Date: 19 March 2026 

Create the Wave! York Art Gallery’s Easter Programme 2026 

Saturday 28 March – Sunday 12 April   

Inspired by Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print 

York Art Gallery is celebrating a hugely successful opening of a brand-new exhibition, Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print! With world-famous prints such as Hoskusai’s ‘The Great Wave,’ currently on loan from Maidstone Museum, the exhibition is a star attraction for the North of England and one not to be missed! The Easter activity programme has been designed to highlight the best of the exhibition and York Art Gallery for families and provide interactive sessions for all ages. 

Included in general admission, Family Relief Printing on Friday 10 April invites visitors to get hands-on crafting with foam, card and colour to make fun and dramatic sea-themed prints. Creative Families sessions are an artist-led activity, playing with inks and stamps, and will run on Thursday 2 April, Saturday 4 April, Thursday 9 April and Sunday 12 April, suitable for everyone to have a go and create a masterpiece. 

On Wednesday 1 April, join Eleanor Jackson, curator of the Making Waves exhibition, for a special talk on York Art Gallery’s newly acquired print. Included in general admission, the talk is titled ‘Secret Lives of Samurai Women’ and will explore the history behind the Hashimoto Chikanobu print, generously purchased by the Friends of York Art Gallery. 

Daily Art Shot Talks with the Visitor Experience Team provide insight into some of the incredible works throughout the Gallery. Here visitors can explore the range of art on display, from grand masters to contemporary pieces. Sculpture and ceramics also feature in the Harold Gosney: Materials and Making and Not a Pot exhibitions.  

Additional extras are also available to book throughout the Easter holiday. Saturday 28 March provides the chance to carve and print a ‘mini wave’ in a Lino Printmaking Workshop suitable for ages 10 and up, tickets are £7 per person. Two 2-hour slots are available to book via York Art Gallery’s website.  

Gallery Tales take place on Wednesday 1 and Wednesday 8 April, perfect for 2–8-year-olds, join Story Craft Theatre to create interactive stories and dive into the collections in a new adventure each week. Tickets are limited, book online now to avoid disappointment. 

Due to the popularity of the exhibition, York Art Gallery is opening for an additional day on Tuesday 7 April, giving visitors to York and local residents more opportunities to experience the exhibition. Enjoy a day out with family, friends, or come in on a lunch break and enjoy world class art. 

Visit York Museum Gardens and see the Japanese-inspired garden, created for the Making Waves exhibition. Situated at the rear of York Art Gallery, a calming zen garden with blossoming cherry and apricot trees provides the perfect spot of calm in the heart of the city. York Museum Gardens are running a spring Nature Trail with the Yorkshire Museum, pick up an activity sheet from the admissions desk for £2 and explore the wildlife and plants throughout the Gardens. Don’t forget to collect a small chocolate prize from the Yorkshire Museum once complete. 

York Art Gallery is expected to be very busy throughout the Easter break; pre-booking online is recommended but not essential. Making Waves will be at York Art Gallery until 30 August 2026, with more workshops, events and talks happening over the coming months, please see York Art Gallery’s website for more details.