Otto Bookstore features works of internationally acclaimed artist Simon Ward

Williamsport, Pa. — Otto Bookstore is launching a month-long showcase featuring globally acclaimed artist Simon Ward, highlighting many of his most prominent works in the downtown bookstore.

The August showcase is the inaugural installation of the bookstore’s new feature celebrating local artists.

Simon Ward is a globally respected painter who found his love of Formula One racing at the very young age of 7 when he attended the British Grand Prix in 1973 at Silverstone in Northamptonshire, England.

Simon can happily point to August 25, 1986, as the day he decided on a career as a professional artist. He was attending the Birmingham Super Prix where he met a Formula One driver named Ivan Capelli. Capelli was quite impressed with Simon’s work and hired him for his very first commission.

Since those days he has gone on to become a globally respected artist whose works feature reproductions of classic moments from racing throughout the history of the sport from Formula 1, Le Mans, GT and Sports Cars, plus vintage racing machines.

Along with his paintings of vintage Ferraris, Porches and Bugatti’s Ward has created images of famous Penn State athletes such as Saquon Barkley. The exhibit also features collaboration works with another local artist: Leslie James. Simon says this recent partnership, with James, has brought about some wonderful moments and joy to the artistic process. Another favorite of Ward’s is the original Batmobile as he imagines it on the streets of Williamsport.

His works are available for sale during the showing at Otto Bookstore throughout the month of August.