'Dear Manchester': The paintings that are one man's love letter to a city

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

He was a Cumbrian lad. But he has left a legacy to Manchester. Firstly hundreds of school children were inspired by him during his 22 years as a popular English teacher at St Peter's RC High School in Prestwich - now St Monica's.

But, despite a 'tearaway' past, he had a special talent. This month it will be unveiled to the city he adopted as his home. 'Dear Manchester' is a collection of 40 oil paintings and several charcoal sketches by the late David Langston, who came to the city 53 years ago in search of work. READ MORE: Has Manchester changed too much? 'I feel guilty that I was part of it' The famous Express newspaper buildings on Great Ancoats Street, the Hacienda nightclub, Manchester Central Station, and Angel Meadows are among the iconic landmarks and buildings which feature in an exhibition being staged in the Northern Quarter at the Saan 1 Art Gallery on March 18 and 19.

The show, curated by the late artist’s wife Ann Langston, also features some well-known Lancashire scenes too and is open to the public free for the weekend, as a celebration of the artist’s passion for the city, region and for his love of art.

Langston, who died in March last year, aged 80, was an avid sketcher and painter for over five decades, finding a passion for painting and creativity after being something of a self-described 'tearaway' in his youth.