Art
Parents fuming after Montreal-area teacher allegedly lists students’ art for sale online
An investigation is underway at a Montreal-area high school after multiple parents have alleged their kids’ art teacher has been taking drawings that they made in class and listing them for sale on several websites without their knowledge.
CTV News has spoken to two parents who say they are outraged after learning that their kids’ art is showing up online, seemingly for a profit.
One of the drawings made by a 12-year-old student who attends Westwood Junior High School in Saint-Lazare, an off-island suburb west of Montreal, has been listed for $151 on at least four different websites.
Her drawings and those of other fellow classmates appear on multiple items, including t-shirts sold for $55, coffee mugs for $41, and even iPhone cases, at $35 a pop.
“I’m extremely disgusted with this person. It’s extremely, you know, it’s unbelievable,” said the young girl’s father, Michael Bennett, in an interview.
Bennett said he learned about what happened when his two daughters came home from school on Wednesday and told him that a classmate stumbled upon the teacher’s website after searching his name on Google. That student went to inform another teacher, he said, and within minutes, word spread fast around the school about what they had found.
Both daughters’ artworks are listed for sale on various websites.
Joel DeBellefeuille says his 13-year-old son’s portrait, painted by a fellow classmate, appears on several items for sale, including mugs, t-shirts, and iPhone cases. (Source: 1-mario-perron.pixels.com)Bennett said the incident raises serious questions about ethics and the school’s screening process for the teacher, Mario Perron.
“Is this teacher asking for certain types of projects to be done to be able to sell them? Is he asking for these types of portraits to be done so it meets the market? I’m not quite sure on that aspect. However, I am not impressed at all with this person. I’m not impressed with the school, or the school board,” he said, adding that his two kids are also shocked.
“They feel cheated. ”
When reached by CTV News, the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) did not answer questions about how many students are implicated and what the teacher’s status is with the school board.
“The Lester B Pearson school board is aware of the situation and is taking these allegations very seriously. An investigation is underway so the school board cannot comment on this matter any further at this point, wrote Darren Becker, director of communications at the LBPSB, in a brief email on Thursday.
Another parent, Joel DeBellefeuille, said his 13-year-old son came home from school Wednesday with the same “unbelievable” story about his art teacher. He said his son found a portrait of him that was drawn by his friend and posted on one of the websites that appear to belong to Perron.
He calls it an “extremely troubling” case that the school needs to address.
“It’s unbelievable that he felt that he had the right to utilize and essentially exploit these children’s rights and their artwork for his own financial satisfaction,” he told CTV News.
According to Perron’s LinkedIn profile, he has been a full-time teacher at Westwood Junior since September 2019 and describes himself as a “multidisciplinary studio artist.” On his profile, he promotes his personal website — 1-mario-perron.pixels.com — which is where Bennett’s and DeBellefeuille’s children’s artwork can be found.
Perron has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Both parents said they believe there are dozens of students’ portraits on the teachers’ websites and are calling on the school board to take immediate action.
Philippe Brouillette, an intellectual property lawyer, said children, like anyone else, have moral rights to have their name associated with their work.
“When you’re the owner it’s a negative right, anyone else cannot do anything or copy your work unless you give them the right to do so. That’s what we call a licence. You would give them a licence to use your work or copy your work. Unless you give them the right to licence it you remain the owner of all the rights,” he said.
“In this case having the teacher or someone else putting their name would violate the copyright law.
With files from CTV News Montreal’s Denise Roberts
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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.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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