As part of Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print, we’re delighted to be offering a wide range of talks, events and workshops inspired by the show.

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Family-friendly activities and events

Make a Splash!
Saturday 28 March – Sunday 12 April 2026

Join us during the Easter holidays for artist led workshops and drop-in activities for all ages, inspired by Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

Making Waves: A Closing Celebration
Saturday 29 August 2026, 10am – 5pm
Sunday 30 August 2026, 10am – 5pm

Join us to celebrate the closing of the exhibition with a 2-day festival of music, workshops, creative activities, food, drink for all the family in the gallery and Museum Gardens.

Activities included in general admission, unless otherwise stated.

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Programme of workshops

Follow the links below to find out more about the individual workshops and to book tickets.

All workshop tickets include entry to the Making Waves exhibition and our wider permanent collections. 

Friday 27 February,  11am–4.30pm – Dive into Woodblock Printing

Saturday 28 February, 2pm–5pm – The Great Wave Print Party  SOLD OUT

Sunday 19 April, 10am–4pm – An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro

Sunday 17 May, 10am–4pm – An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Printing

Sunday 21 June, 10am–12.30pm – Ikebana Floral Design

Saturday 11 July, 10am–4pm – An Introduction to Mokuhanga

Sunday 12 July, 10am–4pm – An Introduction to Japanese Bookbinding (Ori-hon & Toji-hon)

Saturday 29 August, 11am–12 noon – The Art of Kokedama

Sunday 30 August, 11am – 12 noon – The Art of Kokedama

Please note: Workshops are suitable for all abilities, aged 16+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided.

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Making Waves Talks
Every first Wednesday of the month, 12 noon – 12.30pm
No booking required, included in general admission

A series of monthly half-hour gallery talks led by curators, academics and gallery specialists exploring the art, techniques and cultural context of Japanese woodblock print.

Please note each session will take place in the Making Waves exhibition, unless otherwise stated.

Wednesday 4 March 2026, 12 noon – ‘Global Samurai: Japan’s Warriors across Time and Space’ with Professor Oleg Benesch, Professor of Modern History at the University of York.

Wednesday 1 April 2026, 12 noon – ‘Secret Lives of Samurai Women: An Introduction to York Art Gallery’s Newly Acquired Print’ with Dr Eleanor Jackson, Curator of Fine Art at York Art Gallery who curated Making Waves.

Wednesday 6 May 2026, 12 noon – ‘A Deeper Dive: How Japanese Prints Changed Western Art’ with Dr Helena Cox, Curator of Contemporary, Historic and Modern Fine Art and Craft at the University of York.

Wednesday 3 June 2026, 12 noon – ‘Conservation up Close: Caring for Japanese Woodblock Prints’ with Mhairi Boyle, a conservation professional.

Wednesday 1 July 2026, 12 noon – ‘Fresh Cuts: Contemporary Woodblock Printing’ with Gillian Ramsay, Assistant Curator at the Durham University Oriental Museum.

Wednesday 5 August 2026, 12 noon – ‘Making Waves: The Magic of Materials’ with Professor Helen Smith, the founding co-director of Thin Ice Press, the Department of English and Related Literature’s in-house letterpress studio.

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Tickets for workshops will be released alongside general admission tickets in monthly batches.

If tickets for the workshop or activity you are interested in aren’t currently on sale, please contact art.gallery@ymt.org.uk to be added to the waitlist. We will email to notify once tickets are available.