Art

Philadelphia Museum Of Art Craft Show Returns With A Focus On Fashion

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2022

A fashion show for the rest of us. Forget haute couture and the runways of New York or Paris. A person could actually wear these clothes. Real people.

Real people can buy these clothes as well, direct from the designers, at the 46^th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show November 11-13. The event, held in-person at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, features an art to wear fashion show, “Real Looks: Simple to Sizzling,” taking place at 1 PM on Saturday the 12^th with clothing and accessories created by artists included in this year’s presentation.

“Fiber Wearable” is one of 13 categories of fine craft highlighted at the Show along with ceramics, furniture, jewelry, wood, metal, glass and more.

If mention of the word “craft” brings to mind old-timey creations from the late 19^th century Arts and Crafts Movement – a response to the Industrial Revolution – dark, frumpy garments, heavy, wooden furniture, butter churns, clunky shoes and dusty antique shoppes, think again.

“Within the category of ‘Fiber Wearable,’ clothing and art to wear have evolved to be more sophisticated, tailored and sustainable,” Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Manager Nancy O’Meara told Forbes.com. “Artists are adding a variety of materials – there is more of a use of found items, repurposing and recycling, i.e. yarn, fabric, glass, clay, etc. and incorporating or remaking into new forms.”

A countermeasure to “fast fashion” which has increasingly come under fire for its labor practices, waste and unsustainability. A 2020 report by Princeton University states that the fashion industry is responsible for more annual carbon emissions than international air travel and maritime shipping combined and consumes one tenth of the world’s water used for industry.

Beginning in the early 2000s, “fast fashion’s” churn and burn strategy of producing increasingly more and cheaper styles, hooking consumers into shopping for clothes like shopping for groceries, proved massively effective and equally disastrous to workers and the environment. “Fast fashion” has resulted in a 400% increase in the global consumption of clothing in just the last 20 years.

“Slow fashion focuses on work made by hand, incorporating a dedicated process, with artistic design and creation, using the highest quality materials,” O’Meara said. “The results are art to wear creations that will stand the test of time as opposed to more mass-produced fashion.”

Contemporary styles made to last, not made to be worn once and thrown away.

Fashion by Valerie Mayen. Mayan is participating in this year’s Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft … [+] show in the “Fiber Wearable” category.

Valerie Mayen

Up close with the artists

More than 500 artists from across the United States apply for 195 available spots in the Show. Each submits digital images of their work to a panel of five judges, experts working in fields connected to craft and design.

All artists are on site at the Show during all show hours, presenting their newest work, giving attendees an opportunity to meet the makers, learning more about their backgrounds and methods. Every item on display is for sale and the artists receive 100% of their sale proceeds.

“Each piece is unique and has a story to tell. Understanding the process and passion behind each individual work of art makes a difference,” O’Meara said. “Having the chance to meet and speak with the artists creates a story that gives buyers a bridge from artist to art to utilizing or displaying the crafts in their home.”

Extra face time with artists at this year’s Show can be had via a 30-minute guided tour where three selected artists will share their work and inspiration with guests. While the fashion show is included with each general admission ticket ($20 for a single day adult), the meet-and-greet comes with an additional charge.

A portion of each year’s proceeds is dedicated to the purchase of a craft object for the Museum’s permanent collection. Thanks to guest support, the Craft Show has contributed more than $14 million over a 45-year period to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

High rollers can get a jump on their shopping competition and spend more time with the artists by attending a preview party cocktail gala on Thursday the 10 ^th.

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Art

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

Published

2 weeks 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

4 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.