Art

The second city Art Battle and Fundraiser coming this Sunday

Published

1 year ago

June 30, 2023

This event will host artists from Richmond Hill, Barrie, Sudbury, and Bear Island to flex their artistic muscle in this action-packed speed-painting event.

A major art battle is drawing talent from all over the province this coming Sunday at New Ontario Brewing Photo by Karrie Emms

Gateway To the Arts and Nick’s Place for Us are hosting their second official Art Battle Fundraiser July 2nd from 1-4 at New Ontario Brewing on Seymour Street. This event will host artists travelling to the city from Richmond Hill, Barrie, Sudbury, and Bear Island to flex their creative muscle in this action-packed speed painting event.

Art Battle is a series of fast-paced events where 12 artists go up against each other in two 20-minute battles to paint an 18 x 24” canvas. The two winners from each round then compete one more time in a third round and a winner is declared.

The winner of each event wins a $150 cash prize and the opportunity to compete again in the regional finals in June and to advance to the national finals in the summer of 2024. Winners are decided through a live voting system where attendees and those at home can vote for their favorite painting through. After the event, the paintings are live auctioned to the highest bidder and the proceeds split between the artist and Nick’s Place for Us.

“We are using the funds to help grow our youth arts programming at Nick’s Place for Us and to help complete renovations to the center which is housed in the old Gulliver’s storefront on Main Street. We provide a safe inclusive environment to youth ages 13-30 and their families,” said Karrie Emms, Founder of Nick’s Place for Us and Owner of Gateway to the Arts Gallery which have recently amalgamated into one space to allow for program expansion and a greater focus on renovations to the center.

The event series has been proudly and generously sponsored by Northgate Shopping Center, High Class Variety, High Class Snax, Scratch E. Wear, North Bay Hilton by Hampton, New Ontario Brewing, and an anonymous sponsor making the events possible and keeping the costs low. The events run bi-monthly with a variety of event hosts including this month’s host Scarlett Diaz.

“At the May 21 event Rana Thomas was our winner with two stunning pieces of art. She received a prize of $150 and half of the auction proceeds from her two completed paintings. Rana is phenomenal to watch compete and while she is not competing at this event, we look forward to welcoming some really talented artists with a wide range of styles,” says Emms.

The next official Art Battle will be August 25th and it will take place at the Raven and Republic allowing for a different atmosphere and feel. Tickets are limited by the venue capacity so it is recommended attendees purchase advanced tickets through Eventbrite where they can use the discount code WORLD at checkout to save $5. No discounts can be applied at the door.

There are a few spaces left for artists at various events and interested artists can apply through the Art Battle website at www.artbattle.com.

“We are looking forward to an amazing event which will support our youth programming and our mission to keep youth engaged in positive activities and interactions,” said Emms.

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Art

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

Published

3 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.