Events

An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro – Sun 19 Apr 2026

Date: Sunday 19 April 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro

Sunday 19 April 2026 | 10.00am-4.00pm

Suitable for those aged 16+| £ 60 per person | Tickets coming soon

An opportunity to learn the traditonal Japanese textle mending method of Sashiko and Boro stiching led by artist Seiko Kinoshita. Sashiko means “little stabs” in Japanese or “little pierce” and is a way of decorating fabric by sewing small, repetitive stitches that started out of practical need during the Edo era (1615-1868) in Japan.

In this workshop you’ll be introduced to the basic techniques, using tradtional tools and materials, to create your own unique textile hanging to take home.

Seiko completed a BA in Formative Art at Kinki University, Japan and worked as a printed textile designer and CAD operator for 4 years. On gaining a Rotary International Scholarship, she came to the UK to study an MA in Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University. After finishing her MA, she moved to Sheffield to take a two year Starter Studio Programme at Yorkshire Artspace, Persistence Works. Seiko has her own studio there and enjoys working towards exhibitions, commissions and educational art workshops with schools and community groups.

All materials provided

Suitable for those aged 16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Refreshments provided by Sketch Cafe.

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Gallery Babies – Thu 23 Apr 2026

Date: Thursday 23 April 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies

Thursday 23 April 2026, 10am – 12pm

Free | Pre-booking required | Tickets coming soon

Burton Gallery

Drop-in sensory play sessions every Thursday during term-time, for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups, set in the atmospheric surroundings of York Art Gallery.

Using our beautiful sensory toolkit, a collection of colourful squishy sculptural objects, sessions will be gently facilitated, exploring shape, colour and texture.

Gallery Babies is a welcoming and supportive space to relax, bond with your baby and meet other parents and carers, providing a bit of calm and care to your daily routine.

The session starts at 10am and finishes at 12pm, but you can drop in and out at any time. Even after the session has finished, our sensory toolkit will remain on gallery for you to continue to explore with your baby.

These sessions are designed for pre-walking babies, however we understand that you may have your hands full with more than one child! If that’s the case the Studio will be open and can be used as a space to play, read and eat much needed snacks outside of the galleries if needed. Buggy parking and baby changing facilities available.

We are also offering a special offer in Sketch café for anybody attending a session: Hot drink and cake £7.00 and lunch and drink £15.00.

Please note: Gallery Babies admission includes free access to the permanent gallery spaces, tickets for temporary exhibitions require a separate admissions ticket.

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Gallery Babies – Thu 30 Apr 2026

Date: Thursday 30 April 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies

Thursday 30 April 2026, 10am – 12pm

Free | Pre-booking required | Tickets coming soon

Burton Gallery

Drop-in sensory play sessions every Thursday during term-time, for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups, set in the atmospheric surroundings of York Art Gallery.

Using our beautiful sensory toolkit, a collection of colourful squishy sculptural objects, sessions will be gently facilitated, exploring shape, colour and texture.

Gallery Babies is a welcoming and supportive space to relax, bond with your baby and meet other parents and carers, providing a bit of calm and care to your daily routine.

The session starts at 10am and finishes at 12pm, but you can drop in and out at any time. Even after the session has finished, our sensory toolkit will remain on gallery for you to continue to explore with your baby.

These sessions are designed for pre-walking babies, however we understand that you may have your hands full with more than one child! If that’s the case the Studio will be open and can be used as a space to play, read and eat much needed snacks outside of the galleries if needed. Buggy parking and baby changing facilities available.

We are also offering a special offer in Sketch café for anybody attending a session: Hot drink and cake £7.00 and lunch and drink £15.00.

Please note: Gallery Babies admission includes free access to the permanent gallery spaces, tickets for temporary exhibitions require a separate admissions ticket.

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An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Printing – Sun 17 May 2026

Date: Sunday 17 May 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Printing

Sunday 17 May 2026 | 10.00am-4.00pm

Suitable for ages 16+ | £60 per person | Tickets coming soon

Made famous by artists such as Hokusai and ‘The Great Wave’, the Japanese woodblock printing, or ‘Mokuhanga’ technique dates back hundreds of years, and is still used by contemporary artists all over the world today. Mokuhanga differs from Western methods of woodblock printing which use oil-based inks and heavy equipment such as presses. Instead it uses water-based inks and there is no need for a press, which make it a versatile, accessible and non-toxic method of printmaking.

On this taster course you will be guided through designing an image and transferring it to a wood block, carving using specialist tools, and printing your image by hand with watercolour paints, to create a small edition of A5 prints to take home. There will also be the opportunity to experiment with using creative inking techniques such as ‘bokashi’ to achieve gradients and multi-coloured prints.

The aim of this course is to give learners an idea of the possibilities of Mokuhanga as a medium to create images, and to have fun and get inky. (Carving and printing can also be very relaxing once you get into that ‘flow state!’). It would suit anyone with an interest in printmaking – both beginners or those who are looking for a refresher, but please be aware that carving does require a reasonable amount of dexterity.

The tutor, Kathryn Desforges, is an artist and printmaker based in West Yorkshire. She makes, exhibits and sells limited edition, handmade original contemporary prints and artist books. In 2018 she undertook a 5 week residency in Japan studying Japanese woodblock printing, and has been teaching the technique ever since. www.kathryndesforges.co.uk

All materials provided

Suitable for those aged 16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Refreshments provided by Sketch Cafe.

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Home and Gardens Fair – Sat 20 Jun 2026

Dates: Saturday 20 June 2026–Sunday 21 June 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Home & Gardens Fair
Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 June 2026 | 10am – 4:30pm
York Museum Gardens | Tickets available soon

York Museums Trust is thrilled to announce its very first Home & Gardens Fair in the beautiful York Museums Gardens – a celebration of style, creativity and inspiration for every corner of your home and garden.

Wander through colourful displays of plants and flowers, discover unique garden furniture and outdoor living ideas, and browse a wide selection of beautiful homeware, from soft furnishings and kitchen treasures to elegant decorations.

The show will also feature natural body and skincare products, stylish clothing and accessories, and a mouth-watering choice of artisan food and drink from local makers.

Alongside the stalls, enjoy a lively programme of talks from experts including Nikki Barker, Horticultural Sustainability Manager at RHS, demonstrations and live music, making this a day out to remember for all ages.

We are now welcoming applications from businesses who would like to showcase their products at this exciting new event in the heart of York City Centre. Applications are open until 31 March 2026. To register your interest, please complete the trader booking form. Our Events Team will endeavour to acknowledge to your application within 5 working days. You can view the T&Cs here.

Admission tickets will be on sale soon – keep an eye out for updates and join us for a wonderful day out with family and friends, celebrating homes, gardens and good living.

Featuring ‘Peat Free and beyond – sustainable growing’ talk by Nikki Barker, Horticultural Sustainability Manager at RHS.

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Ikebana Floral Design – Sun 21 Jun 2026

Date: Sunday 21 June 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Ikebana Floral Design

Sunday 21 June 2026 | 10.00am – 4.00pm

Suitable for ages 16+ | £60 per person | Tickets coming soon

A modern approach to using fresh cut flowers led by floral design studio Terra Flora.

Celebrate the summer soltice with this Japanese inspired floral design workshop. The workshop in part teaches the main principals of Ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging) with its emphasis on finding inspiration in the natural world, and, in part demonstrates a modern interpretation of this ancient tradition.

Whether you’re familiar with Ikebana or not, you most likely have encountered its stylistic signatures; the embrace of negative space, a dramatic asymmetry and a focus on the engagement of the natural world. In this workshop we will guide you in creating beautiful bowl displays, offer up our knowledge of working seasonally and give you the tools and practical skills needed to create stunning displays at home.

The workshop is for everyone and gives all participants plenty of time to learn, explore and be creative. You don’t need to bring anything with you, as all tools and materials needed for the session will be provided. At the end of the workshop, you will go home with your creations that will include a basic kit to get you started on your floral journey. The kit includes a kenzan (flower pin frog) and a simple display bowl.

Terra Flora is a floral design atelier based in Saltaire, West Yorkshire. We work with the seasons to make naturalistic florals and botanical installation spaces for occasions and events. We take our inspiration directly from nature echoing how plants and flowers grow together, but with a modern twist. We have established a cutting garden at our studio home that allows us to design with fresh flowers that we grow through the seasons. We love to share our learned knowledge and experience and our floral workshops are designed to give participants a balance between gaining practical knowledge and getting creative.

All materials provided

Suitable for those aged 16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Refreshments provided by Sketch Cafe.

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Futuresound’s Live in York Museum Gardens: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Thu 9 Jul 2026

Date: Thursday 9 July 2026, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Futuresound’s Live in York Museum Gardens: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Thursday 9 July 2026 | 5pm
Sold out | Join the waitlist
York Museum Gardens

New wave trailblazers, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, will play York Museum Gardens on Thursday 9th July alongside fellow new wave luminaries Heaven 17 and China Crisis, as well as rising star singer-songwriter Andrew Cushin, fresh from supporting the likes of Louis Tomlinson and Noel Gallagher.

Please note: This is not a York Museums Trust event. To purchase tickets and for more information please visit Futuresound’s website.

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Futuresound’s Live in York Museum Gardens: Self Esteem – Fri 10 Jul 2026

Date: Friday 10 July 2026, 5:00 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Friday 10 July 2026 | 5pm | General sale tickets available from 5 December 2025
York Museum Gardens
Book here

Released in April this year, Self Esteem’s third album, A Complicated Woman, follows her critically acclaimed and Mercury Award-nominated sophomore full-length, Prioritise Pleasure. Boundary-breaking, experimental and as awkward as it is awesome; A Complicated Woman finds the artist, a.k.a musician, songwriter and actress Rebecca Lucy Taylor pairing stadium-worthy singalongs with her signature sardonic delivery.

Joining Self Esteem on the night will be South African ‘future ghetto funk’ pioneer Moonchild Sanelly, Nigeria-born now Sweden-based spoken word artist and musician Joshua Idehen and more acts still to be announced.

To purchase tickets and for more information please visit the Futuresounds website

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An Introduction to Mokuhanga – Sat 11 Jul 2026

Date: Saturday 11 July 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

An Introduction to Mokuhanga

Saturday 11 July 2026 | 10.00am – 4.00pm

Suitable for ages 16+| £60 per person | Tickets coming soon

n opportunity to experience the art of Japanese water-based woodblock printing with artist Lucy May Schofield. In this one-day workshop you will be introduced to the unique carving technique of mokuhnaga and have to the chance to print an image from colour-separation woodblocks on Japanese mulberry paper (kozo washi) with a hand-held press (baren) . Each stage encourages a mindful approach, from carving the woodblocks to applying the watercolour ink and rice starch glue to the blocks with brushes and using pressure from the arm and hand to make a print. You will be sure to gain an appreciation of the variety of skills required in this craft to create the prints on show in the Making Waves exhibition.

Lucy lives in the Northumberland National Park where she works from her studio and is inspired daily by the vast land and sky scape. She has studied mokuhanga for ten years, through intensive training and residency programmes in Japan, regularly returning to expand her knowledge of this ever-inspiring, intricate and beautiful craft. Lucy teaches mokuhanga all around the UK and Europe, as well as leading one-to-one tuition from her studio. She is a member of the Mokuhanga Sisters, a collective of nine international artists working with water-based woodblock printmaking who collaborate and exhibit together.

All materials provided

Suitable for those aged 16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Refreshments provided by Sketch Cafe.

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An Introduction to Japanese Bookbinding (Ori-hon & Toji-hon) – Sun 12 Jul 2026

Date: Sunday 12 July 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

An Introduction to Japanese Bookbinding (Ori-hon & Toji-hon)

Sunday 12 July 2026 | 10am – 4pm

Suitable for ages 16+ | £60 per person | Tickets available soon

An opportunity to learn the techniques of the Japanese style accordion book (Ori hon) and a simple stab sewn book (Toji hon) with artist Lucy May Schofield. Using Japanese kozo washi (mulberry paper) you will be guided through the process of learning how to score, fold, glue and sew two of the most elegant traditional Japanese book forms. The four hole Toji-hon has a decorative stitched spine and a soft cover and the folded Ori-hon has multiple pages attached together seamlessly with a hard back cover. Both books will be made with blank pages allowing them to be used as note or sketch books in the future.

Lucy lives in the Northumberland National Park where she works from her studio and is inspired daily by the vast land and sky scape. She studied Book Arts and Printmaking in London and Japan and has twenty years experience in teaching these skills around the UK and Europe, as well as leading one-to-one tuition from her studio. She is a member of the Mokuhanga Sisters, a collective of nine international artists working with water-based woodblock printmaking who collaborate and exhibit together.

All materials provided

Suitable for those aged 16+ (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Refreshments provided by Sketch Cafe.

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An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro – Sun 19 Apr 2026

Gallery Babies – Thu 23 Apr 2026

Gallery Babies – Thu 30 Apr 2026

An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Printing – Sun 17 May 2026

Home and Gardens Fair – Sat 20 Jun 2026

Ikebana Floral Design – Sun 21 Jun 2026

Futuresound’s Live in York Museum Gardens: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Thu 9 Jul 2026

Futuresound’s Live in York Museum Gardens: Self Esteem – Fri 10 Jul 2026

An Introduction to Mokuhanga – Sat 11 Jul 2026

An Introduction to Japanese Bookbinding (Ori-hon & Toji-hon) – Sun 12 Jul 2026

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