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The York Art Workers' Association is an eclectic group of craftsmen, artists, conservators, academics and others who share a serious interest in the arts. Members represent architectural craftsmanship, other applied arts, all fine arts, architecture and conservation. We welcome not only practitioners in these fields, whether amateur or professional, but anyone with a keen interest or appreciation of art and design. We exist to extend and share our knowledge and experience through a widely varied programme of monthly talks, normally on the first Monday of the month (doors open at 7pm, meetings start at 7.30). We also organise occasional courses, workshops, outings and social events. Our talks are open to anyone.
We meet at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NX. There is parking at the church, on nearby streets and in the local car park by the shops, a few minutes' walk away. There is cycle parking too and it is on a bus route. There is level access and the meeting room is on the ground floor.
Admission: members £3, non members £7.
There is no need to book, please feel free to just turn up! If you would like to know more about the association, please email info@yorkartworkers.org.uk, or come to the next meeting; we will be very pleased to see you.
Download a PDF of this year’s programme here - for more information on each speaker please see the Events Calendar
Speaker images 2026:Tony Ovenell (February), Thin Ice Press (June), Megan Barnett (December)
Andrian Melka (April), Claire Wellesly Smith(October), Alison Duddle (March), George Willmore (September)
David Mayne (July), Richard Kitchen (May), Rose Ferraby (November)
Since graduating with a degree in illustration from UCLAN in 2006, Ric has been working as a freelance illustrator and he moved to York in 2010, where he’s found inspiration in the city’s architecture. "I fell in love with buildings and architecture which started from looking up and noticing parts of buildings I hadn’t noticed before – the kind of things people might not notice on their way to work with their busy lives,” he says. "I really started to take pleasure in those parts of buildings and that inspired me to sit outside and sketch them, which is something I still love to do. I have a fold-out backpack chair and I really get a lot out of that – it’s so relaxing to sit there with a pencil and a sketchbook out of the way of folk passing by. You get a bit of engagement with the public too, which is quite nice sometimes.”
He’s recently had a specific focus on shopfronts. "I love the details in the windows and noticing the colours and shapes but I also love the community spirit that’s behind those shops, as well as how important they are to the local area.”
Ric's quiet, faithful and beautifully executed illustrations are carried out using acrylics, collage and dip pen. We look forward to hearing about the development of his work and practice here in York.
https://www.liptrotillustration.co.uk/
Please arrive for 7 o'clock, we'd be anticipating about an hour for the formal part of the visit, with a little time afterwards for people to browse / take photographs / ask questions. Light refreshments (a glass of wine and some nibbles) will be available. The charge will be the usual £3 for the evening. Some of us will probably go across the road to the pub afterwards if anyone else wants to join us for a drink there.
Please indicate if you intend to come as we need to give numbers by May 25th, by emailing info@yorkartworkers.org.uk
The Thin Ice Press started out on the University of York campus in 2017 - moving to the vacated premises of the Old School Gallery on Peasholme Green just two years ago. Nestled in the tranquil St Anthony's Garden, just opposite the The Dispensary and overlooked by the City walls, this pressroom, museum and gallery brings together historic presses, centuries-old techniques, and a community working to ensure an endangered craft and skills thrive for years to come. The goal of the Thin Ice Press is to ensure the the future of traditional printing, not just preserving the past but bringing it to life.
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Where, when and how much?
We meet at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NX. There is parking at the church, on nearby streets and in the local car park by the shops, a few minutes' walk away. There is cycle parking too and it is on a bus route. There is level access and the meeting room is on the ground floor.
All events are on the first Monday of the month unless otherwise stated.
Events start at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm – please aim to be seated by 7.15pm.
Admission: members £3, non members £7. Half price for students. The fee for membership for 2025 is £22
Membership and programme enquiries to: info@yorkartworkers.org.uk
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