Plans to transform one of Newark’s most historic buildings into a contemporary art gallery and café have been unveiled.
Contemporary Art Newark, a community interest company (CIC), has submitted a planning application to Newark and Sherwood District Council to convert the ground floor of The Ossington on Beastmarket Hill.
The CIC director, Mark Enstone, is hoping to bring the building into use as a gallery space showcasing nationally recognised artists, alongside workshops, events and community activities.
Mark Enstone, director of Contemporary Art Newark CIC at The Ossington. Photo by Iliffe Media.
“There is an opportunity to increase the cultural vitality of Newark,” he said.
“It’s about bringing more people to the town and making a better offering. For a big community of people, it becomes their place and creates a sense of ownership.”
The plans include exhibitions featuring works on loan from major public galleries and commercial galleries in London, with a focus on painting and photography.
If approved, the planning application would see a minimalist and discreet interior, preserving the ceilings, but the modern bar right at the front and modern balustrade would be dismantled. The modern counter and pizza oven would also be removed.
Mark Enstone, director of Contemporary Art Newark CIC at The Ossington. Photo by Iliffe Media.
The gallery would feature a freestanding display system to allow for exhibition flexibility and to minimise impact on the historic fabric across the three gallery rooms.
The modern tiled floor across the building would be replaced with a matching oak floor.
Mr Enstone said the East Midlands has fewer cultural institutions per head of population than any other region in the country and believes the project could help address that gap.
As well as gallery space, proposals include a café, shop in the foyer, and a redesigned courtyard garden overlooking the River Trent and Newark Castle.
Mark Enstone, director of Contemporary Art Newark CIC at The Ossington. Photo by Iliffe Media.
The garden would be open whenever the building is open, allowing visitors to enjoy the space even if they are not visiting an exhibition.
Mr Enstone added: “It’s an art gallery. It’s also about community — involvement, workshops, classes, talks, connection.
“It’s about bringing cultural vitality, building civic pride, building the visitor economy and helping our town thrive.”
Garden at The Ossington, Newark. Photo by Iliffe Media.
The Ossington, a Grade II-listed building at the entrance of the town, opened in 1882. Since then, it has served as a hotel, tax office, pub, Mr Haddock fish restaurant, the pizza chain Zizzi, and Stray’s.
“We will be showing the most exciting and forward-looking of contemporary painting and bringing nationally significant artists to Newark and the wider region,” Mr Enstone said/
“Our shows revolve around the fundamental joy of looking.
Mark Enstone, director of Contemporary Art Newark CIC at The Ossington. Photo by Iliffe Media.
“We want visitors to engage with, discuss and enjoy contemporary art and never to feel intimidated or lectured.
“With a year-round programme of contemporary art, a unique building and garden along with an engaged regional audience, we have much to offer corporate supporters.”
Contemporary Art Newark is currently operating as a CIC and is in the process of becoming a charity.
A decision on the planning application will be made by the district council at a later date.