Contemporary Collage
2026-01-14 13:30 - 15:30 (Australia/Sydney)
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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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.

YAM Young Creatives
2026-02-02 12:00 - 2026-12-17 12:00
YAM Young Creatives 2026

Program, Workshop

Program, Workshop

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

As a YAM Young Creative, you will meet like-minded creative young people, learn from artists, participate in workshops, contribute to youth programs and gain both personal and professional insights into creative industries and working in a gallery or museum. YAM Young Creatives meet twice a month (once virtually and once in-person at YAM) from February until December 2026. Upon completion of the program, participants will be issued with a personalised certificate for their contribution to the program.

There is no cost involved to join this program, but participants will need to complete an enrolment form. If you need assistance with the enrolment form or have special needs, please contact Toni Southwell (details below). Enrolments will be open until all places are filled and participants can join throughout the year if places become available.

Applications are open until all places are filled.

The next meeting will be in February 2026.

For more information and to apply visit the website or contact:

Toni SouthwellPrograms Facilitator Gallery and Museum

culturaldevelopment@chcc.nsw.gov.au

02 6648 4700

Apply for YAM Young Creatives

YAM Young Creatives is a 12-month program, proudly supported by Museums and Galleries NSW – 2022 Audience Development Fund.

Image credit: And The Tree Photography

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

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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.

Natalya Hughes: The Interior Tufting Workshop
2026-02-07 13:30 - 15:30
Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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 Artist Talk
2026-02-07 16:30 - 17:00
Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

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.

Program, Workshop

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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
Janet Besançon: Monokini Exhibition Opening

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

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

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

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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.

Long Pose Portrait Sessions
2026-02-15 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-03-22 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-19 10:30 - 13:30
Long Pose Portrait Sessions

Program, Workshop

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

Program, Workshop

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

Program, Workshop

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

Image: Collage by Deborah Kelly

Program, Workshop

Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
When

24 Sep 20254:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost$33LocationDigital Studio – Level 1 Yarrila Place Find your ticket

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

RELICS A New World Rises
2026-03-29 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.

Become a VIP today!

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, 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, a typewriter transforms into a newspaper headquarters, and a Volkswagen Beetle houses an energy revolution, each with hundreds of hidden stories waiting to be uncovered. 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

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

Get your VIP access!

Your VIP perks include:

Early access to exhibition tickets

Priority booking for meet & greet with LEGO® Masters Jackson and Alex

Go in the draw to win a family pass to RELICS

Be the first to hear about events, programs and workshops

Sign up to become a RELICS VIP!

First NameLast NameEmail Address *Consent *I agree to receive emails from Yarrila Arts & Museum about events, promotions, and announcements. Your personal information will only be used for this purpose and never shared in accordance with our Privacy Statement.Sign me up!Please do not fill in this field.

Family Pass Giveaway – Terms and ConditionsBy signing up you are agreeing to the Family Pass Giveaway Terms and Conditions.View Terms and Conditions (PDF)

Current Exhibitions

Yearbook ’25
Visual Art Students from the Coffs Coast

15 Nov 2025 – 8 Feb 2026
Exhibition
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.

Deborah Kelly
CREATION

22 Nov 2025 – 15 Mar 2026
Exhibition
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.

HOSSEI
ESSSENSSSE

22 Nov 2025 – 1 Feb 2026
Exhibition
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.
