Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 21 October 2026 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ | £5 per person* | Book Now 

*General admission to York Art Gallery is included.

Pick up a pencil – draw and discover!

Give yourself time to sharpen and share your drawing skills in this 2-hour sketching workshop with artist Griselda Goldsbrough.

Enjoy working in sketchbooks in a relaxed and friendly group, taking inspiration from the collections at York Art Gallery.

These informal practical art sessions run one Wednesday each month for beginners or those who create regularly. Suitable for ages 16+. Materials are provided. Please book separately for each session.

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Date: Thursday 22 October 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 22 October 2026 |10am - 12pm
£2 per child, accompanying adult free | Book Now

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Date: Monday 26 October 2026, 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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

Celebrating the life and legacy of York-born designer and artist, John Flaxman, the exhibition explores his influence over fellow artists and design movements since the eighteenth century.

Flaxman’s illustrations of Homer’s Odyssey will be on display alongside works with strong classical themes by Flaxman, J.M.W. Turner, William Blake, Angelica Kauffman, Josiah Wedgwood and other acclaimed artists.

The tour starts at 5pm and will take approximately one hour, finishing at 6pm at York Art Gallery.

A top price ticket to see the 6.30pm performance of The Penelopiad at York Theatre Royal is included. Please email boxoffice@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk if you have any access requirements for your seat(s).

The play is written by Margaret Atwood, author of the modern feminist classic The Handmaid’s Tale and revisits Homer’s The Odyssey in a powerful, irreverent and darkly humorous retelling that unpicks one of the oldest of myths.

Tickets are £57 – which includes both the tour at York Art Gallery and the performance of The Penelopiad and can be purchased through York Theatre Royal’s website.

Please email boxoffice@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk for questions about your tickets.

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Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026, 10:15 am-12:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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  

*Ticket includes general admission to York Art Gallery, including our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Join the award-winning Story Craft Theatre and step into a world of imagination where art comes alive and stories leap off the walls!

This October Half-Term, there’s a new interactive storytelling adventure which takes inspiration from our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman, designed to spark curiosity, creativity and joy.

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Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Creative Families: Sculpt and Shape
Thursday 29 October 2026
Drop in between 10.30am – 3.30pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Experiment with sculpting techniques in this family-friendly workshop, inspired by our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

There’s no need to pre-book, just drop in on the day and get creative!

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Date: Friday 30 October 2026, 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Family Life Drawing 
Friday 30 October 2026
2pm – 3.30pm 
£10 per person* | Book Now
Suitable for ages 5+

*Ticket price includes general admission to York Art Gallery, including our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Join us at York Art Gallery for a family-friendly life drawing class, set in our latest exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Led by York based artist and tutor, Rob Oldfield, you’ll draw from a live model, exploring gesture, movement, shape and storytelling — turning what we see into expressive drawings. Expect quick sketches, big movements, curious observations and plenty of imagination.

This session is all about having a go, looking carefully and enjoying drawing together, no experience is necessary.

Important information:

These Life Drawing sessions are suitable for ages 5+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too.

Sessions will take place on gallery which will continue to be open to the public throughout, the model will be fully clothed for this session.

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Date: Saturday 31 October 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Drawing: Model as Muse
Saturday 31 October 2026
2pm – 4pm
£15 per person* | Book Now
Adult only (18+)

*Ticket price includes general admission to York Art Gallery, including our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Join us at York Art Gallery for Life Drawing Workshops; whether you are a regular participant, would like to hone your skills, or try life drawing for the first time. These 2-hour immersive Saturday sessions, led by York based artist and tutor Rob Oldfield, are a wonderful way to experience life drawing in a supportive and friendly environment.

Throughout autumn and winter, our sessions will be inspired by our latest exhibition, Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Important information:

Sessions are suitable for ages 18+. By booking, you are confirming that you are over 18. Proof of age may be required.

Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too.

If you’re more than 15 minutes late for your workshop, unfortunately we may not be able to guarantee entry. This is to ensure that participants have the best experience.

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Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 4 November  2026 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ | £5 per person* | Book Now

*General admission to York Art Gallery is included.

Pick up a pencil – draw and discover!

Give yourself time to sharpen and share your drawing skills in this 2-hour sketching workshop with artist Griselda Goldsbrough.

Enjoy working in sketchbooks in a relaxed and friendly group, taking inspiration from the collections at York Art Gallery.

These informal practical art sessions run one Wednesday each month for beginners or those who create regularly. Suitable for ages 16+. Materials are provided. Please book separately for each session.

View event >

Date: Thursday 5 November 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 5 November 2026 |10am - 12pm
£2 per child, accompanying adult free | Book Now

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Date: Saturday 14 November 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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