Memory of Grimsby artist Peter Todd lives on at new Institute gallery
THE memory of one of Grimsby's greatest artists will live on at a new gallery.
The Atrium of the new University Centre, at the Grimsby Institute, has been transformed into a gallery and named after Peter Todd.
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PROUD: Janet Todd looks at a portrait of her husband Peter Todd , in the new gallery named after him. Picture: Rick Byrne
Generations of artists were taught by Peter, who was the head of Grimsby School of Art for 30 years.
The gallery will be a lasting legacy alongside the 11ft-high Guardians Of Knowledge figures on the side of Grimsby Central Library, which Peter designed and built in 1968 at his studio in Walesby.
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His widow, Janet, and children Pip Todd-Warmoth, Pat Kumar and Tina Speck were among the guests honouring his talent and dedication to teaching art.
Among his many students was the Oscar-nominated actor John Hurt, a student at the school from 1957.
Pip, himself an internationally-acclaimed artist, told how John wrote to his father to mark his 80th birthday. In the letter, he wrote: "There is not a week passes that you do not come into my thoughts and conversation. Your influence is always with me and never dimmed.
"In all truth, I cannot imagine my life without your influence."
Pip said his father, who died in 2006 aged 84, would have been "extremely honoured" to have the gallery named after him.
A self-portrait of the artist, who taught between 1956 and 1986, now adorns the atrium entrance.
He also taught many schoolchildren basic skills in the discipline on a Saturday morning, as many schools did not hold art classes.
Janet praised the work of the Grimsby Institute graduates, which is currently on display on walls of the University Centre.
Among them were ceramics and design drawings by BA graduate Sonia Whitehead, 33.
She said: "I can't give enough credit to my tutors here. The tutor time was fantastic. They nurture your individual path."
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