As part of Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman, we’re delighted to be offering a wide range of talks, activities and workshops inspired by the show.

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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 exhibition and our wider permanent collections. 

Adult Workshops

Life Studies: Line, Form & Figure
Saturday 3 October 2026
Friday 20 November 2026
Saturday 5 December 2026 
2pm – 4pm
£15 per person* | Book Now
Adult only (18+)
Draw from a live model, exploring contour, proportion, rhythm and gesture in this special life drawing class inspired by John Flaxman’s distinctive linear drawings and his fascination with classical form. This session is set in our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman. 

Life Drawing: Model as Muse 
Saturday 10 October 2026 
Saturday 31 October 2026 
Saturday 12 December 2026 
Saturday 9 January 2027
2pm – 4pm
£15 per person* | Book Now 
Adult only (18+)
Experience life drawing in a supportive and friendly environment at York Art Gallery. Sessions are led by York based artist and tutor Rob Oldfield. Throughout autumn and winter, our sessions will be inspired by our latest exhibition, Turner, Wedgewood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman. 

Please note: Workshops are suitable for all abilities. Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too. 

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Family Workshops

During October Half-Term, we have a variety of family-friendly activities inspired by the exhibition.

Gallery Tales  
Wednesday 28 October 2026
Session 1: 10.15am – 11am | Session 2: 11.30am – 12.15pm  
£7 per child* | Book Now
Recommended for ages 2-8  
Join the award-winning Story Craft Theatre and step into a world of imagination. This Half-Term, there’s a new interactive storytelling adventure which takes inspiration from our exhibition Turner, Wedgewood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman, designed to spark curiosity, creativity and joy.   

Creative Families: Sculpt & Shape 
Thursday 29 October 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm  
Included in general admission  | Pre-book admission tickets
Suitable for all ages  
Experiment with sculpting techniques in this family-friendly workshop, inspired by our exhibition Turner, Wedgewood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.  

Family Life Drawing  
Friday 30 October 2026
2pm – 3.30pm  
£10 per person* | Book Now
Suitable for ages 5+
Draw from a live model, exploring gesture, movement, shape and storytelling in this special life drawing class for families. Turn what you see into expressive drawings with quick sketches, big movements, curious observations and plenty of imagination. Led by York based artist and tutor Rob Oldfield, this session is set in our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman. 

Please note: Workshops are suitable for all abilities. Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. 

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Inspired by Flaxman Talks

A series of monthly half-hour gallery talks that take a deeper dive into the academic research underpinning the exhibition and artistic practise inspired by the work of John Flaxman.

Talks are included in general admission tickets. Pre-book admission tickets

Inspired by Flaxman Talk: Flaxman and the Royal Academy by Dr Richard Johns, Professor in History of Art at University of York and co-curator of the exhibition
Wednesday 23 September 2026
12 noon – 12.30pm
This talk explores John Flaxman’s lifelong creative association with the Royal Academy of Arts in London. From his early years as one of the first cohort of students of the nascent Academy in 1769, to his appointment as its inaugural Professor of Sculpture, we will explore the role of anatomical study in the training of aspiring artists.  

Inspired by Flaxman Talk: John Flaxman’s Funerary Monuments by Michael Adam Smith, PhD student at University of York
Wednesday 7 October 2026
12 noon – 12.30pm
The bulk of Flaxman’s sculptural output comprises over 200 extant funerary monuments. Installed in churches across Britain and overseas, they range from small memorial tablets commissioned by bereaved families to publicly funded monuments commemorating British military heroes. This talk will provide an overview of Flaxman’s work in this field, discussing his modelling process, his relationship with clients and his continual reinterpretation of favourite motifs.  

Inspired by Flaxman Exclusive Tour and The Penelopiad York Theatre Royal.
Monday 26 October 2026
5pm – 8pm
£57 per person (includes tour of York Art Gallery and ticket to theatre)

York Art Gallery Exclusive Tour and Evening Performance of The Penelopiad | Book Tickets via York Theatre Royal

Join York Art Gallery’s Senior Curator, Dr Beatrice Bertram, for an exclusive tour of the Gallery’s new exhibition, Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman before heading to York Theatre Royal for an evening performance of The Penelopiad.

More details coming soon about future talks.

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