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 (Australia/Sydney)
Long Pose Portrait Sessions

Event, Program

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

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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

International Women's Day
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

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

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

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

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

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.

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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

Event, Program

Step into a living contemporary art ceremony at YAM.

Photo by Lucy Parakhina

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

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)

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

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)

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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

Take a Moment in March
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:30
Take a Moment in March

Event, Program

Take a Moment in March offers a creative pause in the middle of your busy week.

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

This well-being program invites you to slow down, recharge, and reconnect.

Enjoy a mix of guided tours and hands‑on creative sessions designed to inspire creativity and mindfulness.

Take a break. Explore your creativity. Recharge your mind.

This month participants can join a guided tour and take part in a guided artmaking session.At midday join YAM’s Senior Curator for a guided exhibition tour of YAM.Any time from 12:00 – 1:30pm take part in the guided artmaking session as a restorative experience exploring your creativity. Workshop facilitators will be available to guide participants. There will be drawing and mixed media art supplies available for a creative art making session.Participants can join at any time throughout the session and stay for little or as long as they like.Whether you’re looking for a moment of mindful creativity, a cultural escape, or a relaxed way to catch up with friends, Take a Moment in March offers a welcoming space to pause and resetBookings are recommended but not essential. Free tea and coffee are available, and participants can bring their lunch.

RELICS: A New World Rises Opening Day
2026-03-28 09:30 - 14:00
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

Join us on Saturday 28 March for the opening day of RELICS: A New World Rises, a spectacular new exhibition at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Image courtesy Auckland Museum

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Be among the very first to experience this immersive world of imagination, storytelling and LEGO® creativity.

Meet LEGO® Masters winners and RELICS creators Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler, dive into scavenger hunts, get hands‑on with LEGO® building and challenges, and hear the stories behind the exhibition straight from the creators themselves. From playful making to behind‑the‑scenes insights, it’s a full day of discovery for curious kids, families and grown‑ups alike.

Opening day activities are free to attend. RELICS exhibition tickets sold separately.What’s On

9:30am – 10am Welcome and official opening with RELICS creators Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler and Mayor Nikki Williams. 10am – 2pm RELICS: A New World Rises exhibition sessions Available at 10am and 12 noon Includes free scavenger hunts for children and adults Exhibition tickets can be booked online or purchased at the YAM front desk. 10am – 2pm RELICS Play Space The Workshop Drop in and build your own creation inspired by RELICS Free – no bookings required. 10:30am – 1:30pmLEGO® ChallengesGround Floor, Children’s LibraryAre you a LEGO® Master? Take part in a LEGO® challenge!Free. Sessions at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30. 11:30am – 12:30pm Meet the creators: Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler Story Space, Ground Floor, Children’s Library Hear what inspired RELICS and how this exhibition came to life Free – bookings essential. Peach and Wolf Café will be open for refreshments on the day. YAM Shop Take a piece of RELICS home with you! Visit the YAM Shop for RELICS books, programs and caps, plus mini-figures, STEAM kits and upcycled jewellery. Perfect for LEGO® fans, collectors, and curious minds.

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.

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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

LAUNCHING 28 MARCH -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

Seabastion Toast
Seeing other people

19 March – 19 April
Exhibition
Through portraiture, Seabastion Toast examines observation as both discipline and encounter in Seeing other people.

RELICS Adult 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.

Group Bookings for Adults

Event, Program

Looking for a unique and memorable outing for your group?

RELICS: A New World Rises is the perfect experience for social groups, community organisations, workplaces, hobby clubs, seniors’ groups, and anyone who enjoys creativity, storytelling, and a bit of nostalgic fun.

Created by LEGO® Masters Australia winners Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler, RELICS transforms ordinary vintage objects into extraordinary miniature worlds built entirely from LEGO®. Each scene is full of intricate detail, clever storytelling, humour, and surprises – offering something new with every glance.

Why adult groups love RELICS:

Whether your group is after an inspiring cultural outing or simply something fresh and delightful to experience together, RELICS offers:Nostalgia & Wonder – Adults connect instantly with the joy of LEGO®, rediscovering childhood creativity while enjoying the sophistication of the artworks.Art, Design & Craftsmanship – The skill, imagination, and meticulous craftsmanship behind each miniature world appeals to art lovers, makers, designers, and anyone who enjoys seeing the extraordinary in the everyday.Storytelling & Conversation – Every RELIC is a tiny universe filled with characters, clues, and humour. The scenes spark conversation, storytelling, and collective puzzle‑solving – great for social and community groups.Perfect for Social Outings – RELICS is accessible, uplifting, and appeals to all ages and interests. It’s an easy, welcoming outing for mixed‑interest groups and diverse communities.

What your group visit can include:

Your booking can be tailored depending on your group’s interests and needs:

A short introduction exploring the artists’ process and stories behind the scenes

Time for looking closely, photographing, and exploring the exhibition at your own pace. Please allow at least 60 minutes to experience RELICS

YOUNG AT HEART scavenger hunt specially designed for adult visitors

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

Accessible gallery spaces suitable for all mobility levels

Seating, air‑conditioning, and staff support to make your visit relaxed and enjoyable

Multilevel carparking adjacent to YAM with accessible parking on the ground floor

Peach and Wolf café on site for refreshments

RELICS is ideal for:

Seniors and retirement groups

Adult community education

Workplace team outings

Social clubs and hobby groups

Disability and access groups

Book clubs and creative collectives

Tourism and visitor groups

Multigenerational groups

Cultural or language learning groups

Multicultural groups

Bookings:

Bookings are essential for all adult 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

We look forward to welcoming your group to experience the creativity, wonder, and playful brilliance of RELICS: A New World Rises at Yarrila Arts & Museum.

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

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

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.

RELICS Activities and Workshops
2026-03-28 10:00 - 2026-07-19 10:00
RELICS Activities and Workshops

Event, Program

Extend your visit to RELICS: A New World Rises with YAM’s series of art making and STEAM programs that invite children, families and young people to explore creativity through hands on making, imaginative play and collaborative problem solving.

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Drawing on the exhibition’s themes of reinvention, sustainability and storytelling, the programs encourage participants to look closely at the world around them and to see everyday materials as sites of possibility, transformation and wonder.Blending art, science, technology, engineering and design, the program series creates accessible entry points into creative learning that are playful, future‑focused and grounded in curiosity. Participants are encouraged to experiment, test ideas, take creative risks and work together—whether they are building LEGO® worlds, reimagining discarded objects, exploring printmaking and painting, or discovering new ways of thinking through STEAM challenges. Each experience is designed to build confidence, spark imagination and support different learning styles through making and doing.From free drop‑in activities for families to facilitated workshops and youth‑led experiences, these programs extend the world of RELICS beyond the gallery walls. They transform the exhibition from something to be viewed into something to be activated—inviting audiences to become makers, thinkers and storytellers in their own right. Together, the programs create a welcoming, inclusive space where creativity is shared across generations and where art and STEAM intersect to inspire new ideas about the future at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

Drop‑in RELICS Play Space

Build, imagine and create in the RELICS Play Space, a free, drop‑in LEGO® building zone where you become part of the exhibition! Inspired by the worlds of RELICS, this hands‑on space invites children, families and curious minds of all ages to design, build and display their own creations. Whether you’re constructing a tiny civilisation or experimenting with bold ideas, the RELICS Play Space offers a relaxed, playful environment to explore creativity together.

Time: Gallery hoursCost: FREE – drop in, no bookings requiredAges: Families

Drop‑in RELICS Family Challenges

Looking for a creative activity the whole family can enjoy? Dive into the RELICS Family Challenges, a free drop‑in experience where imagination takes centre stage. Working together, kids and adults are invited to repurpose an everyday object into something entirely new for a LEGO® minifigure community. This self‑paced, hands‑on activity is perfect for tinkerers, dreamers and builders of all ages. Simply collect a challenge card and object, then let your ideas lead the way.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.Time: Gallery hoursCost: FREE – drop in, no bookings requiredAges: Families

STEAM Challenge: Future Makers Lab

Young innovators are invited to roll up their sleeves and imagine a greener tomorrow in this hands‑on STEAM sustainability challenge!

In this dynamic workshop, kids will explore real‑world environmental problems and dream-up creative solutions using science, technology, engineering, art and maths. When: Wednesday 8 AprilCost: $10 Ages: 8 – 14 year olds

Print Your Own LEGO® Minifigure Tote Bag!

Get ready for a hands‑on creative adventure! In this playful printmaking workshop, led by artist Marc Renshaw, young makers will design their very own LEGO® minifigure character – from superheroes to funky fashionistas. When: Thursday 16 AprilCost: $30Ages: 10 – 16 year olds

Youth Week Special Event! Youth Run Tour Of RELICS: A New World Rises

To celebrate Youth Week, the YAM Young Creatives will be leading special Youth Tours designed by young people, for young people through RELICS: A New World Rises. Get behind‑the‑scenes insights hear what inspired the RELICS creators and take part in a scavenger hunt. When: Friday 17 April Cost: FREEAges: 12 – 25 year olds

Meet the RELICS creators: Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler
2026-03-28 11:30 - 12:30
Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell

Event, Program

Hear what inspired RELICS: A New World Rises and how this exhibition came to life.

Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

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.

Join us for a meet and greet with Alex and Jackson on RELICS opening day and hear about the inspiration for this extraordinary exhibition and how it came to life!

Tickets to RELICS are available separately.

Drop-in RELICS Play Space
2026-04-04 10:00 - 2026-04-19 10:00
Drop-in RELICS Play Space

Event, Program

Drop in and get creative in the RELICS Play Space!

Image Credit Auckland Museum

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Build, imagine and create in the RELICS Play Space, a free, drop‑in LEGO® building zone where you become part of the exhibition!

Inspired by the worlds of RELICS, this hands‑on space invites children, families and curious minds of all ages to design, build and display their own creations. Whether you’re constructing a tiny civilisation or experimenting with bold ideas, the RELICS Play Space offers a relaxed, playful environment to explore creativity together.

Children and Family Trail
2026-04-04 10:00 - 2026-04-19 10:00
Children and Family Trail

Event, Program

Discover Coffs Harbour’s history these school holidays.

Image Credit: and the trees photography

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Discover Coffs Harbour’s history these school holidays with our free, self‑guided trail for YAM’s interactive social history exhibition Yaamanga (around here).

Families can explore local stories, objects and hidden treasures throughout the exhibition at their own pace.

Drop in anytime, no bookings required.

Drop‑in RELICS Family Challenges
2026-04-04 10:00 - 2026-04-19 10:00
Drop‑in holiday fun at YAM! RELICS family challenges

Event, Program

Looking for a creative holiday activity, the whole family can enjoy?

Image credit Auckland Museum

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Dive into the RELICS Family Challenges, a free drop‑in experience where imagination takes centre stage.

Working together, kids and adults are invited to repurpose an everyday object into something entirely new for a LEGO® minifigure community. This self‑paced, hands‑on activity is perfect for tinkerers, dreamers and builders of all ages. Simply collect a challenge card and object, then let your ideas lead the way.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Autumn School Holidays
2026-04-04 10:00 - 2026-04-19 10:00
Autumn School Holidays at YAM

Event, Program

These autumn school holidays, Yarrila Arts and Museum invites children, families and young people to explore, create and imagine together.

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

From discovering local stories and hands‑on making to STEAM workshops and youth‑led experiences, YAM’s holiday program is packed with playful learning and creative fun.

Whether you’re dropping in for a self‑guided trail, joining a workshop, or stepping inside the immersive world of RELICS: A New World Rises, there are plenty of opportunities to spark curiosity, build confidence and enjoy meaningful creative time together.

Perfect for families, budding artists and young innovators, YAM is your go‑to destination for inspiring, screen‑free school holiday adventures!

Children and Family Trail

Discover Coffs Harbour’s history these school holidays with our free, self‑guided trail for YAM’s interactive social history exhibition Yaamanga (around here). Families can explore local stories, objects and hidden treasures throughout the exhibition at their own pace. Drop in anytime, no bookings required.When: All school holidays during gallery hoursCost: FreeAges: Families, 6-10 year olds

Drop‑in RELICS Play Space

Build, imagine and create in the RELICS Play Space, a free, drop‑in LEGO® building zone where you become part of the exhibition! Inspired by the worlds of RELICS, this hands‑on space invites children, families and curious minds of all ages to design, build and display their own creations. Whether you’re constructing a tiny civilisation or experimenting with bold ideas, the RELICS Play Space offers a relaxed, playful environment to explore creativity together.

Time: Gallery hoursCost: FREE – drop in, no bookings requiredAges: Families

Drop‑in RELICS Family Challenges

Looking for a creative holiday activity, the whole family can enjoy? Visit YAM these school holidays and take part in our drop‑in RELICS family Challenges! Inspired by RELICS: A New World Rises, kids can unleash their imaginations as they repurpose an everyday object into something totally new for a mini-figure community.When: All holidays in gallery hoursCost: FREE – drop in, no bookings requiredAges: Families

STEAM Challenge: Future Makers Lab

Young innovators are invited to roll up their sleeves and imagine a greener tomorrow in this hands‑on STEAM sustainability challenge!

In this dynamic workshop, kids will explore real‑world environmental problems and dream-up creative solutions using science, technology, engineering, art and maths. When: Wednesday 8 AprilCost: $10 Ages: 8 – 14 year olds

Expressive Painting With Kelly JoyJoin artist Kelly Joy for a fun and inspiring painting class designed to spark creativity and build confidence. Young artists will explore colour, layers, and playful techniques while creating their own unique artworks in a supportive, hands-on environment. When: Thursday 9 AprilCost: $20Ages: 8 – 12 year olds

Print Your Own LEGO® Minifigure Tote Bag!

Get ready for a hands‑on creative adventure! In this playful printmaking workshop, led by artist Marc Renshaw, young makers will design their very own LEGO® minifigure character – from superheroes to funky fashionistas. When: Thursday 16 AprilCost: $30Ages: 10 – 16 year olds

Youth Week Special Event! Youth Run Tour Of RELICS: A New World Rises

To celebrate Youth Week, the YAM Young Creatives will be leading special Youth Tours designed by young people, for young people through RELICS: A New World Rises. Get behind‑the‑scenes insights hear what inspired the RELICS creators and take part in a scavenger hunt. When: Friday 17 April Cost: FREEAges: 12 – 25 year olds

STEAM Challenge: Future Makers Lab
2026-04-08 10:00 - 12:00
STEAM Challenge: Future Makers Lab

Event, Program

Young innovators are invited to roll up their sleeves and imagine a greener tomorrow in this hands‑on STEAM sustainability challenge!

Young inventor working in his laboratory

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

In this dynamic workshop, kids will explore real‑world environmental problems and dream-up creative solutions using science, technology, engineering, art and maths.

Inspired by RELICS: A New World Rises participants will be given an unused item and challenged to reinvent it for a better future. The session is packed with brainstorming, building, testing and plenty of creative chaos!

Along the way, kids will discover how a fresh perspective can spark cleaner, smarter planet-friendly ideas.

A fun, empowering experience that ignites curiosity, teamwork and environmental awareness.

Expressive Painting With Kelly Joy
2026-04-09 10:00 - 12:00
Expressive painting with Kelly Joy

Event, Program

Join artist Kelly Joy for a fun and inspiring painting class designed to spark creativity and build confidence.

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Young artists will explore colour, layers, and playful techniques while creating their own unique artworks in a supportive, hands-on environment.

Perfect for all skill levels, this class encourages self-expression, curiosity and the joy of making art. Come ready to paint, play and discover.

Lego Minifigure Tote Bag
2026-04-16 13:30 - 15:30
Print your own LEGO® minifigure tote bag!

Event, Program

Get ready for a hands‑on creative adventure!

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

In this playful printmaking workshop, led by artist Marc Renshaw, young makers will design their very own LEGO® minifigure character – from superheroes to funky fashionistas.

Once their unique character is planned, they’ll print it onto a stylish tote bag to take home and show off!

This workshop is all about imagination, experimentation, and fun. Whether your child is new to printmaking or already loves art, they’ll enjoy exploring bold shapes, bright ideas and the magic of ink and rollers. A playful, confidence boosting art experience they’ll love!

RELICS Youth Week Special Event
2026-04-17 14:00 - 16:00
Youth Week Special Event! Youth run tour of RELICS: A New World Rises

Event, Program

To celebrate Youth Week, the YAM Young Creatives will be leading special Youth Tours designed by young people, for young people through RELICS: A New World Rises.

Image credit Sia Duff

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Get behind‑the‑scenes insights hear what inspired the RELICS creators and take part in a scavenger hunt.

After your guided tour, you are welcome to stay and explore the exhibition at your own pace or get creative in the RELICS Play Space.

Please note: Adults attending with young people or younger siblings will need to purchase their own exhibition ticket separately.

Bookings are essential, as spots are limited, so be sure to book!

Block 1 – 2:00pm – 2:15pm Youth Tour – participants can then view the exhibition on their own until 4pm

Block 2 – 2:20pm – 2:35pm Youth Tour – participants can then view the exhibition on their own until 4pm

Block 3 2:45pm – 3:00pm Youth Tour – participants can then view the exhibition on their own until 4pm

Self-Guided Artmaking
2026-12-31 10:00 - 16:00
Self-Guided Artmaking

Event, Program

Get creative at YAM with free self-guided artmaking activities available in The Workshop!

Event, Program

Teacher’s Preview with Patricia Piccinini and Caroline Rothwell
When

17 Jun 20254:30 pm – 6:00 pm

LocationThe Workshop and Gallery, Yarrila Arts and Museum CostFree event

Get creative with art making activities inspired by YAM’s exhibitions at The Workshop. Activities range from designing and creating your own textiles, constructing contemporary collages and drawing. Activities are suitable for adults, children, and families so come in, relax, and enjoy making art.
