YAM – August
August is an exciting month at Yarrila Arts and Museum, headlined by the arrival of Archibald Prize 2025, Australia’s most celebrated portrait exhibition. Alongside this iconic national tour, discover Young Archie Coffs Harbour, showcasing the talents of our region’s youngest artists, and Jeffrey Baker: Retrospective, one of the Mid North Coast’s most distinctive creative voices. Extend your visit with family days, creative workshops, wellbeing programs and children’s activities.
Where: Yarrila Arts & Museum
EXHIBITIONS
Archibald Prize 2025, 7 Aug – 13 Sep
Experience Australia’s most celebrated portrait award, the Archibald Prize, at Yarrila Arts and Museum. Featuring compelling portrayals of figures from stage and screen, music, media, and journalism, alongside reflections on activism, politics, and everyday life, Archibald Prize 2025 on tour from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, offers a rich and diverse portrait of Australian society today. Painted from life, each work captures a unique encounter between artist and subject – transforming observation into portraits that range from whimsical and tender to strikingly formal and intense. Moments of humour, joy, and introspection sit alongside powerful personal stories, while self-portraits and depictions of fellow creatives reveal the depth of connection and enduring friendships formed within the creative industries.
Together, these works invite audiences to pause, reflect, and consider the nuance of human experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of the nation’s most iconic exhibitions!
The Archibald Prize® regional tour is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition. Major partner, Optus.
EXHIBITION OPENING: Thu 6 Aug, 6-8pm. Free event, all welcome, bookings recommended.
Young Archie Coffs Harbour, 7 Aug – 13 Sept
Young Archie Coffs Harbour celebrates the creativity of budding young artists from across the Coffs Coast. Open to ages 5 – 18, this special exhibition invites participants to create a portrait of someone meaningful in their lives. As part of the Archibald Prize 2025 regional tour, this family-focused initiative highlights imagination, storytelling and connection through portraiture.
EXHIBITION OPENING: Mon 10 Aug, 4-5pm, winners announced. Free event, all welcome, bookings recommended.
Jeffrey Baker: Retro-spective, 6 Aug – 6 Sep
With a practice spanning more than four decades, Jeffrey Baker: Retrospective traces an ever-evolving creative journey. From his early days working alongside surfboard shaper Ronnie Goddard to the luminous coastal pastels of the 1980s, his more recent explorations of psychedelic line work, tribal motifs and sculptural form, this exhibition reflects the energy of the coastal surrounds of the Mid North Coast and the region’s enduring spirit of creativity.
EXHIBITION OPENING: Sat 8 Aug, 2-3:30pm. Free event, all welcome, bookings recommended.
Nikky Morgan Smith: Index Act, Until 2 Aug
Combining performance-based photography, mark-making and mixed media, Nikky Morgan-Smith presents a series of multi-layered compositions exploring linear time, memory, and physical existence.
PROGRAMS + WORKSHOPS
Take a Moment in August: Wed 26 Aug
Take a creative pause in the middle of your busy week on Wednesday 26 August from 12 – 1:30pm. This FREE creative wellbeing program invites you to slow down, recharge, and reconnect through art. Experience a guided exhibition tour and hands-on creative session designed to spark inspiration and nurture mindfulness.
Cocktails and Characters with Alykat, Thu 27 Aug, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Get inspired by the Archibald Prize 2025 and unleash your creativity with artist Alyson Pearson in this fun after-hours painting and collage workshop. Using paint and mixed media, you’ll create your own unique portrait while enjoying a relaxed evening of art, conversation and cocktails. No experience necessary. Ticket includes a glass of bubbles or a gin cocktail, with all materials and refreshments provided.
Thu 27 Aug, 5:30 – 7:30pm, $20, all materials and refreshments provided. For ages 18+, bookings essential.
Family Day – Create with an Artist at YAM, 6 Sep 10:30am – 1:30pm
Bring the whole family and experience Archibald Prize 2025. Explore the exhibition with a free family activity guide designed to help all ages connect with the stories behind the portraits. Then get creative with hands-on artmaking in a special artist driven creative activation inspired by the exhibition and led by artist Karlee Rawkins.
Sun 6 Sep, 10:30am-1:30. Free, drop-in activities, no bookings required.
YAM Young Creatives
As a YAM Young Creative, young people aged between 12 and 25, learn from artists, participate in workshops, contribute to programs and gain both personal and professional insights into creative industries and working in a gallery or museum. This is a free program, enrolments essential.
SPECIAL LIBRARIES EVENT: Australian Poetry Slam – Harry Bailey Memorial Library, 10 & 11 Aug
Australian Poetry Slam returns to City of Coffs Harbour in 2026, this year taking over the River Oak Room in Yarrila Place. Coffs Harbour Libraries is hosting a pre-heat Workshop on Monday 10 August, followed by the Australian Poetry Slam Heat on Tuesday 11 August. Whether you’re stepping up to the mic or cheering from the crowd, be part of something electric! Free to attend. Registrations essential.
For general visitor info and exhibition details, visit: yamcoffs.com.au. Follow @yam.coffs on socials for updates. Sign up to our newsletter for exhibition invites, programs, artist opportunities and special announcements.
Artwork: Jeffrey Baker, All things being equal, courtesy of the artist.
