of a better background for your Zoom calls or wish to transform your blank walls into conversation starters, you have until Friday to submit your bids on new and original artwork available through the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Give to Get Art fundraiser.
The local arts organization is featuring 56 pieces of art that include paintings, photographs, mixed-media art, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, prints and jewellery. The works have been donated by emerging and established artists from the region.
The OAG has got fundraising down to a fine art when it comes to its popular auction, an annual event that normally attracts hundreds of art lovers and collectors for a night of silent auction bidding, combined with food, drinks and socializing. Who doesn’t have a bidding war story or two to share, such as that sneaky competitor who hovered over the auction sheet for too long and took for-ev-er to write down their bid as the final seconds ticked down.
The coronavirus pandemic has meant the OAG had to use its imagination in how to hold its event this year. Luckily, creativity is what Ottawa’s municipal gallery does best.
The OAG has been running a two-week-long Give to Get Art exhibition at its 50 Mackenzie King Bridge location. Purchasers of a $35 ticket can participate in the online auction, which got off to an exciting start during Saturday night’s official launch.
Fifty per cent of each sale goes back to the artist while the remaining half goes to the OAG to help with its free educational programs, tours, events and admission. Supporters heard how OAG is working with different community groups, such as BEING studio, which supports artists with developmental disabilities. It’s also collaborating with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre on a program that uses the visual arts as a wellness tool in mental health.
“We all know the COVID pandemic has hit many sectors hard, including the cultural sector,” Alexandra Badzak, CEO and director of the Ottawa Art Gallery, said in her video message to thank patrons for their support of the gallery and artists, during Saturday night’s VIP auction launch.
An integral part of most fundraisers is social interaction. Several members of the OAG board hosted virtual dinner parties that evening. A total of 74 dinners were prepared by My Catering, which is the new in-house caterer for the art gallery. The four-course meals included drinks from Bar From Afar and Dominion City Brewing Co. Participants also had access to early bidding.
Badzak dropped into the parties, via Zoom, to meet the guests and introduce them to Laurena Finéus, one of the five 2020 Critic’s Choice winners and a graduate of uOttawa’s fine arts program. She called Finéus an “extraordinary” artist and the youngest to be recognized as a Critic’s Choice. Badzak also described her sizeable painting as stunning.
“You’re very much drawn into it,” she added.
For their first stop, Badzak and Finéus visited Ottawa Art Gallery board secretary Barbara Uteck and her guests, all of whom were connected through Zoom, as well.
Uteck had already gone to view the Give to Get Art exhibit in person at the gallery. She described the experience of seeing the new pieces as thrilling and uplifting.
“It was a feast for the eyes and for the soul,” said Uteck, whose husband, Graham Fraser, was seated next to her. Their guests included John Goldsmith, who’s retired from Canada Council for the Arts.
Hanging on a wall behind Uteck was a portrait, Back from Kandahar, by Ottawa artist Karen Bailey, who was formerly in the Canadian Forces Artists Program. Bailey has a painting in the 2020 Give to Get Art auction.
Dinner host Jane Clark, who’s also on the board of the OAG, dined with her husband, Tom Clark, and their charming daughter Jill Clark, manager of communications at the Rideau Hall Foundation.
Jane spoke about how the Ottawa Art Gallery, which was transformed a few years back into a state-of-the-art facility, is not only an important cultural hub for artists but also builds bridges with diverse communities.
“We do call ourselves ‘the home for the arts’ and we take great pride in that,” she told OBJ.social.
Daughter Jill had her eye on a few pieces, including Fiona Khaemba‘s City Girl digital print. She relied on a smartphone app to keep track of incoming bids.
“It’s like online gambling,” she joked.
Among their guests were Andre Albinati, principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, and his wife, Corianne Bell. She said the virtual group dinner experience was “refreshing” compared to the bevy of video conferencing she’s been doing during the pandemic.
“It’s really fun to see different groups of people on the screen and have entirely different conversations,” said Bell, a therapeutic music consultant.
Art helps to connect people, Albinati chimed in.
Relatively new to the OAG board is Melanie Adams. Best known for her successful career in the healthcare sector, she has an appreciation for visual artists thanks to her children, both of whom are creatively talented.
“To have these kinds of institutions available to us at no charge in Ottawa is such a gift, such a gift,” said Adams, who also commended the OAG for offering positive, social programs for community members. “It really does fit with my personal set of values.”
Adams, who was joined by her husband, Steve McBurney, hosted such guests as philanthropists Carey and Nancy Garrett; former Shopify CFO Russ Jones; and Bruce Raganold, director of business development for Welch LLP. He and his wife, Giselle Bergeron-Raganold, are such a fun-loving couple. They dressed in 1950s attire, in keeping with their tradition of getting dressed up every Saturday night.
KPMG tax partner Cliff Taylor, who serves as treasurer of the OAG board, was having a proud dad moment that night. He displayed his 17-year-old daughter’s artwork so prominently that he practically cropped himself out of the meeting window. The budding young artist has been taking lessons with artist Katherine Muir Miller, who has a gallery in Perth.
Along with Finéus, the other Critic’s Choice winners were Rosalie Favell, Josée Dubeau, Marisa Gallemit and Jake Riseborough of BEING studio with Christopher Griffin. They were selected for their stand-out pieces by a jury made up of members of the community. The jurors were Tam-Ca Vo-Van, director of Galerie SAW Gallery, Rosey Edeh, filmmaker and co-anchor of CTV Morning Live Ottawa, and Linda Grussani, art historian and Indigenous Art curator.
The Give to Get Art auction closes 5 p.m. Friday. As of Monday morning, the auction was more than halfway toward reaching its fundraising goal of $45,000. There’s also an option for bidders, empty-handed or not, to make a donation to the gallery.
— caroline@obj.ca
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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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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