Manchester Metropolitan University is marking its 200th anniversary by honouring one of its most celebrated alumni, LS Lowry. The Stretford-born artist known globally for painting scenes of life in the industrial North West of England, attended Manchester Municipal School of Art, one of the early components of the modern-day University, from 1905-1915.
Now Manchester Met plans to rename the Benzie Building, the modern home of Manchester School of Art, as the Lowry Building from August 1, 2024. Lowry, who died in 1976, was 17 years old when he first attended evening classes at the School of Art, including life drawing lessons with renowned impressionist Adolphe Valette. Lowry later said that he could not “overestimate the impact” Valette had.
Professor Malcolm Press CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Manchester Met has a long history of creative excellence and as we celebrate our 200th anniversary it is appropriate for us to recognise our role in the career of such a renowned and much-loved artist as LS Lowry. His name is synonymous with the industrial heritage of Manchester and the North West of England, in the same way that Manchester Metropolitan is synonymous with providing the skills and expertise that has driven industry in the North West and beyond for the last 200 years.
“Today we are still enabling students to explore their creativity, by providing opportunities for them to innovate, create and shape the future across the entire spectrum of the arts. I hope that LS Lowry’s name and legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students, as well as researchers.”
The building renaming is being done with the consent and support of the Estate of LS Lowry, with director Richard Grossick describing the renaming of the building as “a fitting tribute to a man whose life and work is woven into the arts and cultural fabric of Greater Manchester”.
Richard Grossick, Director, The Estate of L. S. Lowry, added: “L. S. Lowry was a great advocate for the importance of arts education and training which he instilled in his ward and beneficiary Carol Ann Lowry as well as the many other young artists he encountered and encouraged throughout his life. On numerous occasions he acknowledged the significance and value of his time attending Manchester School of Art (Manchester Metropolitan University), to the development of his drawing technique critical to the production and appreciation of his life’s work.
“We hope that his work continues to inspire future generations in a building dedicated to his memory and central to the future of arts and cultural creativity, regionally, nationally and internationally.”
The Benzie Building, soon to be the Lowry Building, includes studios, a vertical gallery, and a roof garden with views across the city. An event by Manchester Met University to formally name the Lowry Building and celebrate the artist’s life and work will be held in the autumn.