Exhibition For The Professor Is A Triumph

A retiree from Brough who took up painting again in his 50s, staged his first solo art exhibition – ‘Of Landscapes and Living Things’  last month at Burton Constable Hall. 

Peter Ainsworth, 73, raised a total of £1,200 by selling his  collection of works, which he has split equally between MacMillan Cancer Research and his local church, St Helens Church, Welton with Melton.

Peter, who had barely touched a paintbrush since his time at the Liverpool Institute for Boys where he was inspired by his teacher Stanley Reed  RA, never dreamt  of one day staging his own art exhibition.

Peter describes being a little apprehensive about exhibiting at first, but delighted with the outcome.  

He explains: “The exhibition went well: people seemed to like the paintings but I’m sure were also keen to support the two charities. I met many delightful people, enjoying conversations about painting, different media and the beauty of the area we live in. I was happily  tired at the end of it all, having spoken to so many visitors.

“Much to my surprise (I hoped to sell a few...), 23 out of the 26 paintings on show  were bought.  My wife had her eye on at least four of these,  so our apartment walls are a little bare now. To make up for this, I am now in the process of designing her a Christmas card which will be sent  to  our  family  members  and close friends.”

Mr Ainsworth, who lives at  McCarthy Stone’s Fairway View Retirement Living development in Brough, is a former university professor and has used the time since he retired to pursue his hobby for painting more intensively. 

He explains: “I am grateful for the time over recent months to reconnect with old hobbies and interests. They  have allowed me to think about doing something I might not otherwise have had opportunity to do. Lockdown helped me to produce some of my best work as I had no distractions. It’s clearly never too late to try reigniting  the fire!”

Fairway View is a Retirement Living development of 35 low maintenance, privately owned apartments on Elloughton  Road with just four apartments now remaining.  They are designed exclusively for the over-60s with the development located at the heart of Brough in close proximity toall of its amenities. Fully equipped with all the latest mod-cons, and spacious and bright, the apartments are a perfect base from which to enjoy an independent and active retirement. The development features excellent security systems including a 24-hour emergency call facility and dedicated House Manager. There is a communal lounge for socialising, beautifully maintained landscaped gardens and a guest suite ideal for visitors.