Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Inspired by Flaxman Talk: Flaxman and the Royal Academy by Dr Richard Johns
Wednesday 23 September 2026
12 noon – 12.30pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

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, you’ll discover more about the role of anatomical study in the training of aspiring artists.

Richard Johns is a Professor in History of Art at University of York and specialises in aspects of British art from the 17th – 21st centuries, with a focus on the long 18th century. University of York partnered with York Art Gallery to co-curate Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

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Date: Thursday 24 September 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 24 September 2026 |10am - 12pm
£2 per person | Book Now

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Date: Saturday 26 September 2026, 10:30 am-3:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Plant Sale 

Saturday 26 September |10:30am-3:00pm| York Museum Gardens

Come and join us for the last plant sale of the year!

The plant sale will be running 10:30-3:00pm outside the Yorkshire Museum.

Not only will buying a plant support the work of York Museums Trust but will also be your chance to have a part of York Museum Gardens at home.

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Date: Thursday 1 October 2026, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Teachers’ CPD Event: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard
Thursday 1 October 2026 | 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Free, booking essential  | Book Now

Enjoy a tour of the Chariots, Treasure & Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard exhibition and handle original Iron Age artefacts as we discuss ways of bringing the story of Prehistoric Yorkshire to life in the classroom. We will also share details about the activities and resources we can offer schools at the Yorkshire Museum.

Teas, coffees and cakes will be provided.

This session takes place at the Yorkshire Museum. Spaces at this free event are limited, so secure your place now using our online form.

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Date: Saturday 3 October 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Studies: Line, Form & Figure
Saturday 3 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 a special 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 contour, proportion, rhythm and gesture, inspired by Flaxman’s distinctive linear drawings and his fascination with classical form.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious to try life drawing, this session is suitable for all abilities, offering a supportive and friendly environment within the beautiful surroundings of the gallery.

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.

Sessions will take place on gallery which will continue to be open to the public throughout.  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 7 October 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Community Birdwatch
Wednesday 7 October 2026
10:30am – 11:30am
Free, donations encouraged
Suitable for all ages
York Museum Gardens

Join Isabelle, a member of the Gardens Team for a community bird watch to spot some of the various bird species in the Museum Gardens.

Please meet at the bird feeding station next to the Rock Garden.

As a charity, York Museums Trust relies on donations to keep York Museum Gardens open and maintained, and provide free community activities like the Community Birdwatch. Although the activity is free, please consider donating if you are able to.

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Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Inspired by Flaxman Talk: John Flaxman’s Funerary Monuments by Michael Adam Smith 
Wednesday 7 October 2026
12 noon – 12.30pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

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. 

Michael Adam Smith is an academic from York University currently studying for a PhD entitled, John Flaxman: art, design and the intermedial body. His academic research has contributed to the curation of Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman and has played a pivotal role in the themes explored throughout.

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Date: Thursday 8 October 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 8 October 2026 |10am - 12pm
£2 per person | Book Now

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Date: Saturday 10 October 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Drawing: Model as Muse
Saturday 10 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: Sunday 11 October 2026, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art for Wellbeing
Sunday 11 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ |  Included in general admission | Book Tickets

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