Local Artist Devastated After Artwork Stolen from Car

A Windsor artist has had four years of her work taken from her car, and she’s asking the thief to return it, no questions asked.

Julie Gammon-Levasseur is a retired artist who spends her time painting and drawing “to make people smile.”

“It’s four years of putting myself into my work,” said Gammon-Levasseur, trying to hold back tears. “I love painting and because I want it to help people to be happy.”

The stolen artwork consists of 12 original watercolor prints that she had already digitally scanned.

Gammon-Levasseur sells copies of her art at events like Art in the Park, and sometimes she donates part of the proceeds to support human trafficking initiatives and a trauma center.

‘I’m heartbroken’

The artwork was kept in a large black case measuring about 1.2 meters by 0.9 meters (four feet by three feet) when it was taken from her back seat.

On Monday, Gammon-Levasseur mentioned that she picked up the original pieces from her manager’s house after checking them against the prints for color accuracy.

This is a copy of one watercolour painting that was stolen from Julie Gammon-Levasseur’s car. (Submitted Julie Gammon-Levasseur)

She left it in her car after picking it up and didn’t realize it was missing until Wednesday. During that time, she had visited several stores in the east end.

“I’m heartbroken,” Gammon-Levasseur said.

Windsor police have been informed, but Gammon-Levasseur admits she isn’t very hopeful since she doesn’t know exactly when or where they were taken.

Overall thefts in city declined in March

reached out via email to Windsor police for an update on this case and advice on preventing thefts, but officials haven’t responded yet.

The latest publicly available crime data shows that overall thefts throughout Windsor are down nearly 10 percent in March compared to last year at this time.

However, looking closer at specific neighborhoods reveals an increase in thefts: Ward 3 (38.6 percent), Ward 5 (46.7 percent), and Ward 7 (133.3 percent).

This is a copy of one watercolour painting that was stolen from Julie Gammon-Levasseur’s car. (Submitted by Julie Gammon-Levasseur)

No windows were broken or signs of forced entry were found, but Gammon-Levasseur stated that she always locks her car.

“I lock my car every time, every time,” she said.

As unlikely as it may seem, she’s hoping either the thief will return them or someone else will find them instead.

“I’m just hoping that somebody will realize that it has no value to them, but it has great value to me,” said Gammon-Levasseur.

“I forgive you for taking them. I wouldn’t prosecute; I would just be grateful to have them back.”

If anyone finds the art and wants to return it, Gammon-Levasseur says they can drop off the paintings at the Art Council of Windsor-Essex between May 10 and May 16 or at Art in the Park on June 6 or 7.

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