Trailblazer 1️⃣3️⃣: Mary Tuke
Listen to Mary Tuke's Story
About The Sculpture
Find me at: St Lawrence Parish Church
W3W: ///trace.linen.mason
Researched by: Hempland School
Designed by: Heather Dawe and Sarah Jackson
Mary showed individuality and courage to be herself and follow her dreams and the children at Hempland school have loved researching more about how she stood out from the crowd!
Mary Tuke was a pioneering woman who displayed remarkable ambition, resilience, and courage. In 1725, as a Quaker in her thirties who had lost her family, Mary opened a grocer's shop in Walmgate, York, defying societal norms. She faced significant legal challenges as she lacked the necessary license from the Merchant Adventurers Company, which required becoming a Freeman of the City—a status that would have cost her a prohibitive £50.
Undeterred, Mary operated her shop illegally, enduring seven years of legal battles, fines, and threats of imprisonment. Her unwavering determination eventually led the Merchant Adventurers to relent, allowing her to legally run her shop and train an apprentice. Her nephew, who inherited the business, expanded it into a successful venture dealing in tea, coffee, and eventually cocoa.
Mary Tuke's business was eventually sold to the Rowntree family, evolving into the renowned Rowntree's company, now part of Nestlé. Mary’s legacy lives on, inspiring students at Hempland Primary School. Her values of resilience, opportunity, ambition, and respect align with the school's curriculum, making her an enduring role model for the children.
Meet The Artist
Sarah Jackson
Having studied languages at University, Sarah came to her own artistic practice much later after completing a City and Guild’s qualification in creative techniques (textiles) in 2013. Sarah has taught print and stitch workshops in schools and delivers workshops and talks for adult groups, too. She loves to create evocative pieces of art using vintage and antique fabrics, threads and papers. These are often inspired by folk art, byzantine art and iconography.
Sarah joined other artists at PICA Studios in 2020 and - in between her main job of delivering walking tours of the city - is able to enjoy experimenting with different media and techniques, inspired by the people and places around her.
About The Design
❝Sarah is working with weaving artist Heather Dawe and together we are focusing on making braids and cords from recycled fabric with the pupils at Hempland Primary School.
The idea is to use these braids to weave into the wings of the tansy beetle to reflect the strengths and characteristics of the trailblazer Mary Tuke. In this way the beetle sculpture will 'stand out from the crowd' in the same way that Mary did amongst her contemporaries.
Sarah is the Co-Director of a walking tour company and loves to showcase York’s history to national and international visitors. Working on this project is a privilege as it combines her previous arts work in schools with her current job as a local tour guide. The tansy beetles will provide an eye-catching trail to entice visitors and locals alike to understand more of the amazing heritage of our city – from its people to its unique flora and fauna.❞
Discover York Trailblazers
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Meet the York Trailblazers ▸
Explore all 17 York Trailblazers, discover how they influenced York's history, and learn about the artists who brought their stories to life.
Meet The Artists ▸
Get to know the talented artists behind the sculptures and see how they artfully integrated the trailblazers' lives onto the Tansy Beetle.
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CRESCENGO - The Jewels of York ▸
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Metalwork Creations ▸
Learn more about Tom Springett of Metalwork Creations, the production company behind the beetles, who bring a rich background of metalwork that has seen an international audience.
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Women and Diversity in Ancient and Tudor York ▸
An extra trail for those wanting to discover more inspiring women of York and the learn about the diversity of the city.
Discover the York Trailblazers: A Deep Dive into Their Stories ▸
This blog offers a deep dive into York Trailblazers sculpture trail, exploring the rich histories of Trailblazers like Anne Lister and W. H. Auden, and their lasting impact.