News: Rotherham optician shows his artistic vision

The latest piece of artwork to be displayed in the town centre open air art gallery has been painted by one of Rotherham's own retailers.

Nick English of T. English Optician was more than happy to allow a blank wall of his Wellgate property to be used in the innovative Gallery Town project. He was even happier when he found out he could use it to display his own work on a large scale.

Gallery Town involves the creation of an open air art gallery to help regenerate Rotherham town centre and increase the number of visitors.

The idea came from a group of local business people working alongside the local strategic partnership and town centre team looking at ways to regenerate and encourage more shoppers and visitors into Rotherham, in order to drive the local economy.

Nick's artwork, a stunning hand-painted lion, is featured alongside 60 pieces of artwork by local, national and world renowned artists and schoolchildren that have been displayed on the side of buildings in over 35 locations throughout the town centre.

Nick said: "I paint wildlife as a hobby using my fingers. This method gives texture to the piece and is also fun to do!

"I try to concentrate on specific parts of the subject."

As well as offering sight tests, contact lenses and designer spectacles, Nick welcomes artwork commissions.

Gallery Town website

Images: Gallery Town