Art
'This should be protected': Vancouver art venues struggling with rent hikes and development – CBC.ca
When the Toast Collective artist space found out last month it was getting a $200-a-month rent hike, organizer Tracey Vath worried it would mean the end of the Toast — a narrow, alternative music venue that’s served as practice and performance space for the past decade.
The space itself is not much to look at, but it means a lot for the community. The walls are thick with layers of paint over the years, and filled with nail holes from various installations. Of course, there’s a toaster to make a slice of toast whenever you’d like.
And to stay alive for emerging artists, its costs must stay low.
“With the rent increase and with a small group of volunteers, we just didn’t know how we were going to continue,” said Vath.
So, Vath and her co-organizer launched a fundraiser, with 12 hours of music and a little jar set up to collect donations. By the end, it was overflowing.
“We just had to call up the community for support. And we got it. We got support all right,” Vath said.
Through the jar and online donations, they raised around $7,000 — enough to keep the Toast afloat for months without Vath subsidizing rent from her own pocket.
But many other art spaces aren’t so lucky in a city with rising rents and rampant development.
Alix Sales, head of cultural spaces for the City of Vancouver, said the displacement of artists has accelerated over the past few years. She said since 2018, her office has learned of 300 artists losing their studio spaces — a blow for the city’s social cohesion and economy.
“It’s a crisis of affordability,” Sales said, adding that 63 per cent of artists live below the poverty line and have a need to keep costs low.
“We don’t want to live in a city where artists can’t afford to live and share their work.”
Indie comedy venue at risk
The Little Mountain Gallery, which hosts an indie comedy venue near Main Street and 26th Avenue, is worried it will be next on the chopping block.
Their perpetual fear has come true: the property is slated for development, pending approval from the city.
“The owner of the building had kind of hinted at the fact that he was probably going to redevelop it at some point in the future, but he didn’t really give us a heads up when that development application was going to be going up,” said Abdul Aziz, operations manager at the Little Mountain Gallery.
“I don’t see anything as funny about this,” said Comedian Ross Dauk, the seven-year host of a weekly show at the venue called Jokes Please.
When he broke the news that the site was going to be developed, he said regular audience members hugged him and cried.
“It was heartbreaking because I know comedians love this space, you don’t necessarily understand how much the person on the street cares about a space like this,” Dauk said.
“I love coming here. It’s a great place,” said Robert Ferguson, who takes the bus to watch the show every Thursday night. “I’d really be sad to see it go.”
‘I don’t think it has to be inevitable’
Aziz said the non-profit board has been looking for possible replacements, but it’s a tough grind, as the venue is already seen as a bit of a unicorn in Vancouver.
“This space the rent that we pay here and the the amount of space that we have and kind of its central location is something that is incredibly rare in the city.” Aziz said.
They pay $2,200 a month for rent. So far, the places they’ve found that are a similar size range between $4,000 and $6,000 per month.
“We got a great deal for a really long time,” he said.
Paying more rent would mean the non-profit’s model wouldn’t work anymore, he said. Their options are to charge more for entry, or move to a smaller space — both of which go against their mandate to lower the barriers to entry for comedians and make art spaces as accessible as possible.
Both Aziz and comedian Dauk think more should be done to preserve and create art spaces in the city.
Why can’t a space like this exist?– Ross Dauk, comedian
“Some people think it’s inevitable that this venue is going to leave. I don’t think it has to be inevitable. I think this should be protected,” Dauk said. “Why can’t a space like this exist?”
Dauk said emerging comedians need smaller venues to practice their jokes and take risks. If the Little Mountain Gallery goes, that just leaves a few bars and a dwindling number of comedy clubs in town.
“There, people are mostly there to buy drinks and have drinks and then maybe there’s a comedy show. This venue, people come to see comedy and it is a whole different thing,” Dauk said.
“Comedy changes depending on where it’s made. So comedy in Vancouver would change.”
City says preserving art spaces will take time
Alix Sales with the city said her department is aiming to keep art a priority.
In a report filed to council in the fall, the city approved a goal of building 800,000 square feet of new, repurposed or expanded art space over the next ten years.
It also set a goal for no net loss of cultural spaces like artist studios and music spaces.
And while there is little the city can do to prevent the loss of the Little Mountain Gallery, Sales said in the future, she wants to get to a place where the city regularly negotiates with developers to retain art spaces.
“You don’t solve massive infrastructure problems in a few years. It takes decades,” she said.
Treading Water is a series from CBC British Columbia examining the impact of the affordability crisis on people in Metro Vancouver and across the province, including the creative solutions being used to make ends meet.
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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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