AN exhibition featuring work by the late Stourbridge artist Chris McEwen is set to be held in the town’s old college of art.

Chris, who passed away in 2014, was a prolific artist and as a senior lecturer at Stourbridge Art College – where he taught between 1973 and 1992 – had a major influence on his students and fellow staff alike.

An exhibition of his work, taking place between Saturday September 3 and 17, has been organised by his children, who both attended the college and went on to do fine art degrees and one of his former students.

Patricia McEwen, Chris' wife, said: “We wanted to hold this exhibition as a tribute to Chris and the impact that he had on those he taught.

“He loved teaching at Stourbridge Art College and was a major influence on both staff and students in their own work.

“He had a passion for painting, drawing, making books and writing poetry and made his mark on many people around him.

“Chris was a prolific artist who painted, drew or wrote poetry every day of his life and this exhibition is small selection of the work he created.”

During his time as a lecturer, Chris exhibited in a number of local galleries, including Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, MAC Birmingham and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, and he was very interested in the artistic history of the local area, especially the glass in Stourbridge and the canals and countryside of the West Midlands.

This is the first in a planned series of exhibitions which will display works by former staff, students and visiting lecturers of the college, as well as works by notable local figures who have a connection to the building.

Entry to the ‘Making a Mark - Works by Chris McEwen’ exhibition at the Old Library Studios – located on the corner of Hagley Road and Church Street – is by appointment only, except for an open day on Saturday, September 3, between 11am and 5pm.

For more information about Chris’ work visit christophermcewen.co.uk, or to book an appointment call 01384 396100, or email exhibitions@simonmeddings.co.uk