Seabastion Toast Seeing other people
2026-03-19 10:00 - 2026-04-19 14:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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.

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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…

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.

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

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.

Win a RELICS Prize Pack!
2026-03-28 10:00 - 2026-07-19 16:00
Win a RELICS Prize Pack!

Event, Program

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Scan the QR code in the gallery or complete a quick visitor survey online for your chance to WIN a RELICS prize pack valued at over $60.

The prize pack features a RELICS cap, RELICS book – A New World Rises: Tales of a LEGO Future, and your very own LEGO® Minifigure!

Already visited? You can still enter the draw by completing the survey online.

Meet the RELICS creators: Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler
2026-03-28 11:30 - 12:30
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

Event, Program

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

Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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.

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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.

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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.

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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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

Long Pose Portrait Sessions
2026-04-19 10:30 - 13:30
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

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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

Kate Mackay: Everything at once
2026-04-23 10:00 - 2026-05-24 16:00
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

Event, Program

Kate Mackay, 2 pieces (detail), oil on canvas. Image courtesy of the artist.

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Painter and sculptor Kate Mackay works within the genre of the non-objective and geometric abstraction. Her work is an exploration of repetition, process and random difference within uniformity, in which series of works are created by repeated combinations of simple elements, often leading to inevitable imperfections.Everything at Once brings together a series of oil‑on‑canvas works into a single large‑scale installation. Each painting translates a written quote—from artists, writers and philosophers spanning 320 BC to 2024—into a geometric field of squares and circles, turning reflections on art‑making into visual patterns that obscure their original meaning.Using stencils to make the work introduces chance into the process, randomising colour placement and revealing unexpected relationships. When assembled, the individual works also generate a new, accidental narrative. Across the installation, chance, process and perception shape both the making of the works and the meanings that surface.

Kate Mackay: Everything at once Exhibition Opening
2026-04-23 17:30 - 19:00
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

Event, Program

Kate Mackay, 2 pieces (detail), oil on canvas. Image courtesy of the artist.

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of Kate Mackay I Everything at onceThursday 23 April, 5:30 – 7:00pmFree entryLight refreshments provided. YAM Bar openYarrila Arts and Museum

Studio Kids @ YAM
2026-04-29 16:00 - 2026-06-17 17:30
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

Event, Program

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

This children’s art program offers a fun and engaging exploration of creativity through a range of hands-on activities. Young artists will capture movement through line and colour, experiment with mixed media collage, explore ideas of place, play with shadows, develop expressive mark making, and create artworks inspired by land and sky. With time spent working both freely and on the easels, young artists will build confidence, develop skills and be encouraged to explore their own ideas in a supportive and imaginative environment.

Each week, students begin with a guided gallery visit with an artist educator, exploring artworks and ideas as inspiration. This is followed by studio-based artmaking activities ranging from painting and drawing to sculpture and mixed media, where participants experiment with materials, learn new techniques, and develop their own creative responses.

Location: Yarrila Arts and Museum Dates: 8-week intensive after school program during Term 2, 29 April to 17 June 2026Time: 4:00 – 5:30pmCost: $100 for the 8-week programAges: 8 – 12 year oldsAll materials provided, aprons available but old clothes recommended.

Creative Kids vouchers accepted. Vouchers can be redeemed during the Eventbrite booking process. Only valid vouchers will be accepted.

Email yamprograms@chcc.nsw.gov.au for all other enquiries.

CREATIVE LAB: Experimental Art and Design
2026-05-05 16:00 - 2026-06-30 17:30
Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance

Event, Program

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

CREATIVE LAB: Experimental Art and Design is a hands‑on after‑school program for ages 9–13 that brings together science, technology, engineering and maths through experimental art processes and techniques (STEAM).

Through creative making, participants will experiment with simple materials and reimagined finds, exploring movement, light and energy to create exciting, contemporary artworks.

Classes will include:

– Glow and phosphorescence experiments layered with art, design and photography

– Designing drawing machines powered by motors, water and wind

– Experimenting with UV‑reactive ‘light drawing’

– Making moving artworks inspired by flight and air

– Transforming sound into unexpected drawings

– Bio-inspired object design based on nature

Participants will practice creative thinking and problem‑solving, while building confidence through making, testing, adapting and sharing their ideas in a fun and supportive studio environment.All materials provided. Old clothes recommended.

Email yamprograms@chcc.nsw.gov.au for all enquiries. Places are limited – book early to secure your spot!

The Rubbish Renaissance: Jewellery, Jazz & Gin
2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-06-25 17:30 - 19:30
The Rubbish RenaissanceJewellery, Jazz & Gin

Event, Program

This evening jewellery‑making workshop invites you to transform everyday waste into wearable relics, set to a smooth jazz soundtrack and paired with Emerald Island Gin cocktails.

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Step into the after‑hours world of RELICS: A New World Rises, where forgotten materials are reimagined and nothing is quite what it was before.

This evening jewellery‑making workshop invites you to transform everyday waste into wearable relics, set to a smooth jazz soundtrack and paired with Emerald Island Gin cocktails. In a relaxed, social two‑hour Thursday night session, participants will experiment with plastic bottles, aluminium cans and repurposed gems – turning discarded materials into bold, one‑of‑a‑kind pieces.

Inspired by RELICS’ playful take on sustainability and creative reuse, this workshop celebrates curiosity, reinvention and the unexpected—because even the smallest off‑cuts can spark the most surprising transformations.

Your ticket includes:

– All materials (rescued, repurposed and ready for reinvention)– Step‑by‑step creative guidance– A crafted Emerald Island Gin cocktail (or two!)– A laid‑back, after‑hours making experience inspired by the world of RELICSNo prior experience needed – just an open mind and a willingness to see old things differently.

Long Pose Portrait Session
2026-05-17 10:30 - 13:30, 2026-06-28 10:30 - 13:30
Long Pose Portrait Session

Event, Program

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

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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

YAM Up Late: Steampunk Social
2026-05-22 17:00 - 20:00
YAM Up LateSteampunk Social

Event, Program

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Step into a world where Victorian imagination meets cutting-edge creativity at YAM Up Late: Steampunk Social. To coincide with RELICS: A New World Rises, Yarrila Arts and Museum transforms after dark into a playful, immersive space filled with music, creativity and curious discoveries.

Featuring:

RELICS: A New World Rises open after dark

DJ Jemka playing steampunk-style atmospheric beats

‘Cog & Clockwork’ creative printmaking activities

Special Curator of Curiosities tour of RELICS

Secret Adult Fans of Lego RELICS scavenger hunt

Chance to win prizes for best steampunk outfit

Drinks available for purchase at the YAM Bar including cocktails and craft beer

Food options available for purchase:Bao buns from Fat Duck Food Truck andWood-fired pizza from Moreish Pizza

Dress as a steampunk inventor, explorer, time traveller, or come as you are and experience Yarrila Arts and Museum in a whole new way after dark, a little eccentric, and seriously fun.

This is YAM like you’ve never experienced before!FREE EVENT! Tickets to RELICS, food & drinks purchased separately.Group booking discount for 10+ is available at YAM reception only.

Take a Moment in May
2026-05-27 12:00 - 13:30
Take a Moment in May

Event, Program

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

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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 May 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.

Drew Hopper: West of Somewhere East
2026-05-28 10:00 - 2026-06-28 16:00
Drew HopperWest of Somewhere East

Event, Program

West Of Somewhere East is a photographic series tracing a cinematic journey through the interior of New South Wales, shaped by long drives, fleeting encounters, and the reflective rhythm of return.

Drew Hopper, Hills Hoist, 2020

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Grounded in Drew Hopper’s upbringing travelling across Australia, West Of Somewhere East reflects a way of seeing that is formed through movement, both observational and deeply personal.Situated within post-documentary practice, the series resists straightforward description. Rather than documenting the Australian interior, the photographs act as meditations on perception, memory, and atmosphere, where seeing is inseparable from feeling.Composed through quiet attention to light, texture, and form, the images gather fragments of the in-between: roadside geometries, weathered surfaces, and shifting spatial tensions. Together, they reveal a subdued Australia, shaped by suggestion rather than spectacle.Within the Great Southern Land, the landscape emerges as both vast and intimate – marked by distance, resilience, and quiet transformation. Human presence lingers only in traces, set against the enduring scale of the land.Balancing observation and interpretation, the series blurs the line between document and image. It becomes a space where place and memory converge.Ultimately, West Of Somewhere East is a study in attentiveness, a quiet meditation on movement, perception, and the enduring resonance of the Australian interior.

Drew Hopper: West of Somewhere East Exhibition Opening
2026-05-28 17:30 - 19:00
Drew HopperWest of Somewhere EastExhibition Opening

Event, Program

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of Drew Hopper West of Somewhere East

Drew Hopper, Hills Hoist, 2020

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of Drew Hopper I West of Somewhere East Thursday 28 May, 5:30 – 7:00pmFree entryLight refreshments provided. YAM Bar openYarrila Arts and Museum

Teeny Tours: A RELICS Special Event
2026-05-29 10:00 - 11:00
Teeny Tours: A RELICS Special Event

Event, Program

Teeny Tours is taking over RELICS for a special week at Yarrila Arts and Museum.

RELICS on exhibition at YARRILA ARTS AND MUSEUM, Coffs Harbour NSW Australia

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Teeny Tour children attend free when accompanied by a paying guardian, making it the perfect opportunity to explore together.

Teeny Tours invites young visitors and their carers to immerse themselves in artful conversations, cultural discovery and creative play. These lively, thoughtful sessions are designed to be engaging for both children and adults, and include an exhibition tour, artmaking, story time and hands‑on creative play. Teeny Tours are small‑group sessions and are accessible and welcoming for all young children.

Bookings for this session are essential, as adult tickets must be purchased in advance. This session replaces our regular Teeny Tour session.

Old School Foundations: Contemporary Sculpture Workshop
2026-05-30 10:30 - 13:30
Old School FoundationsContemporary Sculpture Workshop

Event, Program

In this hands‑on sculpture workshop, artist Nick Warfield invites participants to transform humble cereal‑box cardboard into bold, contemporary sculptural forms.

Image credit: Nick Warfield, Yellow Robin, metal sculpture. Image courtesy of the artist.

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Step into the creative mindset of RELICS: A New World Rises, where familiar materials are reimagined and nothing is as ordinary as it first appears.

In this hands‑on sculpture workshop, artist Nick Warfield invites participants to transform humble cereal‑box cardboard into bold, contemporary sculptural forms. Drawing on both classic construction methods and experimental approaches, the session explores form, structure and balance – turning everyday waste into dynamic three‑dimensional works.

Designed for curious beginners and experienced makers alike, this workshop is all about testing ideas, solving problems and seeing overlooked materials in entirely new ways. Expect plenty of cutting, binding, shaping and building as you rethink what sculpture can be.

About the artistNick Warfield is a local sculptor whose background in engineering and building design informs his found‑object and assemblage practice. Working primarily with salvaged and recycled materials—including timber, steel and automotive parts sourced from commercial waste – Nick’s work reflects a deep interest in structure, material intelligence and sustainable making.

Stamp It: Upcycled T-Shirt Print Lab
2026-06-20 10:30 - 13:30
Stamp ItUpcycled T-Shirt Print Lab

Event, Program

Led by artist Marc Renshaw, this creative printmaking workshop invites participants to transform a plain or pre‑loved cotton T‑shirt or fabric bag into a one‑of‑a‑kind wearable artwork.

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Step into the playful, hands‑on world of RELICS: A New World Rises, where everyday materials are reimagined and given bold new purpose.

Led by artist Marc Renshaw, this creative printmaking workshop invites participants to transform a plain or pre‑loved cotton T‑shirt or fabric bag into a one‑of‑a‑kind wearable artwork. Using blocks, lino stamps and experimental print textures, you’ll explore pattern, repetition and layout – turning familiar materials into something fresh, graphic and expressive.

Part upcycling, part experimentation, this session is all about creative reuse, curiosity and happy accidents. Bring something old, leave with something entirely new – and uniquely yours.

Participants are asked to bring a plain cotton T‑shirt or cotton/canvas bag for printing.

About the artistMarc Renshaw is a contemporary local artist whose practice champions accessibility, experimentation and sustainable creative processes. Working across drawing, printmaking, street art and painting, he is the founder of Big Fig Arts and The Bellinger Print Social, an open‑access printmaking studio.

Take a Moment in June
2026-06-24 12:00 - 13:30
Take a Moment in June

Event, Program

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

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

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 Drew Hopper’s exhibition West of Somewhere East.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 June 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.

Nikky Morgan-Smith: Index Act
2026-07-02 10:00 - 2026-08-02 16:00
Nikky Morgan-Smith: Index Act

Event, Program

Index Act considers drawing as an embodied practice connected to lived experience. Combining performance-based photography, mark-making and mixed media, Nikky Morgan-Smith presents a series of multi-layered compositions exploring linear time, memory, and physical existence.

Nikky Morgan-Smith, unmade bed, chiffon, digital print, acrylic paint, paper in recycled hardwood box, 2026 (detail), photo by Lisa Cross

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Within each work, past and present intersect through photographic stills of the body in motion – capturing sensations and emotional states – and intuitive, gestural drawings that emerge in response. Together, they form a liminal third space, a threshold where image and mark, index and act, converge to reveal what is not immediately visible. In this in-between realm, the invisible histories of the body – its stored sensations, memories and energies – are made perceptible, emerging through the layering and interaction of forms.

Nikky Morgan-Smith: Index Act Exhibition Opening
2026-07-02 17:30 - 19:00
Nikky Morgan-Smith: Index Act Exhibition Opening

Event, Program

Index Act considers drawing as an embodied practice connected to lived experience. Combining performance-based photography, mark-making and mixed media, Nikky Morgan-Smith presents a series of multi-layered compositions exploring linear time, memory, and physical existence.

Nikky Morgan-Smith, unmade bed, chiffon, digital print, acrylic paint, paper in recycled hardwood box, 2026 (detail), photo by Lisa Cross

Event, Program

Deborah Kelly CREATION Performance
When

14 Mar 20265:30 pm – 8:00 pm

WhereYarrila Arts and Museum and Ground Floor, Yarrila PlaceCostFREE! Bookings highly recommended as limited seating available Plan your visitReserve your spotCREATION exhibition

Yarrila Arts and Museum invites you and your guests to the opening of Nikky Morgan-Smith I Index ActThursday 2 July, 5:30 – 7:00pm

Free entryLight refreshments provided. YAM Bar openYarrila Arts and Museum
