York’s Arts and Culture Guide: Unmissable Activities for a SCENE-ic summer!

Rhiannon Cockerton gives us her top ten Arts and Culture summer activities to do in York.

1. York Art Gallery

Visit York Art Gallery to observe the permanent collections of the Burton Gallery, the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA), and the Anthony Shaw Collection. Exhibited until 8th September, see Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond (1899) right here in York!

2. York Minster

York Minster showcases ornate gothic architecture, with free exhibitions such as Light, Glass, Stone: Observing the Cuthbert Window and The Undercroft Museum which shares the history of the Minster. Recently opened, Out of the Ashes exhibition commemorates the 40th anniversary of the 1984 fire that threatened the Minster. Free entry with your student ID!

3. York Castle Museum

Shaping the Body: 400 Years of Fashion, Food & Life exhibition explores the history of fashion from the 18th century to the present and the relationship between food and figure. There is an admission price but all exhibitions are included. 

4. Castle Howard

Take a tour of the magnificent interior and grounds of Castle Howard. See artist Tony Cragg’s contemporary sculptures scattered throughout the House and Grounds. Over the Earth, Cragg’s most famous sculpture is being exhibited outdoors for the very first time!

5. York Mansion House

On August 4th, a new and exciting exhibition will be available, Uncovering the Parrot: A Forgotten Women-Led Satirical Periodical of the Eighteenth Century. The exhibit will feature Eliza Haywood and the paper she authored, The Parrot. Learn about one of the first women to live off the profits of her writing!

6. Barley Hall

Beasts at Barley Hall opened at the start of this month. Entry to the exhibition is included in the admission ticket. The exhibit explores the stories of animals in the mediaeval era, from pets and livestock to lions and dragons. A fun and informative day out for all. 

7. Blue Tree Gallery

Located near York Art Gallery, Blue Tree Gallery is an independent contemporary art gallery. A new exhibition opened recently, Spectrum of Summer, featuring artists Anne Marie Magson, Nina Foxx, Ruby Lewis, and Giuliana Lazzerini.

8. Clare Haley: Light of Yorkshire

Available at the beginning of August, an annual solo exhibition of artist Clare Haley’s contemporary landscape paintings. Deemed “The Light of Yorkshire”, Clare Haley is considered “one of the most exciting artistic talents to emerge out of Yorkshire in recent years”. The artist is said to capture the “emotion and ethereal essence of the British landscape with unparalleled perception.”

9. York River Art Market 2024

York River Art Market is a week-long event occurring in August. The market will be held along the Dame Judi Dench Walk and will exhibit 30+ Yorkshire-based artists. YRAM is free of charge and open to all. Witness the expanse of local artistic talent this summer!

10. York Georgian Festival

As part of the York Georgian Festival, Bridgerton by Candlelight concert will take place on 2nd August at York Mansion House. The string quartet will perform the re-imagined hits featured throughout the Bridgerton series. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.