Wakefield Museums and Castles: Miss Gostick's Tea Set

'Miss Gostick's Tea Set' was written by Susan McCartney, a member of the Wakefield Word Writers' Group.

It was written in response to the Alice Gostick pottery set in our 100 Years of Collecting Online Exhibition. The set is also on display at Castleford Museum.

A tea-set, an item so commonplace
With the flick of the brush and twist of the wrist
Is transformed by Alice’s skill and grace

Each stroke of the colour blue

Each vibrant curl and square take shape

Each brush alive with vibrant hue

Painting pottery is her art. She guides, she inspires, serving only to share

She’s a teacher. A muse

And her students absorb her passion, her flair

Students, be they novice or prodigy, blossom in Alice’s classroom

Not only a room, but so much more

It’s a place where dreams expand and creativity blooms

The young Henry Moore

Eyes narrowed in concentration

Decorates a plate as he sits cross-legged on the floor

You may hear her words, ‘Mr Wainwright, your brushwork is quite sublime’

At her night school for adults, artists all

And she may call ‘Mr Moore, your painting is so delicate, so fine’

In Alice’s hands, there’s a desire to create in every finger, and on every face

For the nation, the humble clay is transformed to a glorious creation

When Alice, Albert, and Henry commence to paint