More than 900 art pieces returned after massive seizure at Oak Bay, B.C., gallery
Police say hundreds of pieces of artwork have been returned to their rightful owners after Saanich police seized more than 1,000 works from a gallery in Oak Bay, B.C.
The pieces were seized in mid-April from Winchester Galleries after police received reports of suspicious behaviour coming from the gallery's art dealer.
Artists told police that the dealer was selling their artwork then ceasing communication with them and not paying them what they were owed for the sales.
On April 28, police said they had seized more than 1,000 art pieces from the gallery, which investigators said were collectively valued at tens of millions of dollars, and were looking to return them.
On Wednesday, police said more than 900 of those pieces had been returned to their rightful owners – ranging from B.C., Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes to as far as Washington state.
More than 200 pieces remain unclaimed, however, and police are looking to return the art.
"The return of the art has been a labour-intensive process but an overall success, as we have been able to return over 75 per cent of the pieces we seized," said Const. Markus Anastasiades in a statement.
"We attribute this success to the media coverage and attention this file received, as well as the art community across the country spreading the word to one another," he said.
"We’re still hopeful we will be able to return all of the pieces we have."
Anyone who thinks their art may be among the items seized can contact the Saanich Police Department at art@saanichpolice.ca[.]
No charges have been put forward yet, though police say the investigation is ongoing and that police are looking into multiple charges of fraud and false pretense against the art dealer.
"This is a stunning example, in the Canadian art world, a dramatic example of an egregious breach of trust," said Anita Blackwood, wife of David Blackwood, in April.
Blackwood was one artist who was affected by the art seizure. Other high-profile pieces included three paintings by Emily Carr.
David and Anita Blackwood are pictured. (Peg McCarthy)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.