A family-friendly open studio session with stamp and ink activities inspired by the 'Making Waves' exhibition, suitable for all ages.
Open Studio: Make and Play is running every weekend at York Art Gallery from 18 July to 6 September 2026, and it's one of those things that's easy to drop into whenever you've got a free morning or afternoon. It's a family-friendly session of stamp and ink activities, and the whole point is just to get stuck in and have a go.
The activities are based on the gallery's exhibition Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print, so they take their cue from that world of ink and paper. You're invited to experiment, collaborate and create, and the format works for all ages, which makes it a decent shout if you're heading in with kids or just fancy a bit of making on your own. It's less about following a set of instructions and more about seeing what happens when you start playing with stamps and ink.
It's held in The Studio, inside York Art Gallery on Exhibition Square, and it runs every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. There are a couple of gaps to keep in mind, though: it doesn't run on 25 July or 8 August, so check your dates before you set off. Because it's on every weekend across the summer, you don't have to rush it — if one Saturday doesn't work, there's always the next.
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As for the cost, it's included in general admission, so if you're already planning a visit to the gallery, this is just another thing you can add to the day. The Studio is right there in the building, so you can drift in and out as you please. It's open from 10am to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday from 18 July to 6 September, except 25 July and 8 August.
