Corby 'Ray of sunshine' honoured with presentation in his memory to beloved art studios

Ray Andrew, who died in 2019, was a founder member of the centre
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A Corby community group has kept the promise it made to a late artist by presenting print making equipment in his memory to the art studios he helped found.

Oakley Vale Community Association was gifted 'Corby Heritage' by Ray Andrew to be added to a sculpture park on the estate,and in return he asked for a donation the Corby Rooftop Arts centre.

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Hayley Andrew-Gibson, Ray's daughter, accepted a silk screen printing machine on behalf of the arts centre in recognition of the sculpture now postitioned in a lake on Oakley Vale.

She said: "I think the sculpture is beautiful. His grandchildren can go there and enjoy looking at it and we hope it brings joy to everyone else."

Corby Heritage incorporates wood from Rockingham Forest, steel from Stewarts and Lloyds and bricks from The Corby Brick Company.

The sculpture and another piece, Heron Tree, were helped into being by Cooney Marine in Kettering but the lake-based works of art unveiling in March had to be cancelled due to Covid.

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Paul Balmer, chairman of Oakley Vale Community Association, said: "Ray said that we could make a donation to the arts centre, so we are donating this silk screen printing machine in his honour."

Members of Oakley Vale Community Association with chairman Paul Balmer and Rooftop Arts Centre presentation of screen printing machineMembers of Oakley Vale Community Association with chairman Paul Balmer and Rooftop Arts Centre presentation of screen printing machine
Members of Oakley Vale Community Association with chairman Paul Balmer and Rooftop Arts Centre presentation of screen printing machine

The centre is home to 17 residents artists and hosts exhibitions as well creative arts sessions.

Dinah Kazakoff, director of Corby Rooftop Arts Centre, accepted the new equipment on behalf of the centre, where it will be used in classes and to create merchandise.

She said: "Ray was here at the start of the studios. He built them all. He was an artist and the main person at the heart of the gallery.

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"We called him our little Ray of sunshine and he was just amazing. He was taken away too soon and we miss him so much."

Ray AndrewRay Andrew
Ray Andrew

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