TAKE an epic journey back to Jurassic Yorkshire, marvel at a private collection of Vivienne Westwood shoes and see the illustrations that brought the BFG to life in this year's major attractions run by the York Museums Trust.
In March, Yorkshire’s Jurassic World will open at the Yorkshire Museum, York, exploring the deepest oceans, tropical seas and ancient coasts of 150 million years ago.
In July, a private collection of iconic shoes by Vivienne Westwood will arrive at York Castle Museum, on loan from The Civic, Barnsley. In October, The BFG in Pictures will bring illustrations by Quentin Blake to York Art Gallery in a touring exhibition from House of Illustration.
York Art Gallery’s programme will include an exhibition on migration, The Sea Is The Limit and a show on the work of Lucie Rie and Strata - Rock - Dust - Stars, a digital art exhibition timed to coincide with the inaugural York Mediale.
Reyahn King, chief executive of York Museums Trust, says: "The next 12 months are set to be an exciting time to visit our attractions, with some fantastic exhibitions and events planned. We have attracted shows featuring household names such as Vivienne Westwood and Quentin Blake’s illustrations of the BFG, while working with exciting and thought-provoking artists on exhibitions such as The Sea Is The Limit and Strata - Rock - Dust - Stars.
"The latter continues the trust’s interest in embracing digital technology, which is also a major part of the Yorkshire Museum’s Yorkshire’s Jurassic World. Here you will be transported back to the deep oceans, tropical seas and dinosaur country of ‘Jurassic Yorkshire’ using the latest technology. You can even feed a virtual dinosaur its lunch!"
This year also will see the Friends of York Art Gallery celebrate their 70th year with an exhibition at York Art Gallery and York Castle Museum celebrate its 80th year. The Aesthetica Art Prize will return to the gallery and the Eboracum Roman Festival, York Proms in the York Museum Gardens and A Victorian Christmas at York Castle Museum all will be back too.
Cover artwork for The BFG, copyright of Quentin Blake, as part of The BFG in Pictures, a touring exhibition from the House of Illustration
Here are the exhibitions and events for your diary:
York Castle Museum
April 21 to 23
York Castle Museum’s 80th Anniversary York Castle Museum celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. The opening weekend will be marked with special events and a display of founder Dr Kirk’s earliest, most unusual and fascinating objects.
July 13 2018 to April 28 2019
A Personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Shoes A touring exhibition from The Civic, Barnsley. More details to follow.
November 23 to December 24
A Victorian Christmas at the Castle Experience the magic of a Victorian Christmas on the world-famous cobbled street of Kirkgate.
Yorkshire Museum and Gardens
Opening on March 24
Yorkshire’s Jurassic World Take an epic journey back through 150 million years of Yorkshire to discover lost giants and the changing worlds they inhabited in this new major exhibition.
From the depths of the deepest seas to the ancient coasts and tropical shallows, see the dinosaurs and sea monsters that once roamed our vast and ever-changing landscapes.
Rediscover our prehistoric predecessors through some of the oldest and most fascinating remains in the region, the latest research and ground-breaking technology as you step into Yorkshire’s Jurassic World.
The Eboracum Roman Festival. Picture: Anthony Chappel-Ross
June 1 to 3
Eboracum Roman Festival
The Legions of the Roman Empire return to York and set up base once more in the York Museum Gardens. The weekend will include military displays, a Roman village and expert speakers talking about the rich Roman history of the city.
June 30
York Proms
Following its successful debut in 2017 under the direction of York soprano Rebecca Newman, the proms will return to the idyllic surroundings of York Museum Gardens.
York Art Gallery
May to September (exact dates to be confirmed)
The Sea Is The Limit
This exhibition expresses the clash of realities in the minds of the migrants as well as the receiving countries. It features artists that have been working on the topic of migration and borders for decades, including Varvara Shavrova, Nidahl Chamekh, Thomas Kilpper, Massimo Ricciardo and Susan Stockwell.
May to September (exact dates to be confirmed)
Friends of York Art Gallery 70th Anniversary The Friends mark their anniversary with an exhibition of the works they have helped buy for York Art Gallery collections, as well as some of their favourite pieces of art.
May 18 to September 30
Aesthetica Art Prize
Hosted by York's Aesthetica Magazine, the Aesthetica Art Prize is a celebration of excellence in art from across the world. It offers both emerging and established artists the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience, as well as furthering their engagement with the international art world.
Opening on June 22
Lucie Rie
An exhibition celebrating the life and ceramics of Dame Lucie Rie (1902-1995), highlighting her button production during the Second World War and considering their connection to the domestic wares for which she became celebrated.
September 29 2018 to January 13 2019
Strata - Rock - Dust - Stars
An exhibition of cutting-edge digital art to coincide with the York Mediale, bringing together leading digital artists from around the world.
October 12 2018 to February 24 2019
The BFG in Pictures
The BFG in Pictures is the first major exhibition of artwork by Quentin Blake for Roald Dahl’s enduring tale in a touring show from House of Illustration.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here