Wakefield Museums and Castles

Alice Gostick and a group of her art students seated, holding their pottery pieces, in the early 1900s

Alice Gostick

Alice Gostick was an inspirational art teacher. She worked at Castleford Grammar School from 1911 – 1930. She was popular with her students, including the famous sculptor, Henry Moore. She encouraged them to experiment in their work.

Alice also ran evening classes in pottery painting for her pupils and their parents. The classes inspired similar sessions across the country.

By 1930, 170 art centres offered pottery painting lessons. They were an important part of adult education after the First World War.

Learn more about Alice Gostick and explore objects in our collection that tell us her story.

Alice Gostick's pottery class, December 1919

  

Alice Gostick and a group of her art students seated, holding their pottery pieces, in the early 1900s

Alice is seated on the far left. Henry Moore is sitting on the floor, far left. © The Henry Moore Foundation

Find out more

A handpainted ceramic coffee set with jug, beaker, milk jug and cups. The design featured simple blue squares with a green cross and white squares with blue spirals.

Coffee set, Alice Gostick, 1918

This coffee set is a beautiful example of Castleford peasant pottery. It was painted by Alice Gostick around 1918.
A ceramic sugar bowl hand-painted by Alice Gostick with a tree-inspired design

Sugar bowl and side plate, Alice Gostick, 1919

Alice Gostick hand-painted this colourful leaf and branch design around 1919.
A shallow dish handpainted with colourful abstract leaf designs

Dish, Henry Moore, 1920

We believe this dish was hand-painted by the famous sculptor Henry Moore. Moore was taught by Alice Gostick.
A thin ceramic vase handpainted with colourful squiggly patterns

Vase, Albert Wainwright, 1919

Albert Wainwright painted this vase in the 'peasant pottery' style, which he learnt from Alice Gostick.
A ceramic coffee jug with hand-painted delicate flower designs and the word 'coffee' in calligraphic handwriting

Coffee pot, Vera Ward, 1944

Vera Ward painted this coffee pot by hand at a class in Castleford in 1944.
A group of Castleford Academy students in uniform smiling in front of the Making their Mark display at Castleford Museum

Making their Mark by Castleford Academy

In 2023 we invited students from Castleford Academy to create work inspired by Alice Gostick. Their work went on display at Castleford Museum.
Alice Gostick seated and painting a piece of pottery, with 11 of her students (male and female). Henry Moore is one of the students, seated on the floor on the far left

Finding Alice Gostick

In this special article, our brilliant Research Volunteer, Katie, tells us about her experience tracing the life of Alice Gostick.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to our What's On newsletter for your chance to win a cream tea for two. You'll also get 50% off Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours!

Subscribe