1846-1899
Sara Fawcett was the first supervisor of drawing in Newark. She had a “strong personality which was a combination of the clean-cut principles of her Puritan ancestors and a breadth of mind, clear vision and great tolerance”. Fawcett School was named in her honor. Students there in 1927 wrote, “She laid a firm and broad foundation for the art work of the city.”
Sara was born in Massachusetts and attended school in Boston, where she began teaching. She arrived in Newark in 1869 and became Second Assistant at Webster Street School. She moved up in the ranks quickly, becoming Vice Principal at Webster in 1872, and in 1879 Supervisor of Drawing for all the schools.
In Newark, Sarah lived in an apartment in “The Aldine” at 481 Broad St. The Newark News wrote, “Her studio was a welcome resort for many…and her library was always at the disposal of her friends.”
Bibliography
Baker, Mariana Narrative for tableaux; Newark Women of the Century.
“Miss Sara A Fawcett Dead” Newark News Nov 18, 1899
“Miss Fawcett, Late Drawing Instructor” Newark Sunday Call Nov 26, 1899
Board of Education reports, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library, digitized and other digitized material 1 2
Newark Picture Collection, Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center, Newark Library