A Quebec school board has responded to allegations about an art teacher who allegedly listed his students’ art for sale without their knowledge, as the number of parents taking legal action has grown.
Earlier this week, a lawyer representing two parents said the pair was seeking $300,000 under the Copyright Act and $50,000 as compensation for moral and punitive damages from teacher Mario Perron and the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) for alleged intellectual property infringement.
The lawyer, Martin DeBellefeuille, announced Friday that he now represents eight parents whose kids attend Westwood Junior High School in Saint-Lazare, Que.
Each parent is now seeking statutory damages of $175,000, for a total of $1.4 million.
Meanwhile, the school board released a statement to parents Thursday informing them that their administrative investigation into the teacher is ongoing.
“In line with our dedication to fairness and respect for every individual involved, it is imperative to note that all matters, particularly those related to HR issues or students, are treated with the utmost confidentiality. This approach is essential to protect the privacy and well-being of all parties involved,” the statement read.
The statement from the LBPSB administration went on to say that, so far in its internal investigation, “it would appear that … No picture or print of student work of art was sold as the purchasing feature was disabled.”
“Considering that our investigation is ongoing, it would be premature to come to any conclusion.”
The LBPSB’s comments do not change anything for DeBellefeuille, who claims that intellectual property owners are entitled to statutory damages under section 38 of the Copyright Act whether or not their work is sold.
He is also holding the school board partly responsible, saying that under the Civil Code of Quebec, it is required “to ensure that teachers are evaluated, and their backgrounds, social media profiles, etc., are checked before hiring,” he said in a demand letter issued on Tuesday.
According to the letter, the parents have threatened to sue the teacher and the school board in Quebec Superior Court “in the absence of full payment or a serious settlement offer.”
The teacher has not responded to multiple requests for comment over the last several days.
The LBPSB’s full statement issued on Thursday is below.
Dear Westwood Junior Parents,
As a responsible and dedicated learning organization, the Lester B. Pearson School Board places utmost importance on addressing any matters brought to its attention with diligence, integrity, and discretion. We understand the significance of maintaining a safe and conducive environment for all members of our educational community.
It is our solemn commitment to thoroughly and promptly investigate all matters brought before us. We recognize that some issues may require a more extended period of investigation to ensure a comprehensive understanding and appropriate resolution. Rest assured, every concern raised will receive the attention it deserves, and we will take appropriate action whenever deemed necessary.
In line with our dedication to fairness and respect for every individual involved, it is imperative to note that all matters, particularly those related to HR issues or students, are treated with the utmost confidentiality. This approach is essential to protect the privacy and well-being of all parties involved.
What we can share regarding the information gathered to date, it would appear that:
• No picture or print of student work of art was sold as the purchasing feature was disabled.
Considering that our investigation is ongoing, it would be premature to come to any conclusion.
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.
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.
