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Art expert Gail Nep looks back on fulfilling career
By MYRON LOVE After more than 40 years immersed in the world of art, Gail Nep has cut back somewhat on her activities.
“I can’t do the schlepping I used to do when I was younger,” she says, recalling the days when she could be found crossing Portage and Main lugging paintings of different sizes to the offices of corporate clients downtown.
And she retired from teaching in 2007 – following a career that included 30 years teaching art at West Kildonan Collegiate. “Many of my former students still keep in touch with me,” she notes. “We talk about art.”
Despite taking things a little easier these days, Nep’s expertise is still in demand. For the past 15 years or so, she has been wintering in Mexico, including this winter. She reports that from her office in her second home in that southern sunbelt country she continues to respond to the needs of her clients, most recently art appraisals for the University of Manitoba and the Buhler Centre.
By turn an art teacher, art gallery owner, appraiser and consultant, art has defined here her life. “I have always loved art,” says the former River Heights girl.
Ironically, Nep – who studied art history in university herself has never tried to forge a career as an artist. “I felt that the world didn’t need another mediocre artist,” she explains.
It was her long time next-door neighbour in St. Boniface – the well known artist Tony Tascona – who pushed Gail Nep into the commercial side of art. Knowing that her brother in Calgary, the late Jerry Nep, was an art collector, Tascona urged her – on one of her visits to Jerry – to take a collection of his and fellow artists’ paintings with her to sell.
On one of her returns, he suggested that she consider becoming an art consultant.
So what does an art consultant do? Well, if you want some advice on choosing paintings she will come to your home and get a sense of your tastes and what might suit you.
In the corporate world, Nep would be called upon to suggest and source paintings that woulld add character to the clients’ reception areas, offices and boardrooms.
Following Tascona’s suggestion, Nep began building up a corporate clientele through making cold calls – by phone or in person. Initially, she worked out of her home. In 1984, however she formed a relationship with high end furniture store Roche Bobois, then newly-arrived in the Exchange District across the street from the Royal Albert Arms.
“I was asked to recommend art pieces to complement the furniture displays,” she recalls. “The arrangement worked out very well. People would come in to buy furniture and would also purchase the artwork.”
Roche Bobois shut its doors in 1988. By that time, Nep had opened her own art gallery, “Uptown Gallery”, in the Exchange District. She relocated Uptown to Academy Road – also in 1988 – in conjunction with Roche Bobois’ closing. A couple of years later, she moved Uptown again – this time to the Forks. In the mid-90s, she closed the gallery and began working full time out of her home.
She notes that it is difficult to turn a profit as an art gallery owner. “A lot of people are intimidated by art galleries,” she points out. “One art gallery owner I knew never put prices on the paintings in her gallery. She said that if anyone had to ask the price of a painting, he probably wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway. I used to regularly take my students to visit art galleries to help them become comfortable in the galleries.”
She notes that in recent years, there has been a trend for artists to display their works on the walls of restaurants –a more informal setting for selling their works.
Nep still sells art from her home. “We have a lot of really good artists in Winnipeg who are selling their paintings across Canada and even in Chicago and New York,” she observes.
As for Winnipeggers’ tastes in art, she reports that most of us are quite conservative. We prefer the tried and true – the Group of Seven, for example – rather than sampling more contemporary pieces.
Nep’s career as an appraiser began with an invitation by the Winnipeg Art Gallery to evaluate some pieces at the gallery. “I didn’t really feel that I was qualified,” she recalls, “but the WAG’s collection manager pointed out that I knew all of the gallery’s artists and was familiar with their style.”
As an appraiser, Nep’s services have been in demand across Canada. Her clients include the National War Museum in Ottawa and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa.
“I love doing appraisals,” Nep says. “At times, it is like doing CSI work. I don’t want to make mistakes. I do a lot of research. At times, I have to search for the artist’s name.“
It is often difficult to tell if a painting is authentic,” Nep points out. “If I am allowed to take pictures out of their frames, I would have a better idea of the authenticity of the picture.” Buying forgeries is an ever-present concern. Even the experts can be fooled.
“The most important consideration in buying art is that the paintings – or photographs – or posters – that you hang on your wall are pictures you love to look at,” she observes. “It doesn’t have to be expensive as long as the picture is one you want to look at every day.”
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Mobile Casino Trends in 2026: Usage Statistics – What Casino Online Westace Says
Mobile technologies simplify everyday life. They are used for payments, regular conversations, photos, and even gambling. Sites like casino online Westace leverage modern trends and do everything possible to maximize engagement. Adapting familiar gambling games to smartphones makes them more convenient. Visitors can launch slot machines or other entertainment with just a few taps on the screen. Quick rounds let you instantly see the results and choose a different game type. Interactivity is the main approach to development in 2026.
Usage Statistics in 2026
Online casinos are using mobile development technologies to adapt gambling games to smartphones and tablets. Now, almost every user has the opportunity to launch games to test their features in a convenient format. Sites like casino online Westace are not far behind and adapt to various screen layouts. The latest industry news also indicates significant developments:
More than 75% of players use online casino services via mobile devices. Statistics show significant steady growth compared to the figure of 65% in 2023.
It is predicted that revenue from mobile casinos in 2026 will exceed the mark of $ 60 billion. The figure is two-thirds of the market. Thus, positive trends can be identified among gambling software developers.
The younger demographic aged 18 to 35 years old is the most active user of mobile devices. They have twice the level of involvement compared to other categories.
80% of new casino accounts were registered through mobile apps or mobile-optimized websites. This indicates their convenience and widespread use.
Mobile development is a priority for online casinos. Operators work closely with developers to adapt all games to the relevant requirements.
Features of Mobile Casino Growth
Mobile versions of sites like casino online Westace are dominating in 2026 for a reason. Players can enjoy games with real dealers even from small screens. At the same time, the broadcast quality remains at a high level without delays.
All games are designed for touch use. Players can easily use portrait mode and adaptive layouts to launch a comfortable gameplay format. Biometric login and two-factor authentication are essential tools that protect transactions and accounts from unauthorized access.
Mobile gaming encourages more frequent play in small sessions. For example, a player can play one or two games of baccarat, and then later return to play slot machines. All progress is saved on any device. Yes, a player can start playing on a smartphone, save the results, and return via a browser on a computer.
All Interesting Facts to Know
Recently, sites like casino online Westace have been paying more attention to mobility. For example, seasonal slots are launched first through mobile versions, and then move to desktop. Regulators have also introduced mandatory responsible elements for smartphone users for greater control. Mobile players spend 20% more time playing with real dealers. This emphasizes the close attention to interactive formats and communication.
Ultimately, mobile casino versions occupy their own niche in the industry. Most players use smartphones to play on the go and enjoy fast games. Developers adapt to these requirements and improve services, adding relevant options to games.
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Important Keno Rules: Explained by Casino Online Glorion
Keno is a lottery game that originated in China 2,000 years ago. At that time, it was called baige piao, which translates to “white pigeon ticket” in English. Keno rules on sites like Glorion Casino are similar to those of games like lotto. The game involves choosing numbers in the hopes that they will match randomly selected values. In this article, we will discuss the important rules of online keno.
Understanding Keno Rules at Online Casinos
Keno is a game of chance in which players select 1 to 10 numbers from a table of 1 to 80, similar to bingo. After this, the numbers are drawn. The player’s payout depends on how many figures they match.
In classic keno, the drawing is done using a ball machine. The same equipment is used in bingo and lotteries. The host randomly draws 20 numbered balls. Players win if at least one of their chosen numbers matches the dealer’s draw. The more matching numbers, the larger the payout.
Online keno is played using a random number generator (RNG). Keno payouts on sites like Casino Online Glorionare similar to those in the classic game. The differences are due to the drawing procedure and the properties of different versions.
After users select their 20 numbers, the gambling software publishes its 20 figures, which determine the winner. Payout amounts vary across platforms, so users should check them before playing.
Basic Keno Stages in Online Casinos
Users planning to play keno at sites like Casino Online Glorion should be familiar with the gameplay process. Typically, it includes the following stages.
- Select a keno card. The ticket displays numbers from 1 to 80.
- Choose your numbers. In different versions, users select 10, 15, or 20 numbers before each draw. Each number is called a ‘keno spot.’ You can set the same numbers for multiple draws.
- Check the payout table. In the online version of the game, the table appears after selecting the numbers. It displays information about the payout amount if you guess correctly. The more numbers you match, the larger the payout.
- Calculate your bet. Determine how much you want to bet on each draw. Remember that the bet size affects the final payout.
- Start the game. All the drawn numbers will appear somewhere on the screen. Users can also view the “cold” and “hot” keno numbers. Hot numbers have been drawn recently, while cold ones haven’t won for a long time.
- Match the numbers. Experienced players use the term “catching a spot” when their chosen number is drawn. The number of spots you catch affects your payout.
Keno at websites like Casino Online Glorion offers engaging gameplay. Players can get generous prizes. They should learn the rules, odds, and prize structures to make rational decisions and boost their chances of winning. Chase the thrill, but play it smart.
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Common Online Casino Mistakes To Avoid
Online casino games can be a brilliant way to bring excitement to life in your spare time. These games have become hugely popular in recent years, but you will find that people often make the same mistakes. These mistakes can lead to financial losses, cybercrime, and an inferior experience, so it is important to be aware of what these mistakes are so that they can be avoided. This post will outline a few of the most common mistakes people make when playing online casino games and explain how to avoid falling into the same trap. Interested? Keep reading to find out more.
Ignoring Terms & Conditions
One of the biggest mistakes players make with online casino games is ignoring the terms and conditions. You should always take the time to read through these, paying close attention to things like the conditions of bonuses and restrictions in withdrawals. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises when playing games.
Not Researching Casinos
Another common mistake people make is not researching casinos. There are endless options for online casinos, but not all are equal, and there are even many that are unlicensed. Therefore, you need to research casinos and find one that is fully licensed and has positive reviews. The best casinos will have a massive selection of games to choose from, including blackjack online. A wide selection of games means it is hard to get bored, and you can always find something to play.
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Chasing Losses
One of the most dangerous mistakes people make is chasing losses. This is where players will attempt to win back the money they have lost, which often means betting larger sums. This is a dangerous tactic and a slippery slope, so it is important to be aware of it and take measures to protect against it. The best way to avoid chasing losses is to set a budget before each session – if you spend that amount, you need to be able to walk away.
Not Understanding Games
It is always important to have a strong understanding of the game that you are playing. This will boost your chances of winning and your gaming experience. Therefore, you should always read the instructions when playing a game for the first time. For strategic games like poker, there is a lot of information online that will help you get to grips with the basics and learn strategies to use.
Weak Passwords
Cybersecurity needs to be a top priority when it comes to online casino games. The top casinos will have strong cybersecurity measures in place, but you also have a role to play. It is important to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to prevent hackers. It is also smart to avoid having large sums held in your online account in case someone hacks your account.
These are the most common mistakes that you will want to avoid when it comes to online casino games. By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve your experience and enjoy the excitement that these games can bring.