TRIBUTES have flooded in for a former Colchester teacher who was “generous” and a “friend to the arts”.

Keith Albarn, who was the head of art, design and media at Colchester Institute from 1981 to 1997, died from cancer on July 23, aged 85.

Husband to Hazel, father of Damon and Jessica, and grandfather to Rudy and Missy, Keith was an artist, architect and teacher, who championed the arts.

After moving to Colchester in the 1980s, he helped establish Cuckoo Farm Studios and formed the Colchester and District Visual Arts Forum, which later became Firstsite.

Gone but not forgotten - Keith AlbarnGone but not forgotten - Keith Albarn (Image: N/A)

Keith also served as a trustee for the Minories, the District Visual Arts Trust, and Colchester Arts Centre.

He eventually moved from Colchester to Devon but his impact in the city has lived on.

Nigel Hildreth is a former music teacher who worked at the Stanway School from 1981 until 1987, and taught Keith’s children, Blur frontman Damon and artist Jessica.

After meeting Keith, Mr Hildreth was taken “under his wing” and introduced to the Essex Festival, and the board of Colchester Arts Centre, where he remains to this day.

He said: “We also worked on Colchester Arts Forum, which we established and got running.

“He was instrumental in plans for Colchester’s Firstsite.

“He went on and moved away from the area, but we bumped into each other at concerts and art activity events organised in Colchester.

“I have a lot to thank him for. He was a real generous person, but also quite a visionary in putting ideas together.

“He was very much a champion of the arts, he wanted to see things be developed and expanded.

“He had a lovely sense of humour, and it was great working together on projects.

“He was also a friend to the arts and to arts organisations in Colchester”

Anthony Roberts, director of Colchester Arts Centre, was awarded an honorary degree alongside Keith back in 2016.

He said: “There was a time, back in the 90s, when Keith was on just about every arts organisation board of trustees.

“Such was his generosity of spirit, his passion for arts, his skill in navigating the landscape and his utterly compelling gift of persuasion that his impact and legacy for the arts in Colchester cannot be underestimated.

“For me, he acted as an unofficial mentor, a guiding light, watching his gentle but driven sense of purpose in bringing people together has been invaluable to me.

“It meant so much to receive my doctorate on the same day as him and to celebrate together.”

A spokesman for Colchester Institute said: “Keith Albarn was a much-loved colleague, a highly respected tutor and head of school for art, design and media at Colchester Institute between 1981 to 1997.

“In 2016 Keith was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the College’s University Centre Colchester graduation ceremony, honoured for his vast contribution to art, design, education, science and mathematics, along with his services to the college.

“Keith had an infectious personality and a very natural talent to interact and connect with everyone, inspiring his students and colleagues to be the best they possibly can be.

“There was a huge sense of inclusion, belonging, camaraderie and community whilst Keith was at the college.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this devastating time.”

Emma Howe, director of the Minories, in Colchester High Street, called him “a true creative force” in the city.

“The Minories is deeply sad to hear about the death of Keith Albarn," she said.  

“Whilst I never had the pleasure of meeting him myself, I have met many people who speak fondly and thankfully of him for all the work he did in building the cultural scene in Colchester.”

“He will be missed by many.”