Artwork depicting historic Preston building up for grabs at charity auction

Lancaster by the river by Josephine Whitehead

An artwork depicting a historic Preston building will soon be available to buy at an upcoming auction.

Artist Josephine Whitehead, classically trained at Durham University in the 1940s, sculpted and painted throughout her life, covering many subjects and mediums.

The artwork portrays The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Warehouse, situated in Butler Street and built to handle large amounts of imported raw cotton for weaving mills in the Preston area. As late as the mid-1960s, one floor was still full of cotton bales, while the top floor contained sacks of potatoes.

Preston Warehouse by Josephine Whitehead

Josephine’s daughter Ruth McCooey is arranging the auction through Mitchell’s at Cockermouth on 11 November 2021, with all proceeds going to Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Theatre by the Lake, Keswick.

Ruth said: “I want to pass this artwork on, and although I am not selling it, I would hope that anyone interested in receiving any of her work would be willing to make a donation to charities close to her heart.

“Above all, I want to find good homes for her work and am happy to agree on pre-auction sales. She always drew and painted from life.”

Born in the North East, Josephine lived much of her life either in Silverdale, North Lancs, raising a family, or in North Cumbria, in High Lorton and Keswick.

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