Tower views captured in Lichfield artist’s new designs

Lichfield artist Jackie Roberts of Love2dream has teamed up with fellow Chamber member The Hub at St Mary’s to create her ‘Views from the Tower’ designs.

The designs mark the reopening of the tower at The Hub at St Mary’s in June after it was closed for nearly 10 years.

The tower, which also houses bells that are almost 300 years old, is now open to the public - and guided tower tours can be booked on the venue’s website.

Jackie (pictured) has been selling her Lichfield designs on a range of products in The Little Shop at The Hub since the shop opened in 2021 and her collection of coasters, tea towels, bags and prints remain popular with visitors.

When Louise Fleming, CEO of The Hub, made plans to refurbish the tower back in 2023 and realised the drawings of the panoramic views needed to be replaced, it was an obvious choice to ask Jackie.

Louise said: “The old drawings were similar in style to Jackie’s and I knew she’d do a good job.

“We’ve had lots of lovely comments about the boards which help our visitors to identify the buildings they can see through the windows.

“They’re supported with fascinating facts by local historian, Jono, so it really has been a team effort.

Jackie added: “I was so honoured to be asked to create the drawings for the boards.

“Each is hand drawn and in total took nearly 200 hours to complete, but I can now say I’ve drawn almost every building in Lichfield City centre (well, from above!).

“It’s exciting to think that they are the second thing visitors to the tower will see after the view and fantastic to have been able to create a legacy for future generations to see.”

Jackie has also created postcards displaying the views, available to buy in The Little Shop, with a proportion of sales going towards the running of The Hub.

The Hub is a multi-use heritage and arts venue, in the centre of Lichfield. 

It features a community coffee shop, gallery, Little Shop and varied programme of high-quality performing arts events. 

As a charity, every purchase made in The Hub funds community activities, helps to subsidise the space for local not-for-profit groups and provides new, exciting and accessible events and exhibitions.