Art

University of Guelph launches state-of-the-art honey bee facility

Published

1 year ago

June 14, 2023

Renderings of the 15,000 square foot honey bee research centre, which will include a research laboratory, honey shop, pollinator gardens and a classroom.Handout

A new state-of-the-art facility at the University of Guelph will be dedicated to researching, monitoring and educating the public about honey bees, and will be a key tool in the fight against declining populations.

Construction on the Honey Bee Research Centre broke ground Wednesday morning. The $16-million facility will include up to 200 hives, a research laboratory, a shop for honey and hive products, pollinator gardens and walking tours plus a classroom where honey bee enthusiasts can learn how to become apiculturists (beekeepers).

The centre is part of the University of Guelph’s school of food, agriculture and resource economics department. The 15,0000-square-foot facility will replace the current honey bee research centre – a 1950s bungalow with a research lab in the bedroom and honey extracting station in the basement.

“This innovative, state-of-the-art facility will change how we manage hives and do research,” said John Cranfield, associate dean at the department. “But the new facility will also allow us to scale up education programs, for anyone interested in how to manage hives.”

Honey bees and other pollinators are essential to food production, providing one-third of the pollination necessary for the food we consume.

Honey bees are also vital to Canada’s economy. Honey production alone adds $278-million to the economy, with $44.6-million in exports. However, when combined with the pollination of orchard fruits, berries, vegetables, forage and canola oil, the honey bee adds $7-billion to the Canadian economy annually, according to a Statistics Canada report from 2021. The economic contribution is likely to be higher, as these estimates cannot account for the value added by natural pollinators.

However, since 2007 colonies (which hold between 20,000 and 80,000 bees) have dropped 35 per cent annually in North America and most of Europe. In the winter of 2021 Canada experienced its largest honey bee colony loss in 20 years. Alberta alone lost 51 per cent of its colonies, according to a survey from the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists.

Numerous factors are leading to this population decline, including pesticide use, loss of habitat and severe weather events such as the storms, flooding and hailstorms caused by climate change.

“Bees can only tolerate so many problems at once,” said Paul Kelly, research and apiary manager at the Honey Bee Research Centre. “Climate doesn’t help, neither does exposure to pesticides. These compound the issues, coupling them together, and that’s what overwhelms the species.”

The University of Guelph’s honey bee research program discovered that the number 1 threat to the pollinator was a parasite called Varroa destructor, also known as the Varroa mite. According to the Canadian Honey Council, beekeepers in Alberta and Manitoba had lost an average of 40 to 45 per cent of their honey bees by April of last year. Quebec was on track to lose 60 per cent due in large part to the mites.

Mite reproductive rates are determined by spring weather conditions, with early warm springs leading to quick reproduction and vast populations that can wipe out honey bee colonies over the fall and winter.

Varroa mites decimate bee populations by latching onto adult bees, sucking out the blood and protein reserves and transmitting a virus that destroys the insect’s immune response. Infected bees live half as long as normal bees. The danger posed by the mites has only increased recently, as climate change leads to earlier and warmer springs.

The University of Guelph’s honey been research centre found that some pesticides, dubbed “neonics,” widely used in agriculture to protect crops from insects, curtail the bees’ ability to fight varroa mites.

The centre discovered that honey bees with higher levels of a gene that compels them to scratch more vigorously are better at removing mites from their bodies. This is because mites flatten and tuck themselves between segments of the bees’ abdomen. Currently, only 15 to 20 per cent of honey bees are able to remove the mites by scratching.

Researchers are therefore breeding honey bees that are better scratchers, which will increase the population of bees with greater resistance to the mites. So far, the breeding program has been implemented in Ontario, with hopes more provinces will follow suit.

But the better facility is needed to continue this kind of research. For example, the new centre will include several rooms for incubating bees. These rooms will allow researchers to conduct more controlled tests and extensive monitoring of bee behaviour and health. A bigger building will also be key to expanding collaboration with other researchers and, through classrooms and tours, spreading awareness about the challenges faced by honey bees.

“Bees are the supreme example of interdependence in nature,” said Prof. Kelly. “We have plants that need pollination, and bees that provide that pollination so that humans and animals can eat. It’s all connected. But we have to have good, healthy bees to get that job done.”

The new honey bee research centre is scheduled to open in April of 2025, just as spring bee season begins.

Source link

Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

6 days 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.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

Source link

Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

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.

Source link