Yarrila Arts and Museum

Long Pose Portrait Sessions
2026-04-19 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-22 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-02-15 10:30 - 13:30 (Australia/Sydney)
Long Pose Portrait Sessions

Event, Program, Workshop

Join artist Seabastion Toast for a relaxed, inspiring long pose drawing experience at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Observe. Develop, Perfect.

These untutored sessions, held one Sunday each month, offer three hours of uninterrupted creative time, perfect for artists of all levels to slow down, focus deeply, and connect with the clothed figure through longer, sustained poses.

Whether you’re just beginning or looking to push your creative boundaries, this is your chance to:

– Sharpen your observation skills

– Refine your technique in your chosen medium

– Develop more layered, detailed works overtime

Work at your own pace in a calm, welcoming environment. While there’s no formal instruction, Seabastion will draw and paint alongside participants, providing a unique glimpse into her personal process and approach to figurative art.

Each session is gently facilitated to ensure a supportive and respectful atmosphere, making it the ideal setting to experiment, grow, or simply enjoy a few uninterrupted hours of creative flow.

Sessions are ticketed individually and run monthly. Each one is a fresh opportunity to reconnect with your practice and other artists.

Duration: 3 hours (with regular short breaks – tea coffee and biscuits provided)

All mediums are welcome, including drawing, painting, and mixed media. Basic materials such as paper, charcoal, graphite, and a small selection of acrylic paints will be provided. If you’d like to work with other materials, feel free to bring your own – just ensure they’re low-irritant and easy to clean up.

Model: Clothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)

Facilitator: Seabastion Toast

Equipment: Easels, stool, chair, clips and boards provided

Deborah Kelly: CREATION Performance
2026-03-14 16:30 - 18:30
Deborah Kelly: CREATION Performance

Event, Program, Workshop

Step into the world of CREATION, where dance, costume, and song converge in a breathtaking spectacle.

Image: Collage by Deborah Kelly

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Step into the world of CREATION, where dance, costume, and song converge in a breathtaking spectacle. Be part of this unforgettable performance and witness the debut of an extraordinary new song that celebrates imagination and community. This is the ultimate culminative celebration of Deborah Kelly’s CREATION.Yarrila Arts and Museum

YAM bar open for purchases

Deborah Kelly I CREATION 22 November 2025 – 15 March 2026 CREATION is a multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary artwork developed by contemporary artist Deborah Kelly. Born from collaborations with communities across Australia, the immersive installation featuring video, textiles, costumes and ceramics invites audiences to explore a queer, climate-conscious belief system that celebrates possibility, and collective dreaming.

Please note seating will be limited please contact us below if seating is required: yamprograms@chcc.nsw.gov.au

Janet Besançon Monokini
2026-02-14 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
Janet Besançon Monokini

Event, Program, Workshop

Australian–French artist Janet Besançon explores themes of labour, resilience, and cultural identity through a diverse range of mediums and sustainable practices.

Janet Besançon, Monokini 4, 2025, pigments, clay (detail)

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Her work combines gouache, acrylic, oil, pure French pigments, and raw Gumbaynggirr country pigments with natural materials such as clay and charcoal, grounding her art in both European and Australian traditions.

Monokini is a striking series of 28 abstract paintings created using French pigments, Australian white clay, and everyday domestic utensils – sponges, mops, and kitchen tools. These objects, often linked to unpaid household labour, become instruments of protest and expression. The repetitive, physical process mirrors the gestures of cleaning and caregiving, while the final layers of white clay evoke healing, silencing, and erasure.

The number 28 is symbolic, referencing the menstrual cycle and the rhythms of the female body. Through this, Besançon honours women’s resilience and generational strength, challenging the invisibility of domestic work. In Coffs Harbour – a city shaped by diverse migrant communities – the exhibition invites cross-cultural dialogue on gender roles and shared experiences.

Ultimately, Monokini asks us to reconsider the tools we overlook, the cycles we silence, and the labour we too often take for granted.

Janet Besançon: Monokini Exhibition Opening
2026-02-13 17:30 - 19:00
Janet Besançon: Monokini Exhibition Opening

Event, Program, Workshop

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of Janet Besançon Monokini.

Janet Besançon, Monokini 4, 2025, pigments, clay (detail)

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Official Opening of the Exhibition

Event begins at 5:30pm on Friday 13 February and concludes at 7:00pm.

Light refreshments provided. YAM Bar open

Cheeky Collage & Cocktails with AlyKat (Adults 18+)
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:30
Cheeky Collage & Cocktails with AlyKat (Adults 18+)

Event, Program, Workshop

Join us for a special workshop event at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM).

Image: Self portrait collage by AlyKat

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Inspired by the bold, provocative collage practice of Deborah Kelly and her exhibition CREATION, this adults-only workshop invites you to make art that’s a little bit daring!

The event will start with a private tour of CREATION followed by drinks and snacks, then a hands-on artmaking workshop led by Alykat.

Using found imagery, text and mixed media, participants will create a contemporary collage that explores humour, contradiction and delight. Expect a relaxed, social atmosphere where rules are bent and ideas overlap. A glass of bubbles or a gin cocktail is included to help the scissors glide and the conversations flow.

No experience necessary just bring you curiosity, a sense of fun, and a willingness to get a bit cheeky with your artmaking.

All materials and refreshments are provided.

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Exhibition Opening
2026-02-07 16:30 - 19:00
Natalya Hughes: The Interior Exhibition Opening

Event, Program, Workshop

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of Natalya Hughes The Interior.

Natalya Hughes, Fabric design (detail) from The Interior, 2022, Courtesy the artist.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Official Opening of the Exhibitions

Event begins at 4:30pm on Saturday 7 February with artist talk in the gallery

YAM Bar open from 5:00pm with food and DJ.

MC, Carrie Kibbler, Service Leader, Yarrila Arts and Museum

Special Guest Speaker Natalya Hughes, and Museums and Galleries QLD

Artist talk in the galleries – book your spot here.4:30 – 5:00pm Natalya Hughes

Exhibition opening commences 5:00pm Official opening speeches5:30pm – 5:35pm Welcome from MC5:35pm – 5:40pm Natalya Hughes5:40pm – 5:50pm Representative from M&G QLD5:00pm – 7pm Drinks, food, music7pm Event concludes

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Artist Talk
2026-02-07 16:30 - 17:00
Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes, Fabric design (detail) from The Interior, 2022, Courtesy the artist.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join Natalya Hughes in her exhibition, The Interior, to learn about her perspectives on contemporary art practice, while gaining firsthand insights into the processes and concepts that inform her work.

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
2026-02-07 13:30 - 15:30
Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes, Fabric design (detail) from The Interior, 2022, Courtesy the artist.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join artist Natalya Hughes for a hands-on workshop exploring textile design through tufting. Participants will learn processes that Natalya has used to create custom textile works featured in The Interior and design their own motif inspired by personal experiences, guided by the artist.A highlight of The Interior is a series of seven hand-tufted rugs incorporating symbols drawn from Freud’s office and case studies. In this workshop, participants will create a motif reflecting their own narratives, using punch needling, an accessible and affordable technique similar to tufting gun methods.Workshop includes all materials and a tufting kit to take home.

Date: 7 February, 1:30 – 3:30Cost: $35Bookings essential

Natalya Hughes The Interior
2026-02-07 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
Natalya Hughes The Interior

Event, Program, Workshop

The Interior invites audiences into an exaggerated consultation room playfully furnished for psychoanalysis.

Natayla Hughes, fabric design (detail) from The Interior, 2022. Image courtesy of the artist.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

The immersive installation combines sculptural seating, richly patterned soft furnishings, and uncanny object d’art, nestled around a hand painted mural to generate a stimulating space to unpack our collective and unconscious biases. Audiences are invited to recline and be enveloped, soothed, and held by the furniture’s womanly forms while taking turns playing analyst and patient.The Interior is a travelling exhibition organised by the Institute of Modern Art and toured by Museums and Galleries Queensland.

YAM Up Late
2026-01-22 17:00 - 19:00
YAM Up Late

Event, Program, Workshop

Step into an unforgettable night at YAM Up Late!

Image credit: HOSSEI, ESSSENSSSE (performance view), 2024. Image courtesy of Verge Gallery. Photograph Jacquie Manning.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

UPDATE – we’re experiencing an error with our booking system. If you get a message that tickets for YAM Up Late are sold out please disregard and join us for the event – we won’t be checking tickets. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Experience an unforgettable night at YAM Up Late!

Celebrate summer evenings at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) with a vibrant mix of art, music, and flavour. Wander through exhibitions after hours, dive into creative art-making for adults, and enjoy live performances under the fig tree with drinks and wood-fired pizza. It’s the perfect way to wind down with friends and soak up the creative spirit of Coffs Harbour.

What’s on:

– A bold, dynamic performance of ESSSENSSSE by HOSSEI

– Collage-making inspired by CREATION with artist AlyKat

– Beats by DJ Jemka to set the vibe

– Delicious pizza from OneTwoFive

– Handcrafted gin cocktails from Emerald Island Distillery at the YAM Bar

It’s the ultimate mix of art, movement, music, and flavour — and best of all, it’s free to attend!

Step into the world of ESSSENSSSE and watch the vibrant celebration of movement, emotion and transformation. HOSSEI and his performers will bring the themes of the exhibition to life though an unforgettable mix of performance, sound and visual expression.

Expect bold colour, playful energy, raw emotion and a whole lot of fun!

HOSSEI I ESSSENSSSE22 November 2025 – 1 February 2026

ESSSENSSSE is a joyful work about healing and new beginnings by contemporary artist HOSSEI. Featuring otherworldly sea creatures in a playful and multi-sensory aquatic themed ecosystem, this immersive installation creates a dynamic space for all ages and abilities that invites audiences to celebrate their inner creative spirit and explore art through more than just sight.

ESSSENSSSE is a Verge Gallery exhibition curated by Tesha Malott, touring in partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, supported by the University of Sydney and proudly funded by the NSW Government. Verge Gallery is supported by the University of Sydney Union.

'ESSSENSSSE' Live Performance!
2026-01-22 12:00 - 12:30
‘ESSSENSSSE’ – Live performance

Event, Program, Workshop

HOSSEI, ESSSENSSSE, 2023. Performer Lauren Booker. Photography by Jacquie Manning.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

UPDATE – we’re experiencing an error with our booking system. If you get a message that tickets for the 12:00pm ESSSENSSSE Live Performance are sold out please disregard and join us for the event – we won’t be checking tickets. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Step into the world of ESSSENSSSE and watch the vibrant celebration of movement, emotion and transformation. HOSSEI and his performers will bring the themes of the exhibition to life though an unforgettable mix of performance, sound and visual expression.

Expect bold colour, playful energy, raw emotion and a whole lot of fun!

HOSSEI I ESSSENSSSE22 November 2025 – 1 February 2026

ESSSENSSSE is a joyful work about healing and new beginnings by contemporary artist HOSSEI. Featuring otherworldly sea creatures in a playful and multi-sensory aquatic themed ecosystem, this immersive installation creates a dynamic space for all ages and abilities that invites audiences to celebrate their inner creative spirit and explore art through more than just sight.

ESSSENSSSE is a Verge Gallery exhibition curated by Tesha Malott, touring in partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, supported by the University of Sydney and proudly funded by the NSW Government. Verge Gallery is supported by the University of Sydney Union.

Image credit: Deborah Kelly, from the CREATION collage suite, 2019-ongoing, image courtesy of the artist; HOSSEI, ESSSENSSSE, 2023. Performer Lauren Booker. Photography by Jacquie Manning.

Create And Perform Your Own Wearable Art!
2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:30
Create And Perform Your Own Wearable Art!

Event, Program, Workshop

Join our hands-on workshop inspired by ESSSENSSSE, YAM’s current exhibition by artist HOSSEI.

Photo courtesy of And the Trees Photography

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join our hands-on workshop inspired by ESSSENSSSE, YAM’s current exhibition by artist HOSSEI. Explore vibrant textures to craft your own wearable art to parade in the live performance that celebrates imagination, self-expression and connection.

All children must be accompanied by an adult and can drop in to The Workshop at YAM any time between 10 and 11:30am. This drop-in workshop will be followed by the ESSSENSSSE live performance.

STEAM - Marine Art Adventure
2026-01-16 13:30 - 15:30
STEAM – Marine Art Adventure

Event, Program, Workshop

In this hands-on creative STEAM session, young scientists will explore the fascinating world of marine biology.

Image: Coral structure courtesy of Adrienne Gooden

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

In this hands-on creative STEAM session, young scientists will explore the fascinating world of marine biology – from tiny plankton to swirling seaweed structures – and use microscopes to look closely at natural forms.

Inspired by YAM’s current exhibition ESSSENSSSE by the artist HOSSEI and their scientific discoveries, participants will then create vibrant artworks that capture the hidden beauty of the sea.

Contemporary Collage
2026-01-14 13:30 - 15:30
Contemporary Collage

Event, Program, Workshop

Join Coffs Coast artist Alykat for a fun and thought-provoking contemporary collage workshop inspired by Deborah Kelly’s exhibition CREATION.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join Coffs Coast artist Alykat for a fun and thought-provoking contemporary collage workshop inspired by Deborah Kelly’s exhibition CREATION.

In this interactive workshop, participants will delve into themes of identity and imagination through the art of collage. Working with striking imagery, vibrant patterns, and expressive text, they’ll layer elements to craft bold, contemporary artworks that tell a story.

All materials are supplied, just bring your curiosity and creative spark!

Under The Sea Painting - With Karlee Rawkins
2026-01-13 13:30 - 15:30
Under The Sea Painting – With Karlee Rawkins

Event, Program, Workshop

Dive beneath the waves and let your imagination swim wild in this colourful holiday workshop with artist Karlee Rawkins.

Image Credit: Karlee Rawkins, Rainbow trout, acrylic on canvas.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Dive beneath the waves and let your imagination swim wild in this colourful holiday workshop with artist Karlee Rawkins. Young artists will get inspired by YAM’s current exhibition ESSSENSSSE by the artist HOSSEI and explore a magical underwater world. They will then bring their discoveries to life through expressive painting.

Guided by Karlee’s playful approach to colour and pattern, participants will experiment with brushwork, colours, and bold shapes to create their very own marine animal masterpiece. All materials supplied.

Kids Art Trail: Explore, Imagine, Create
2025-12-19 00:00 - 2026-02-02 23:59
Kids Art Trail: Explore, Imagine, Create

Event, Program, Workshop

Step into a world of colour, curiosity and creativity with the Kids Art Trail!

Photo courtesy of And the Trees Photography

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Step into a world of colour, curiosity and creativity with the Kids Art Trail! This interactive journey invites children to explore artworks, each sparking imagination and inspiring personal expression. As they move through the trail, kids are encouraged to respond with their own creativity. It’s a playful and engaging way to connect with art, discover new ideas, and celebrate the joy of making.

Head to YAM to collect the Kids Art Trail, clip board and pencil.

Self-guided Holiday Art Making
2025-12-19 00:00 - 2026-02-02 23:59
Self-guided Holiday Art Making

Event, Program, Workshop

Get creative with art making activities inspired by YAM’s summer exhibitions, throughout the holidays at The Workshop.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Get creative with art making activities inspired by YAM’s summer exhibitions, throughout the holidays at The Workshop. Activities range from creating fun wearables, constructing contemporary collages and drawing.

All materials are provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult and can drop in to The Workshop at YAM any time within gallery opening hours.

Figure Drawing – Untutored Monthly Studio Sessions
2025-12-14 10:30 - 13:30, 2025-11-16 10:30 - 13:30
Figure Drawing – Untutored Monthly Studio Sessions

Event, Program, Workshop

Join artist Seabastion Toast for a relaxed and inspiring monthly life drawing session

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Practice. Explore. Refine.

Join artist Seabastion Toast for a relaxed and inspiring monthly life drawing session at Yarrila Arts and Museum. Held one Sunday each month, these three-hour sessions offer artists of all experience levels a chance to slow down, focus deeply, and connect with the figure through longer, sustained poses with a clothed model.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to push your creative boundaries, this is a unique opportunity to:

Sharpen your observation skillsRefine your technique in your chosen mediumExplore more layered, detailed works over timeWork at your own pace in a calm, welcoming space. While there’s no formal instruction, Seabastion will be drawing and painting alongside participants – offering a behind-the-scenes look at her personal process and approach to figurative art.

Each session is gently facilitated to ensure a supportive and respectful environment, making it the perfect setting to experiment, grow, or simply enjoy a few uninterrupted hours of creative flow.

Sessions are ticketed individually and run once a month. Each is a fresh opportunity to connect with your practice and the local arts community.

Duration: 3 hours (with regular short breaks)

Refreshments: Hot water and cups available. Participants are welcome to bring their own refreshments.

All mediums are welcome, including drawing, painting, and mixed media. Basic materials such as paper, charcoal, graphite, and a small selection of acrylic paints will be provided. If you’d like to work with other materials, feel free to bring your own – just ensure they’re low-irritant and easy to clean up.

Model: Clothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)Facilitator: Seabastion ToastEquipment: Easels, stool. Chair. clips and boards provided

CREATION
2025-11-22 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop

Event, Program, Workshop

Deborah Kelly, from the CREATION collage suite, 2019-ongoing, image courtesy of the artist.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

CREATION is a multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary artwork developed by contemporary artist Deborah Kelly. Born from collaboration with communities across Australia, it invites you to explore a queer, climate-conscious belief system that celebrates possibility, and collective dreaming.Through video, animation, photography, music, paper collage, costume, textiles, ceramics and dance, CREATION moves fluidly across contemporary art, politics, and ritual to consider and critique contemporary issues of our time and inspire people to gather, commune, and imagine new ways of being in a more-than-human world.CREATION is not just an exhibition; it is a living, breathing mythology.

CREATION is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia.

ESSSENSSSE
2025-11-22 00:00 - 2026-02-01 23:59
Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop

Event, Program, Workshop

HOSSEI, ESSSENSSSE, 2023. Performer Lauren Booker. Photography by Jacquie Manning.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

UPDATE for Thursday 22 January 2026 – we’re experiencing an error with our booking system. If you get a message that tickets for YAM Up Late or the 12:00pm ESSSENSSSE Live Performance are sold out please disregard and join us for the events – we won’t be checking tickets. We look forward to seeing you at the events!

ESSSENSSSE is a joyful work about healing and new beginnings by contemporary artist HOSSEI. Featuring otherworldly sea creatures in a playful and multi-sensory aquatic themed ecosystem, this immersive installation creates a dynamic space for all ages and abilities that invites audiences to celebrate their inner creative spirit and explore art through more than just sight.For blind and low vision audiences, the exhibition includes audio descriptions that vividly describe each costume’s character. Braille QR codes are available throughout the space to help one navigate and connect with the exhibition in their own way.ESSSENSSSE began when HOSSEI became fascinated by the sand dollar sea creatures— their shape, features, and how in mediaeval times it was truly believed that sand dollars were mermaid currency. When looking at the sand dollar, HOSSEI realised that if you were to remove the physical characteristics of a human body, you would be left with a mouth and an anus, just like the sand dollar. It is this idea that compelled HOSSEI to make the sand dollar an emblem of the show. An entry point and an exit, not just with food, but in the sense of discerning which energies come through and nourish the insides, and which are let out. ESSSENSSSE is about letting go and being one with the spirit and embracing its purity and vulnerability.HOSSEI is a multidisciplinary Australian artist with Persian, Turkish and Russian ancestry, exhibiting work across Western Sydney and beyond for more than twenty years. HOSSEI’s practice is influenced by his 7 years as Student Learning Service Officer (SLSO), supporting students with a range of abilities and backgrounds at Newtown Public School (NPS).ESSSENSSSE is a Verge Gallery exhibition curated by Tesha Malott, touring in partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, supported by the University of Sydney and proudly funded by the NSW Government. Verge Gallery is supported by the University of Sydney Union.

Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions for the blind and low-vision community have been developed for ESSSENSSSE by Sarah Empey and Anthia Balis, in collaboration with HOSSEI. These can be accessed via a QR code located at YAM reception and in the gallery archway. YAM encourages patrons to bring their own headphones.

ESSSENSSSE Audio Descriptions

Exhibition Opening CREATION and 'ESSSENSSSE'
2025-11-22 00:00 - 23:59
Exhibition Opening CREATION and ‘ESSSENSSSE’

Event, Program, Workshop

DJ Jemka spinning live beats from 5pm, light nibbles to enjoy, YAM Bar serving gin cocktails by Emerald Island Distillery. Free entry – not to be missed!

HOSSEI, ESSSENSSSE, 2023. Performer Lauren Booker. Photography by Jacquie Manning.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of CREATION and ‘ESSSENSSSE ‘

Saturday 22 November 5:00 – 7:00pm

Official proceedings from 5:30pmLive Music from DJ JemkaLight nibbles providedYAM Bar open with gin cocktails by Emerald Island DistilleryFree entry!

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Deborah Kelly I CREATION22 November 2025 – 15 March 2026CREATION is a multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary artwork developed by contemporary artist Deborah Kelly. Born from collaborations with communities across Australia, the immersive installation featuring video, textiles, costumes and ceramics invites audiences to explore a queer, climate-conscious belief system that celebrates possibility, and collective dreaming.

CREATION is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia.

HOSSEI I ESSSENSSSE22 November 2025 – 1 February 2026

ESSSENSSSE is a joyful work about healing and new beginnings by contemporary artist HOSSEI. Featuring otherworldly sea creatures in a playful and multi-sensory aquatic themed ecosystem, this immersive installation creates a dynamic space for all ages and abilities that invites audiences to celebrate their inner creative spirit and explore art through more than just sight.

ESSSENSSSE is a Verge Gallery exhibition curated by Tesha Malott, touring in partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, supported by the University of Sydney and proudly funded by the NSW Government. Verge Gallery is supported by the University of Sydney Union.

Image credit: Deborah Kelly, from the CREATION collage suite, 2019-ongoing, image courtesy of the artist; HOSSEI, ESSSENSSSE, 2023. Performer Lauren Booker. Photography by Jacquie Manning.

Yearbook '25
2025-11-15 00:00 - 2026-02-08 23:59
Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop

Event, Program, Workshop

Are you ready yet? Josie Boxell, Pencil on paper 2025

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Yearbook ’25: Visual Art Students from the Coffs Coast showcases a curated selection of outstanding HSC Visual Arts Bodies of Work from talented students across the region. The exhibition celebrates a diverse range of expressive forms and offers unique insights into the ideas and perspectives of young people on the Coffs Coast.

Participating Schools: Bishop Druitt College | Bowraville Central School | Coffs Harbour Christian Community School | Coffs Harbour High School | Coffs Harbour Senior College | St John Paul College | Macksville High School | Nambucca High School | Orara High School | Toormina High School | Woolgoolga High School

Still Life, Still Moving - Drawing Workshop with Peggy Zephyr
2025-11-01 10:30 - 12:30
Still Life, Still Moving – Drawing Workshop with Peggy Zephyr

Event, Program, Workshop

Join STILL: National Still Life Award 2025 finalist, Peggy Zephyr and turn the ordinary into extraordinary with this playful drawing workshop where chance takes the lead. Participants will be presented with everyday objects, and a roll of the dice decides how it will be transformed. With each throw, new instructions shift the way you draw or even how the object is placed, hidden, or merged with another.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join STILL: National Still Life Award 2025 finalist, Peggy Zephyr and turn the ordinary into extraordinary with this playful drawing workshop where chance takes the lead. Participants will be presented with everyday objects, and a roll of the dice decides how it will be transformed. With each throw, new instructions shift the way you draw or even how the object is placed, hidden, or merged with another.

As the session unfolds, familiar items become strange, humorous, or poetic. Sketches overlap, change direction, and accumulate into layered pages that record different perspectives in real time. The result is a lively, low-stakes experiment that reimagines the still life tradition showing how the everyday is never really still, but always in motion.

All materials are provided.

Recommended for adult (16+)

No previous drawing experience required.

Cost: Free

Location: The Workshop, Yarrila Arts and Museum

Booking essential as numbers are very limited.

In Conversation: Carbon Footprints
2025-10-31 12:30 - 13:30
In Conversation: Carbon Footprints – Energy, Language and Connection

Event, Program, Workshop

Join us for a thought provoking conversation with Yarrila Arts and Museum exhibiting artist Alexandra Byrne, senior Gumbaynggirr man and educator Uncle Micklo Jarrett, and Gumbaynggirr PhD candidate Dylan Berger as they explore the many meanings of a carbon footprint, from the energy we consume and return to the earth, to the cultural and linguistic footprints we leave on Country.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join us for a thought provoking conversation with Yarrila Arts and Museum exhibiting artist Alexandra Byrne, senior Gumbaynggirr man and educator Uncle Micklo Jarrett, and Gumbaynggirr PhD candidate Dylan Berger as they explore the many meanings of a carbon footprint, from the energy we consume and return to the earth, to the cultural and linguistic footprints we leave on Country.

Together they will discuss how art, language and land are connected through cycles of care, knowledge and energy. This rich dialogue invites us to reflect on how we live within our environment and how we can walk more gently into the future.

The Workshop, Yarrila Arts and Museum – ground floor Yarrila Place.

Free event but bookings recommended.

Panel Speakers:

Alexandra Byrne is an artist living in rural Nambucca Valley. Her exhibition Natural Capital: Carbon Webs, Energy and Me (Us) explores personal accountability in the context of climate change, rural life and land management. Alexandra considers these issues with respect to both the energy we consume and the energy we put back into these living systems.

Micklo Jarrett is a senior Gumbaynggirr man and educator. Micklo brings a wealth of knowledge about how we can develop our connections to place through language and caring for Country in order to leave it in a better condition.

Dylan Berger is a Gumbaynggirr, Dhanggati, Yuin, and Birrbay man and PhD Candidate. Dylan’s area of research focuses on the role of language for Country.

The Poetics of Clay: An Artist Talk with Phil Greed
2025-10-30 10:30 - 11:30
The Poetics of Clay: An Artist Talk with Phil Greed

Event, Program, Workshop

Join award-winning artist Phil Greed for an inspiring talk at Yarrila Arts and Museum, celebrating his Coffs Coast Artist Award win in STILL 2025.

Phil Greed, calx_what goes around (2025) Image courtesy of the artist

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join award winning artist Phil Greed for an inspiring artist talk at Yarrila Arts and Museum. Phil Greed was the winner of the $5000 Coffs Coast Artist Award in STILL: National Still Life Award 2025 presented by Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Phil’s winning work calx_what goes around (2025), explores memory, loss and the quiet transformation of materials. Drawing on the poetic intimacy of still life, he uses ceramics to reflect on aging, personal history, and the fragile beauty of time.

Don’t miss this chance to hear Phil share his stories, processes and inspirations behind his practice, and to celebrate the creativity and talent flourishing on the Coffs Coast.

Complimentary morning tea will be provided.

Take a Moment in October
2025-10-29 12:00 - 14:00
Take a Moment in October

Event, Program, Workshop

Take a Moment in October offers a creative pause in the middle of your busy week. This well-being program invites you to slow down, recharge, and reconnect – whether through art,nature, or quiet reflection.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

A special addition for Mental Health Month, this program encourages participants to slow down and reconnect with nature on a guided walk in the lush surrounds of the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. This session invites participants to engage senses, notice details and cultivate a deep appreciation for the living world. Improve your wellbeing in the great outdoors!

There are 3 activities for the 29 October program — people can do one or all:

Creative session at the YAM Workshop: Drop in any time between 12 and 1pm (materials provided)

Tour of STILL: National Still life award 2025: 12–12:30pm (meet at the YAM Desk)

Lunch Time Forest Bathing : 1pm to 2pm (North Coast Regional Botanic Garden; bookings recommended but not essential)

Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Suitable for all lunch time audiences.

Bookings are recommended but not essential.

Artist Talk with Gerry Wedd
2025-10-25 10:30 - 11:30
Artist Talk with Gerry Wedd – STILL finalist

Event, Program, Workshop

Join us for an inspiring conversation with celebrated ceramic artist Gerry Wedd, finalist in STILL: National Still Life Award 2025 and represented in the Yarrila Arts and Museum collection.

Event, Program, Workshop

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
When

7 Feb 20261:30 pm – 3:30 pm

AdmissionFree entry Plan your visitBook for Workshop

Join us for an inspiring conversation with celebrated ceramic artist Gerry Wedd, finalist in STILL: National Still Life Award 2025 and represented in the Yarrila Arts and Museum collection. Known for his highly detailed ceramics, Wedd combines the traditions of craft with contemporary themes, weaving together imagery drawn from pop culture, literature, politics and the everyday.

In this talk, Gerry will reflect on his creative journey, discuss the ideas behind his practice, and share insights into the work he has created for STILL. With a career spanning four decades, his work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is represented in major public collections across Australia.
