Yaamanga (around here)
2023-09-16 00:00 - 2030-12-31 23:59 (Australia/Sydney)
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Yaamanga (around here) installation view

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Yaamanga (around here) is an ongoing exhibition exploring the history and identity of the Coffs Coast through themes of place, community and belonging, with Gumbaynggirr culture at its heart. This interactive exhibition features hundreds of objects, photographs, artworks and films from the Yarrila Arts and Museum collection. A key highlight of Yaamanga (around here) is the short film, Daalga Nginundi Wajaarr (Sing Your Country), which is informed by Yuludarla’s (Gumbaynggirr Creator) journey from north to south exploring miirlarl (sacred places), culture and history through song and cinema. The piece is a celebration of language and its revival and is an invitation for all people to learn the story of this place. It explores untold histories of Country; its triumphs and its sorrow and the dialogue Gumbaynggirr people have every day with her.Daalga Nginundi Wajaarr (Sing Your Country) was created by Alison Page and Nik Lachajczak of ZAKPAGE. The score is a reworking of a medley of traditional songs by Gumbaynggirr artist, Birrugan Dunn-Velasco, with the inclusion of post-modern instrumentation and sounds from Country.This artwork is dedicated to the Gumbaynggirr people; it is their ancestral lands upon which we live and work; they who are so generous with their cultural knowledge and lore in the making of this film.

A still image captured from Daalga Nginundi Wajaarr Sing Your Country

Find out more about Daalga Nginundi Wajarr Sing your Country

STILL: National Still Life Award 2025
2025-09-06 00:00 - 2025-11-09 23:59
STILL: National Still Life Award in 2025

Program, Workshop

STILL: National Still Life Award is Yarrila Arts and Museum’s national biennial acquisitive art award.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

STILL: National Still Life Award is Yarrila Arts and Museum’s biennial acquisitive art award, established in 2017 to support and showcase contemporary still life practice. The award aims to highlight the diversity, innovation and ongoing relevance of this genre across a wide range of media.

Open to artists at all stages of their careers, STILL welcomes work in painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video, installation and more. In 2025, we are pleased to present the fifth iteration of the exhibition, featuring 70 finalists selected from across Australia.

The judges for STILL 2025 were: Dr Victoria Wareham, Australian Cinémathèque, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art; Cath Fogarty, Artist and Ceramics Teacher, TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour, and Carrie Kibbler, Service Leader, Gallery and MuseumAWARD WINNERS

STILL: National Still Life Award 2025: $30,000 (acquisitive)

Justin Enrico Legaspi, Bahay (house), 2025

Coffs Coast Artist Award: $5,000

Phil Greed, calx_what goes around, 2025Judges Commendations

Svetlana Bailey, Still lives, 2024

Janine Brody, Redundancy, 2025

Brittany Jones, The Feast: Morning’s Harvest & Formal Attire, 2025

Michael Langley, Be Careful What You Do With Love, 2025

Vote Here for your favourite work in the People’s Choice Award. The winning artist receives $1,000.STILL 2025 FINALISTSS.A.Adair | Summer Aldis | Miguel Aquilizan | Svetlana Bailey | Katie Barron | Jason Barwick | Monika Behrens | Lee Bethel | Brenda Blackman | Janine Brody | Jeremy Brook | Terri Butterworth | Fran Callen | Julie Cane | Regi Cherini | Jason Clark | Kirsten Coelho | Olivia Cotovich | Lucinda Crimson | Simone Darcy | Penelope Davis | Marian Drew | Christine Druitt-Preston | Blair Garland | Guy Gilmour | Phil Greed | Melissa Grisancich | Raelean Hall | Nazila Jahangir | Freya Jobbins | Alun Rhys Jones | Brittany Jones | Nicole Kelly | Suzanne Knight | Isaac Kozlovskis | Michael Langley | Justin Legaspi | Susan Lemke | Rosalind Lemoh | Donna Marcus | Kiata Mason | Sarah McGrath | Tully Moore | Kendal Murray | Adam Oste | Denise Pepper | Tamasin Pepper | Jasmine Poole & Chris Sewell | Sherry Quiambao | Matthew Quick | Victoria Reichelt | Bruce Reynolds | Elvis Richardson | Elizabeth Ryan | Cass Samms | Joshua Shrubb | Anne Smerdon | Ken Smith | Filthy the Bear | Emma Thorp | John Van Der Kolk | Emma Varga | LeAnne Vincent | Liz Walker | Gerry Wedd | Cleo Wilkinson | Cat Wilson |Paul Yore | Christopher Zanko | Peggy Zephyr

STILL 2025 SponsorsMoving Art, Bryant McKinnon Lawyers, Peace Wines

Alexandra Byrne | Natural Capital: Carbon Webs, Energy and Me (us)
2025-09-18 00:00 - 2025-11-09 23:59
Alexandra Byrne | Natural Capital: Carbon Webs, Energy and Me (us)

Program, Workshop

Alexandra Byrne | Natural Capital: Carbon Webs, Energy and Me (us) explores the connections between human behaviour, industrial systems, and nature through the invisible networks that shape our world. Drawing on personal experience, her work traces carbon’s presence in daily life, reframing familiar energy and industry symbols into reflections on consequence and connection.

Alexandra Byrne, Carbon Webs: Pin Mould – Mucorales No1568, 2025 (detail), photograph on Hahnemuhle paper.Image courtesy of the artist.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Alexandra Byrne | Natural Capital: Carbon Webs, Energy and Me (us) explores the connections between human behaviour, industrial systems, and nature through the invisible networks that shape our world. Drawing on personal experience, her work traces carbon’s presence in daily life, reframing familiar energy and industry symbols into reflections on consequence and connection.

YAM Teeny Tours
2025-10-17 00:00 - 2025-12-12 23:59
YAM Teeny Tours

Program, Workshop

Immerse your child in artful conversations, cultural exploration and creative play in Teeny Tours at Yarrila Arts and Museum

Photo courtesy of And the Trees Photography

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Immerse your child in artful conversations, cultural exploration and creative play in Teeny Tours at Yarrila Arts and Museum. These sessions are fun, adventurous and engaging for both children and their carer’s. They include an exhibition tour, artmaking, story time and creative play, with a different exhibition explored each week. Teeny Tours are small group sessions and are accessible for all young children.

Held every Friday in 2025, 10am – 11am (during school term)

Weekly bookings are required. Numbers are limited.

Suggested for ages 3–6 years and their carers.

Strollers, snacks and drinks are welcome.

Meet in The Workshop, Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM), Ground floor Yarrila Place.

Enquires: culturaldevelopment@chcc.nsw.gov.au

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

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.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

Yearbook '25
2025-11-15 00:00 - 2026-02-08 23:59
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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

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

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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

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

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.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

ESSSENSSSE
2025-11-22 00:00 - 2026-02-01 23:59
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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

CREATION
2025-11-22 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

The Holy Orders are companion beings who represent CREATION’s virtues and powers;

The Serpent: The Supreme Originator, teaches us to move with certainty, and to dream.

The Moon: Rhythm, loyalty and companionship.

The Rat: teaches us resilience, resourcefulness, and to find our kin among the scorned.

Fungus: represents interdependence and reciprocity.

Infinity: symbolises the eternal exchange of energy.

Bacteria: from which we learn that size does not equate to power.

Vulture: teaches us not to fear the ruins of the past.

Spider: The vision weaver; teaches us that storytelling is survival.SPECIAL EVENT: A special CREATION performance involving dance, costumes, song and spectacle will be held on Saturday 14 March from 5:30pm. Join YAM’s mailing list to stay up to date with event details.

The performance will feature the CREATION CHORALE singing joyous original music.

CREATION is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia.

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

Program, Workshop

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

Photo courtesy of And the Trees Photography

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

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

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.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

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

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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!

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

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

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

Program, Workshop

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

Photo courtesy of And the Trees Photography

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

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

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

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

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.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

Natalya Hughes The Interior
2026-02-07 00:00 - 2026-03-15 23:59
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

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.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

Janet Besançon Monokini
2026-02-12 10:00 - 2026-03-15 10:00
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

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)

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

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

Program, Workshop

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

Image: Self portrait collage by AlyKat

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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.

Janet Besançon: Monokini Exhibition Opening
2026-02-13 17:30 - 19:00
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

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)

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

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

International Women's Day
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Celebrate International Women’s Day with a thought‑provoking panel discussion featuring Australian-French artist Janet Besançon and First Nations author Judi Morison.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Through visual art and storytelling, Janet Besançon and Judi Morison share perspectives that illuminate resilience and creativity. The panel discussion will be chaired by Annie Talve, chair of ArtsNational Coffs Coast.

Janet Besançon’s is an Australian-French artist who explores themes of labour, resilience, and cultural identity in her practice. Her solo exhibition Monokini, currently on display at Yarrila Arts and Museum, is a powerful series of 28 abstract paintings created with French pigments, Australian white clay, and everyday domestic tools, transforming objects of unpaid labour into instruments of protest and expression. Each piece reflects on the invisible, undervalued work expected of women, while the symbolic cycle of 28 paintings honours resilience and generational strength.

Judi Morison is a storyteller whose writing engages with truth-telling through fiction. Her debut novel, Secrets, which won the 2022 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship, was published by Bundyi in 2025 and her short fiction and poetry have been published in various literary anthologies. Judi’s historical novel manuscript, ‘Crossing the Creek’, was shortlisted for The Australian Fiction Prize 2025 and will be published by Bundyi in January 2027. After 23 years on Wadi Wadi Country, where the South Coast Writers Centre was important in her writing journey, Judi now lives gratefully on Gumbaynggirr Country.

Seniors Festival
2026-03-09 10:30 - 11:00
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Join this gallery tour by YAM’s Senior Curator, developed especially for Seniors Festival.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Tour includes exhibition explorations to engage the senses. Discover the hidden stories, materials and inspirations behind selected works in the galleries.For any accessibility requirements please email: yamprograms@chcc.nsw.gov.au

Following this tour is a paid art workshop: Colour at Play with Jan Allsopp (bookings essential).

Colour at play with Jan Allsopp
2026-03-09 11:00 - 12:30
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Celebrate the bold playful use of colour in the work of Natalya Hughes’ exhibition The Interior in this joyful hands-on painting and collage workshop designed especially for Seniors Festival.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Inspired by the spirited energy of contemporary art and colour play, there are no rules. No prior painting experience is needed but experienced artists also welcome.

Guided by practising artist, Jan Allsop, participants will experiment with paint simple marks and intuitive choices. The emphasis will be on play rather than perfection with plenty of room to chat and enjoy the process.

Cost: $10 seniors (Especially for Seniors Festival)| $20 general admission

All materials are provided.

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
2026-03-14 17:30 - 20:00
Deborah KellyCREATION Performance

Program, Workshop

Step into a living contemporary art ceremony at YAM.

Photo by Lucy Parakhina

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

You are invited to an unforgettable CREATION performance by acclaimed artist Deborah Kelly and her collaborators from near and far. Experience this powerful contemporary art performance that merges ceremony, collective ritual and visionary story telling. Known for her striking visual worlds and transformative works, Deborah Kelly invites audiences into an immersive experience where art becomes action and community becomes creator. This one-of-a-kind event showcases CREATION Chorale – a cohort of Coffs Coast choristers and musicians led by Ruth Kennedy along with guest soloist Natasha Rusterholz (Newcastle) and composer Lex Lindsay (Sydney). Through costumes, song and spectacle, this event celebrates creativity, connection and unity. From 5:30pm, view Deborah Kelly’s CREATION and accompanying exhibitions in the galleries, grab a drink at the YAM Bar, and get hands-on with collage making inspired by CREATION before experiencing the CREATION Chorale performance in Yarrila Place’s soaring central atrium.

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

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.

CREATION is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia.

Seabastion Toast Seeing other people
2026-03-19 10:00 - 2026-04-19 14:00
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Through portraiture, Seabastion Toast examines observation as both discipline and encounter in Seeing other people. Each work negotiates the space between what is seen and what is felt, between the speed of recognition and the slower accumulation of paint.

Seabastion Toast, Aimee, 2025, oil on canvas (detail)

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

When invited to participate in Australia’s first televised Portrait Artist of the Year, Seabastion Toast had never painted alla prima (wet on wet technique) nor completed a work in under four hours. Faced with the constraint of speed and public scrutiny, she did what she always does when confronted with a challenge: she trained.

For eleven weeks, five days a week, for four hours a day, she restructured her process around immediacy and sustained observation. The resulting works, many of which form this exhibition, document that period of concentrated looking. Some remain raw four-hour studies, while others have been further developed. Together they trace a shift in method while extending an ongoing investigation into perception.Anchored in portraiture but grounded in broader concerns of composition and attention, these paintings examine observation as both discipline and encounter. Each work negotiates the space between what is seen and what is felt, between the speed of recognition and the slower accumulation of paint.Working from both familiar and unfamiliar faces, the paintings reflect on presence and on what remains when a fleeting encounter is translated into pigment. Some retain the urgency of their making; others carry the density of extended looking. Throughout, light, value and structure are used to test how perception shifts across a surface.These works invite the viewer not simply to look, but to see through the changing conditions of light, time and touch.Seabastion Toast is a contemporary Australian painter based on the mid-North Coast of NSW. Working primarily with figurative subjects, interiors and domestic spaces, she constructs structurally rigorous compositions that balance clarity, pattern and atmosphere. Her paintings investigate the act of looking and the texture of everyday life, using colour and value to carry emotional and narrative weight.Toast has been a regular finalist in major national prizes including the Portia Geach Memorial Award, Mosman Art Prize, Glover Prize and Sunshine Coast Art Prizes. In 2024 she won the $40,000 Percival Portrait Prize and has twice received the Darcy Doyle Landscape Prize. In 2025 she appeared on ABC’s Portrait Artist of the Year Australia.

Seabastion Toast: Seeing other people Exhibition Opening
2026-03-19 17:30 - 19:30
EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the launch of Seabastion Toast’s exhibition, Seeing other people. Artist talk from 5:30pm, exhibition opening 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Seabastion Toast, Aimee, 2025, oil on canvas (detail)

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Join us for the launch of Seabastion Toast’s exhibition, Seeing other people.

Event begins at 5:30pm on Thursday 19 March

Artist talk in the gallery from 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm

YAM Bar open from 6:00 pm with light refreshments provided.

Event concludes 7:30 pm

RELICS A New World Rises
2026-03-28 10:00 - 2026-07-19 16:00
Vintage objects meet miniature LEGO® brick worlds in RELICS: A New World Rises, an extraordinary exhibition created by LEGO® Masters winners.

Tickets on sale!

The year is 2130. Humans have long abandoned planet Earth after mass-consumption led to an exhaustion of all its natural resources. The world is slowly recovering and showing signs of new life. A series of discarded objects are blossoming with LEGO® civilisations; each one inspired by the relic they now call home. RELICS: A New World Rises explores an imagined future, one that might not be as far removed from reality as we think.

RELICS: A New World Rises is an immersive experience that’s equal parts nostalgic and thought-provoking, where vintage objects and LEGO® brick creations tell tales of a possible future. Created by LEGO® Masters winners, Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler, RELICS inspires curiosity for all ages and invites you to explore artistic intricacy and story-telling in an extraordinary way. Discover intricate LEGO® brick civilisations thriving inside treasured objects from our past. Within each relic, the LEGO® civilisation has adapted to the distinctive character of the artefact it inhabits. A vintage refrigerator becomes a cryogenic health resort and a Volkswagen Beetle houses an energy revolution, each with hundreds of hidden stories waiting to be uncovered.

Program, Workshop

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session
When

25 Jul – 26 Jul 202610:30 am – 1:30 pm

Duration 6 hours over 2 days (with regular short breaks)LocationThe Workshop, Yarrila Arts and MuseumModelClothed and seated in the same position throughout (with lighting)FacilitatorSeabastion ToastEquipmentEasels, chair, clips and boards provided Reserve your spotPlan your visit

Ticket Prices

Adult$21.00Child (4 – 16 years)$13.00Student/Concession$15.00Family (2 Adults + 2 Children)$55.00Infants (3 years and under)FREE

Buy your tickets

Exhibition Highlights:

12 immersive displays combining vintage objects with intricate worlds built from LEGO® bricks

Created by LEGO® Masters winners Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler

Layered storytelling that rewards curious minds of all ages with details and discoveries

Interactive build area where you can create and display your own model using LEGO® bricks

Custom scavenger hunt with different versions for children and adults

Audio guide: Download the free accessible audio description guide to your device before arriving and remember to bring your own headphones for the best listening experience

This is not your typical exhibition. RELICS: A New World Rises is an immersive art experience that’s equal parts nostalgic and thought-provoking – what Co-Creator Jackson Harvey describes as “the love child between an antique shop, The LEGO® Movie, and Blade Runner.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary exhibition where forgotten objects and LEGO® brick creations tell tales of a possible future.

LEGO® is a trademark of The LEGO Group which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse this exhibition.

Plan Your Visit To Coffs Harbour

RELICS and The Observatory Apartments Couples Package

Enjoy two adult tickets to RELICS at YAM, two nights accommodation in Ocean View Studio Apartment for two at The Observatory Apartments and a $70 voucher for dinner or breakfast at Stef & Co.

RELICS and BIG 4 Park Beach Holiday Park Family Package

Enjoy a family ticket ( 2 Adults & 2 Children) to RELICS at YAM and two nights accommodation in a Beach Villa at Big 4 Holiday Perk at Park Beach.

Discover Where to Stay, Eat and Explore on the Coffs Coast

Coming for RELICS? Stay to explore the Coffs Coast. Discover places to visit, eat and unwind around your museum experience. Plan your trip and enjoy a region where culture, nature and creativity meet.

Play the RELICS game on the Coffs Coast Explorer App

The minifigs have escaped! Track them down across the Coffs Coast using the Explorer App, collect them all, and uncover hidden locations along the way. Complete the game and redeem your reward when you visit RELICS at YAM.

Current Exhibitions

RELICS
A New World Rises

28 Mar – 19 Jul 2026 at 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibition
The year is 2130. Humans have long abandoned planet Earth after mass-consumption led to an exhaustion of all its natural resources. The world is slowly recovering and showing signs of new life. A series…

Drew Hopper: West of Somewhere East

28 May – 28 Jun 2026 at 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibition

RELICS Education Groups
2026-03-28 10:00 - 2026-07-19 14:00
Vintage objects meet miniature LEGO® brick worlds in RELICS: A New World Rises, an extraordinary exhibition created by LEGO® Masters winners.

EXTRA Long Pose Portrait Session

Program, Workshop

Step into a world where imagination builds the impossible.

RELICS: A New World Rises is the perfect learning adventure for school groups, student excursions, and community education programs.

Created by LEGO® Masters winners Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler, RELICS transforms everyday objects into extraordinary miniature worlds made entirely from LEGO®. Each scene is packed with stories, characters, humour, and hidden details that ignite curiosity and reward close looking.

Image Credit: Auckland Museum

Why RELICS is an excellent excursion for schools:

RELICS brings together creativity, storytelling, engineering, and problem‑solving in a playful, hands‑on format. It’s an ideal learning experience for:Visual Arts – Explore sculpture, installation, design principles, composition, colour, and creative reuse.STEAM & Engineering – Spark conversations about structure, balance, scale, pattern, and imaginative problem‑solving.English & Creative Writing – Each RELIC invites students to interpret narrative clues, make inferences, and create their own stories.HSIE / HASS – Themes like environment, urban life, sustainability, and community are explored through tiny worlds. These relatable scenes spark conversations about contemporary real‑world issues and help students connect the exhibition themes to the world around them.Critical & Creative Thinking – Students engage in observation, analysis, wonder, question‑asking, and inventing new possibilities.Teamwork & Collaboration – LEGO® naturally supports group thinking, shared decision‑making, and playful learning.Whether your students love art, design, building, storytelling, or simply the joy of creating, RELICS meets them where they are — and encourages them to imagine beyond the boundaries of the everyday.

School and group visits can include:

A guided exhibition introduction tailored to age level

Time for close looking, sketching, photography and video, and discussion

Scavenger hunts for every student

Optional hands‑on creative activities or LEGO® challenges (subject to availability)

Accessible, inclusive gallery spaces designed for all learners

Suitable for:

Primary (K–6)

Secondary (7–12)

Early childhood groups

Homeschool groups

Vacation care and out‑of‑school programs

Community education groups

Special needs education groups

Alternative education programs

Youth support services

Youth clubs or activity groups

Bookings:

Bookings are essential for all schools and groups.Bookings for group of 10 or more will receive a 15% discountTo make a booking or discuss how we can tailor your visit, please contact:education@chcc.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 6648 4700

LEGO® is a trademark of The LEGO Group which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse this exhibition.
