Former students of a long-serving York arts tutor will be paying tribute to his work at the weekend at an exhibition in his memory.

Eric Richardson was a very popular art tutor who worked for the city's council-run community education service for years across three centres at Huntington, New Earswick and Clifton. Previously he had spent ten years as head of art at Canon Lee School.

He died in May last year and asked in his will that an exhibition of his work be staged for all his former students.

The exhibition is taking place at Huntington Community Centre on Saturday (February 16) between 2pm and 4pm and dozens of his former students are expected to be among those viewing the collection.

Shirley Duff, head of Huntington community education centre, said, "This is something Eric asked for in his will and by doing this we are fulfilling that wish and giving all his former students a chance to see some of the lovely paintings he produced.

"In his early years he was more of an abstract painter although he favoured landscapes and did more of this in his later years. He lived in Skelton and was inspired by a lane just opposite the Blacksmith's Arms which he called simply 'The Lane'.

"We are hoping to show between 30 and 40 of his paintings and are trying to get in touch with as many of his former pupils as possible to try to get them to come.

"Although the exhibition is not open to the public any of his former students are welcome to attend and help celebrate his life and work."

Students from the education centres at Clifton, Huntington and New Earswick - as well as others from Skelton - have been invited to the exhibition.

His two daughters will be at the exhibition as will representatives of City of York Council's community education service.

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