Understanding the Harbourside Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

When purchasing artwork, collectors invest in more than a visual object—they invest in the artist’s vision, process, and authorship. At Harbourside Gallery, our Certificate of Authenticity (COA) reflects our commitment to transparency, provenance, and trust between artist and collector.

A COA is a signed document provided by the artist or gallery that:

• Confirms the artwork is original

• Identifies the artist, title, and materials

• Outlines copyright and reproduction rights

• Provides provenance and confidence for collectors

It is also a tool for artists, protecting intellectual property and reinforcing the value of their work.

While major institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada have not yet formalized public policies specific to AI-generated art (at this time), guidance across the museum sector and the Government of Canada emphasizes transparency, authorship, and disclosure when AI tools are used in creative work. Harbourside Gallery aligns with these best practices by including a checkbox on our COA to indicate if AI was used in the artist's creative process.

Our COA includes three key components:

1. Authorship and AI Disclosure

We recognize that contemporary artists may use a variety of digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI). Transparency about creation is essential for collectors.

Our COA includes the following text:

This artwork is an original piece created by the artist, derived from their own observation, imagination, sketches, photographs, and/or digital processes. All copyrights and reproduction rights are retained by [the artist]. This artwork may not be reproduced by any process or medium without the express written permission of [the artist].

• ☐ Created without the use of AI-generated imagery

• ☐ Created with the assistance of AI tools

This ensures that the artist maintains authorship, creative control, and responsibility for the final work.

2. Materials and Craftsmanship

Our COA also documents the physical qualities of the artwork, supporting long-term care, conservation, and informed collecting.

We include:

• Surface: Canvas, panel, paper, wood, or other substrate

• Media: Oil, acrylic, watercolour, ink, mixed media, digital print, etc.

• Finishing: Varnishes, fixatives, sealants, or protective coatings

• Framing/Display Notes: Frame type (if included), glazing, mounting method, or display instructions

This information helps collectors understand how the artwork was created and how it should be displayed and preserved.

3. Collector Confidence and Provenance

A Certificate of Authenticity is more than a document—it is a signed statement of integrity. By providing transparency about authorship, AI use, and materials, we ensure that collectors can make informed decisions and maintain the artwork’s value over time.

At Harbourside Gallery, our Certificate of Authenticity is proof of ownership, authorship, and professional care, signed by the artist - providing collectors with confidence and clarity about every piece they acquire. Future owners of the piece will benefit from a chain of information going back to the original creator of the work.

If you have any questions about our Certificate of Authenticity or any general questions about our gallery, please get in touch. We'd be happy to speak with you.