Gazing at artworks on computer screens isn’t ideal, but we’re all learning to adapt and even find silver linings in today’s social distancing measures.
While downtown Vancouver art galleries and studios are all closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, you can still attend the First Friday Art Walk set for Friday. It’s been reset as a Virtual First Friday, naturally, so you’ll just have to settle back at home with your own glass of wine and internet browser, and let your fingers do the walking rather than your legs.
You’ll be able to view the same new or held-over exhibits you would have seen in person in local galleries — along with some greatest hits and old favorites pulled from local collections. Some galleries and artists will add special content like live video streams and recorded tours, too.
Vancouver’s Downtown Association will act as online hub for the event; visit its website or Facebook page and click through to participating galleries and individual artists. Or just search Facebook and Instagram for #dtvanwa to find the latest updates. The whole thing goes live at 5 p.m. Friday as any normal First Friday event would.
“First Friday is a signature event. It’s an active display of the culture and vibrancy that exist downtown,” said Michael Walker, executive director of Vancouver’s Downtown Association. “We’re showing that while we’re impacted by COVID-19, we have a sense of normalcy.”
VDA is even hoping that rich online art displays and value-added activities like gallery video streams, tours and artist talks will draw virtual visitors who’ve never attended an actual, physical art walk and maybe never would. Now, everyone can enjoy the art from the safety of their own devices, and perhaps warm up to the idea of walking for real on that future, wished-for First Friday when galleries reopen.
“We’ll have a better platform for people who can’t make it out to First Friday,” Walker said. “This is a good test run on ways we can distribute information in the future. It should encourage newcomers who’ve never been to an art walk before.”
Party on, art lovers
The staff members at downtown Vancouver’s prominent Art at the CAVE gallery said they’re hoping for a real social experience, not just a lot of remote clicks.
“We have great conversations on First Friday and we want that to continue,” said the CAVE’s Sharon Svec. “We hope people will comment and ask questions online.”
“We consider First Friday a party,” said the CAVE’s Anne John. “We have a party once a month. I’m hoping this will feel like a party. I love our First Friday and I miss it.”
The CAVE “is an experimental art space,” Svec said. “What greater experiment is there that taking it online and seeing what comes of it? That’s the joy and fun of art, trying things and not knowing how they’re going to come out in the end.”
Some local galleries haven’t waited for First Friday. Vancouver’s Art on the Boulevard has been posting characteristically comfortable, old-school artworks from its collection — still lifes, landscapes, pastel portraits, photos of small sculptures — on its Facebook page daily since mid-March.
“Despite the gallery being currently closed due to the pandemic,” Art on the Boulevard’s page says with each posting, “we can still fill your daily feed with beautiful art.”
“Art will cheer you up,” says Maria Gonser of Camas’ Attic Gallery as she begins a half-hour video tour of all the current offerings there.
Posting artworks online is nothing new, pointed out the CAVE’s kathi rick, an artist who spells her name in all lower case.
“Some of the great collections are online and highest quality,” she said.
Many great museums and cultural sites all around the world — the Louvre in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the British Museum in London, the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City — are now posting free video tours and artworks-of-the-day.
You can usually zoom in and around to examine the artworks in greater detail than you probably could by bending over and squinting in an actual museum, rick said.
“It’s interesting to explore and nitpick,” she said. “I think some of my students who have never even been to the Portland Art Museum will be comfortable doing this.”
Walker added that all participating artists, galleries and Vancouver’s Downtown Association itself will be a little more shameless than usual about promoting art sales during this event.
“Given the current climate, we do want to give artists a better platform to market their art for sale,” he said. “This is a hard time for artists. We want to have a louder voice to help struggling artists sell their art.”
Artists and their customers can make individual arrangements for their transactions, including how the artworks are delivered, whether by mail or at curbside or drop-off locations.
John added that she’s starting to brainstorm an open-to-everyone “Quarantine Art Show” for when this social-distancing episode is over and people can gather downtown again. She’s hoping all galleries will participate, she said.
“There isn’t one person who hasn’t been affected by all this,” she said. “I think there will be a lot of creativity coming out of it.”
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.
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.
