These beautiful paintings by Roy Butchart (1 March 1925 – 27 April 2016) aren’t on public display, so for many people, this may be the first time they’ve seen his work. That makes them feel even more special – a hidden thread of local artistic heritage, quietly preserved.
Roy studied at Newcastle School of Art before becoming a much-loved art teacher at Arthur Mellows College in Glinton, where he worked from 1953 to 1985, and later became Head of Art. He helped shape generations of creativity, introducing photography, textiles and ceramics into the curriculum and teaching both pupils and adults.
In retirement, he turned fully to his own practice, painting in acrylics, usually working from photographs he had taken himself. These works focus on Queensgate Shopping Centre, capturing its modern design, the play of light and the reflections within the space.
There’s something quite powerful about bringing work like this into view again – not just as art, but as part of Peterborough’s story, seen through the eyes of someone who helped others learn to see.
