Art

Pretty in pink: New mural unveiled in Art Alley

Published

1 year ago

August 12, 2023

Pink cherry blossoms now adorn a once-plain spot on the wall in Collingwood’s Art Alley.

Alex Kostecka-Silva, the artist behind the new interactive art installation, says she’s applied a few times to be one of the chosen artists to create a piece for the iconic Collingwood Art Alley, and was elated to be chosen this time around.

The new mural was officially unveiled on July 26.

“I applied the first year it became public, and I applied with eight different designs,” said Kostecka-Silva, with a laugh. “It was a goal for me to have a mural in the Collingwood Art Alley.”

While she wasn’t chosen for the second spot, the Wasaga Beach-based artist applied this year for the third spot with a variety of designs. According to the call for artists, she said the only stipulation was that it be 12 feet by 12 feet and designs needed to incorporate a seating feature – either a bench or a swing.

Again, Kostecka-Silva submitted eight designs.

“They want every mural to be interactive in some kind of way,” she said, adding that the original cherry blossom design included a circle swing but a surprise bench donation meant she had to tweak the mural for the bench.

“The idea behind the cherry blossoms was very simple: everyone loves cherry blossoms. I thought it would be a nice addition to the colour palette I already saw in the alley,” she said.

Kostecka-Silva calls mural painting her “side passion.” During the day, she works for the Town of Wasaga Beach.

“I’ve been painting murals for the past four years. I really got into it throughout COVID. I started seeing calls for artists pop up in Collingwood and Wasaga,” she said, noting she got her first-ever commission from an ice cream shop owner in Wasaga Beach in 2019.

“It’s my comfort zone.”

Since then, she’s painted murals at the Wasaga Beach Youth Centre and the skate park.

“I love public art. I’m an artist at my core,” said Kostecka-Silva.

The Collingwood Art Alley was initiated by Cassie MacKell, co-owner of Low Down Bar, who commissioned the first mural in the alley – called The Butterfly – painted by artist Shandelle McCurdie. A second mural called JUMP! was unveiled in July 2022 painted by Collingwood artist Deb Baillie.

“It’s very exciting for me to have such a huge piece in Collingwood. I hope a lot of girls in pretty dresses want to take photos in front of it,” said Kostecka-Silva, with a laugh. “Anyone who wants to feel pretty, should stand in front of that mural.”

Collingwood Art Alley is located between Low Down Bar and Alexander Art School and Art Supplies at 77 Simcoe Street.

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Art

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

Published

4 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

1 month 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.