Late artists work will show in Church Stretton

Printmaker Paul Hipkiss was best known for his work inspired by the industrial environment around his home in the Black County, and was scheduled to be leading workshops and exhibiting as part of the two-week Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival, which starts on July 31.

However, he passed away following a period of illness in recent weeks aged 77. His work will still be shown at the festival's art exhibition at Church Stretton School in tribute to him.

Mr Hipkiss was trained at Stourbridge Art College majoring in pottery and lithography and taught at Shenley Court School, Birmingham, starting shortly after it was opened, before later becoming head of the art department, where he remained until his retirement sixteen years ago.

He was a member of Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, the Art Circle, Easel Club and Dudley Society of Artists.

Lynn Jeffery of RBSA said: "After his retirement from teaching at sixty one he became honorary curator of the RBSA, he worked tirelessly for the society adding a caring thoughtful contribution at council meetings.

"Paul was also on the committee which helped to design and redesign the Edexel GCSE examination paper.

"Paul was becoming well known as a printmaker and his lino cuts were selected for exhibitions all over the country including the Royal Academy Summer Show.

"His workshops were meticulously planned and he demonstrated the best practice in art education in that he allowed the students to do more than they thought they could, by valuing the ideas they had.

"All of this shows a person of energy and drive, but he also played rugby into his forties, was a keen MG enthusiast, restoring and repairing his own cars, edited the Dudley Society newsletter and sat on a number of committees. Paul leaves a wife, son and two grandchildren.

"Paul was an unassuming character who made a fantastic contribution to the community of Birmingham and the West Midlands and I am honoured to have had him as a friend."

Catherine Macartney, on behalf of the organisers of Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival, said he was known as one of the foremost British linocut artists of today.

She said: “We wish to extend our sympathy to Paul’s family, friends and colleagues in the Midland Printmakers group and the RBSA. We are pleased that the prints selected by Paul just before his death will be on display at Exhibition 2017 as originally intended."

The exhibition is one of the largest in the county and features a comprehensive display of art, crafts and photography, ranging from the work of professional artists to student work from school pupils.

The exhibition's opening reception night will take place on July 31, after which it will be open every day from 11am to 6pm until August 12.