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Born in Hackney, east London, Peter was the son of Jack Wey, an engraver for gold and silversmiths, and Catherine (nee McIver). 

Peter studied painting at St Albans, his early work being influenced by Norman Adams, who taught there. He returned to the school in the 1960s as a fine art lecturer on the foundation course and was appointed to the arts therapy department as a full-time lecturer in 1974, rising to senior lecturer. When the art school merged with the University of Hertfordshire in 1992, Peter continued lecturing on the fine art course until his retirement in the mid-90s.

Peter, was a painter of landscapes full of soaring skies in the tradition of Turner, and a lecturer at St Albans School of Art and Craft who pioneered the professional development of arts therapists. St Albans from 1973 to 1992, involved in developing the postgraduate master’s degrees in art therapy and dramatherapy. The success of these courses was significant in establishing the arts therapies as registered professions in the NHS (1999).

Peter’s role was central to the work, being responsible for the practical studio and media core of the training. His skill lay in facilitating an open and secure environment in which students could take risks to create personal and often emotional work. Many students reported how they rediscovered their creativity in his workshops. It was fundamental to the course philosophy that art therapists in their work with patients should be in touch with their personal creative process.

Peter’s own painting developed fresh energy from summer visits to his wife Monika’s home in the Austrian Alps. Inspired by the vast skies, swirling mist and thermals of the mountains, his spontaneous use of watercolour and oil produced a range of colourful work full of movement and space.

Peter’s paintings were included in Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions as well as other group shows. He shared a joint exhibition, titled Landscape and Marks, in the Margaret Harvey gallery at the college in 1981, and the following year in Cambridge. He also has paintings in the Rotherham Heritage collection as well as St Albans Museum and the University of Hertfordshire.

Peter died from a stroke while photographing in his garden to prepare and add to his final piece of work, aged 82.

He was a true gentleman and a remarkable human.