The Next Classics: a Gallery Preview

19 Sep 2026

This is a Friends’ private view of ‘The Next Classics : classic materials, techniques and inspiration in sculpture today’, a selling exhibition at Sliding Water Gallery, of sculpture – in various materials – drawings and prints, exploring...

Friends visit to Stourbridge

21 Aug 2026

The Iron Bridge, Staffordshire. Photo: Dorothy Nott The Friends of York Art Gallery July trip to Stourbridge started with a visit to Calke Abbey, a National Trust property in Derbyshire. The Trust acquired the property in 1985, when it was said to be on the brink of...

Artwork of the Month Aug 2026

9 Aug 2026

The next Artwork of the Month talk will be held on Wednesday 12 August at 11.30 am in the Madsen Gallery. Jane Eddleston’s talk will be about Rebecca Salter, current President of the Royal Academy and the first woman to be elected to that role. Salter is a...

Cornelia Parker: Engagement Ring drawing

3 May 2026

Our speaker for Artwork of the Month, April 2026, was Dorothy Nott, formerly Chair of the Friends and recently elected President. In her talk Dorothy discussed the wire drawing by Cornelia Parker, Engagement Ring (as long as it lasted), which at time of writing is on...

Friends tour to Cornwall 2025

12 Feb 2026

The Minack Theatre, Penzance. Photo: Tim Lewy Unexpectedly glorious weather accompanied the Friends on their tour of Cornwall. Stopping off at Tewkesbury, many amongst the group enjoyed an informative and lively talk around the Abbey before our first stop-over in...

Wedgwood and Flaxman: a talk by Sir Tristram Hunt

12 Feb 2026

‘Wedgwood and Flaxman: A Creative Alliance’, a talk by The Honourable Sir Tristram Hunt, FRHistS, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This lecture in the Tempest Anderson Hall, Yorkshire Museum, has been organised in connection with the exhibition on John...

LS Lowry: Two paintings in York Art Gallery

12 Feb 2026

Our speaker for Artwork of the Month, January 2026, was Jane Eddleston, a member of the Visitor Team at York Art Gallery. In her talk Jane reflected on the two paintings by L. S. Lowry in the Gallery’s collection, both currently on display in the Burton Gallery,...

Talk on the Fulleylove Stained-Glass Window, St Lawrence Church, York

4 Feb 2026

Our speaker, Alison Gilchrist, is an accredited stained-glass conservator at Barley Studio, York. In late 2025 the Barley Studio were honoured to work on this very special memorial window from St Lawrence’s Church, York. Designed by the Arts and Crafts artist, Joan...

Talk: Flaxman as Sculptor and Illustrator

4 Feb 2026

A talk by Sir Nicholas Penny FBA, FSA, Director of the National Gallery 2008-2015. Flaxman as Sculptor and Illustrator. This lecture by Sir Nicholas, together with one by Sir Tristram Hunt in October, has been organised in connection with the exhibition,...

Tour of the Borthwick Institute for Archives

4 Feb 2026

The Borthwick is one of the biggest archive repositories outside London. Since 2005 it has been based in a purpose- built building made possible by a grant of £4.4 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund. In this tour, Gary Brannan, the Keeper of Archives and Special...