Newark Town Hall museum welcomes artistic presentation

Two donations have been donated to the town’s museum in a celebration of Newark's artistic heritage.

On Tuesday (March 18), Newark Town Hall welcomed Bernard Martin, who presented an engraved limewood block and prints created by his friend, the late Charles O'Connor.

The print, made by Newark printer Roy Stephenson in the late 1960s, captures a view of Kirkgate, featuring the West front and spire of Newark’s Parish Church, highlighted by a sunburst.

Mr O'Connor, who lost his right leg in the First World War at the Battle of Ypres, later pursued his passion for the arts.

His works include engravings of Newark, Southwell, and Lincoln, alongside portraits of indigenous people and detailed depictions of flora and fauna.

Trevor Smith also contributed to the day’s commemorations by donating a watercolour coastal scene painted by Newark artist Fanny H Basterfield.

The painting had been a wedding gift to Smith’s mother from the Easterfield family, with who his grandmother had worked in service.

The artist, Mrs Basterfield, who lived from 1858 to 1932, was known for her picturesque landscapes and interiors.

After training at the South Kensington School of Art in London, she returned to Newark as a private art tutor, sharing her knowledge with the town's aspiring artists.

Her works captured landmarks from across the area like Newark Castle, the Parish Church, and the Roman Bridge at Claypole, and she exhibited her art locally and regionally.

Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Basterfield was an active community member, teaching Sunday School and supporting the League of Nations Union.

She also held annual pre-Christmas exhibitions at her home, offering people the chance to buy her works.

The Friends of Newark Town Hall Museum, who attended the presented, expressed their appreciation for the donations, which will help the museum’s collection grow in the future.

"We are delighted to accept these donations to the museum. Charles O'Connor was a gifted artist who lived in Newark, and we do not have much of his incredible work in the collection, so this donation is significant,” Becky Fawcett said.

“To have a painting by Harriet Easterfield, who made her living painting and giving lessons in Newark is another generous donation.

“Both donations are going to help tell the diverse story of Newark artists and we are very grateful for the support from Mr Martin and Mr Smith."