On Thursday 1st November 2018, one of our members, Pete Hayward, sadly passed away following a short illness.
Pete was an artist who lived as artists should, involved with their work every day; but he had also been a highly respected teacher, mentor and proponent of mixed media approaches in the creative arts; that encompassed dance, events and music.
As the Head of the Art Department at Walton School he created a unique and vibrant atmosphere that encouraged many students to pursue their dreams and become involved in the arts. Ex pupils still talk of their art lessons with delight and respect for his ideas, drawing skills and guidance, that in turn gave them confidence. He inspired many young teachers in the late 1970s and 80s by his charismatic leadership and example.
He was a moderator for examination boards and was a guiding and purposeful influence in the difficult changeover from O level to GCSE Art. His confident and knowledgeable endorsement of creative approaches in the Peterborough schools he moderated made teachers feel assured and well supported.
Pete’s creative partnership with Rowena, his wife, was legendary. Between them they were innovators, bringing renowned contemporary dance companies into school and holding popular workshops. Pete’s influence and experience in visualizing concepts, made for some incredible school performances.
Pete had a trademark style of bold colourwork, large canvasses and semi-figurative imagery that was very much alive in his classroom studios. He was a teacher with a firm no nonsense classroom presence. His students left his lessons with useful skills which enabled them to externalize emotions and reactions in mature and exploratory ways.
Pete’s retirement from the profession gave him more time to concentrate on his métier and his vigorous semi-abstract works reflected his admiration for Pop Art and the 1960s of his youth.
To lose such a gentle and talented man at a time when he was still building and developing vibrant and passionate work is a great loss and we give our heartfelt condolences to Rowena, his family and close friends.
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