Art
Small art makes big visual splash at Wortley Village gallery
Hundreds of works from 250 aspiring and professional local artists are now on display at a gallery in London’s Wortley Village, all with two things in common.
They’re all one-square-foot in size, and they’re all for sale.
The 11th annual Square Foot Show kicked off Wednesday afternoon at the Westland Gallery with a grand opening event. The exhibit runs until the end of December and features more than 450 works of art that cover the gallery’s walls from floor to ceiling.
“There’s a huge range of mediums on display. Painting and drawing, of course, but also photography, collage, mixed media, and encaustic,” said Danielle Hoevenaars, Westland Gallery’s director.
“All the artwork will be staying on display for the first week of the exhibition, so if you want to get that full Square Foot Show experience, come on in the next few days.”
The show predominantly includes work from local artists, but Hoevenaars says people from other provinces and countries are also participating. They include everything from emerging artists who’ve never had their work displayed, to seasoned artists who have practised professionally for years.
“It’s a great opportunity for all these artists to come together for one community exhibition… There’s been a number of artists that we’ve been introduced to their work through the exhibition, and we’ve gone on to have great relationships with them over time.”
Among the emerging artists is Dan Rock, who has two paintings in the show, both made with acrylic on canvas.
One is of a toucan on a tree branch in the tropics, while the other is a landscape of Collingwood in the summer, featuring a lush forest and a pond, based off a photograph he had taken.
“I’m working on a triptych, which is like three canvases beside each other, and it’s of the same pond,” Rock said. “The other one, my daughter likes toucans, so I painted a toucan.”
Rock, a musician and Beer Store staffer, says he painted in his teens but took a lengthy 20-year hiatus from it.
He says he started picking up the brush again thanks to his 14-year-old daughter.
“My daughter likes to paint, so she kind of forced my hand… I showed her some of my old stuff, and she encouraged me to pursue that. If you’re good at it, you might as well try doing that,” he said.
“I find it calming… I think I got about five hours of painting into [the two paintings]. It flew by really quick. I hadn’t done it for a long time. I’d actually never painted a landscape before.”
Londoner Gail Gifford also has two pieces in the show, both of tulips made with oil on canvas.
“I’ve been in a flower thing lately… I love tulips,” she said.
“These ones here are orangey and yellow. I did another series that are all bright yellow, and I’ve done another series, and they’re all white… I’m probably gonna go on to landscapes next.”
Gifford attended Fanshawe College for advertising art, and worked at a sign company doing illustrations and construction drawings. Later, she says she used her artistic eye in the floral department of a local grocery store.
Like Rock, Gifford saw painting pushed off the priorities list by the demands of life.
Now retired, she says she got back into painting about a decade ago, has submitted art to the Square Foot Show every year, and has sold several works.
“It showcases a lot of talent in London,” she said of the show. “It’s interesting, it’s diverse.”
All artwork at the show is viewable online and for sale. Prices start at $150, with each artist pricing their own work based on time and materials used.
In the gallery, sold pieces are designated with a coloured sticker on the artwork label. Within an hour of the show opening, numerous pieces had coloured stickers.
“One so far. I’m probably going to stay, and my wife will probably come back to look,” said Wortley Village resident Dave Turnbull when asked how many pieces he had purchased.
“I’m sort of at the end of the road for this kind of show because I hardly have any room for small paintings. I’ve already got unhung ones at home.”
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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