Spot the L.S. Lowry’s, Turner or Hockney and surround yourself with some of the best ceramic art in the world at one of the UK’s best regional galleries. An £8 million development in 2015 saw it shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year and the European Museum of the Year as the whole building was transformed. The gallery has three exhibition spaces on the ground floor, displaying the best of national and international exhibitions, and four on the first floor, including two galleries which are home to the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA), which showcases our internationally significant collection of British Studio Ceramics.

At the rear of the building, walk down into the Artists Garden and the Edible Wood before exploring the rest of the beautiful York Museum Gardens.

Exhibitions:

Special Exhibition- BLOOM
23 June – 8 October 2023
Tickets £8 per person
Book tickets here

Flowers, plant life and gardens have fascinated and inspired generations of artists. York Art Gallery’s upcoming exhibition ‘Bloom’ brings together more than 100 botanical artworks from its collection, alongside key loans, to explore the importance of nature and green spaces for enjoyment, creativity and wellbeing.

‘Bloom’ showcases flora through paintings, works on paper, ceramics and contemporary installations. The exhibition highlights the story of the Museum Gardens in York through art, from its early beginnings through to its activities today, before exploring a wonderful range of still life paintings from the Gallery’s own collection as well as a series of loans. In the final space, featured works show how gardens and flowers are able to reflect and draw on themes of identity. The exhibition encourages visitors to think about the significance of our natural world and how best to enjoy, cherish and protect it.

York Art Gallery houses a range of beautiful floral-themed works, including paintings by leading artists such as Henri Fantin-Latour, Charles Ginner and Jan van Os, all of whom are known for their interest in flowers, nature and landscapes. The display is further enhanced by an installation commission by York-based artist Jade Blood, as well as contemporary loans from two collections: Richard Saltoun Gallery and the Intoart Collection.

Throughout the duration of ‘Bloom’, there will be an exciting array of creative activities for all ages, including family friendly artist led workshops, under 5s storytelling, and fun trails around the exhibition. Adults will be able to enjoy life drawing, still life drawing and a chance to explore the exhibition after hours in a special late event! Visit our Events pages for more information.

This exhibition is supported by the Friends of York Art Gallery.

Treasures from the Stores

Open

FREE Admission

Treasures from the Stores showcases artworks that haven’t been on display before, or for a long time, including Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn Monroe’, alongside some of the most loved jewels of the collection.

York Art Gallery’s collection was established in 1882 and through gifts, bequests and purchases has now grown to include over 1,000 paintings, 100 sculptures, 14,000 works on paper, and 6,000 ceramics which form the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The gallery can only display a relatively small selection of works at a time, with the majority of the collection being stored in the ‘Friends of York Art Gallery Fine Art Store’.

This innovative exhibition highlights a selection of iconic paintings, considered by some to be the gems of York’s collection, such as the sixteenth century ‘Portrait of a Man with a Book’ by Parmigianino; works that have not been on display for many years such as Thomas Barker’s eighteenth century ‘Crazy Kate’, as well as new acquisitions including the portrait of ‘Una Marson’ by internationally celebrated artist Sahara Longe. There are also treasures which can be discovered anew following research or restoration, and some, like ‘Unknown Lady as Saint Elizabeth’ which remain a mystery.