Family workshop creating a collaborative “Living River Map” through drawing and storytelling about York’s river history and heritage.

Suitable for all.

Join illustrator Adam Gill for an engaging, hands-on workshop exploring the history of our rivers and the many ways they have shaped people's lives over time, through drawing, storytelling and collaborative making.

Together, participants will co-create a large-scale “Living River Map” inspired by the river's rich heritage, historical uses, and the stories connected to it, including how York (which is built on a floodplain) has always lived with water. From trade and transport to industry, recreation, and everyday life, participants will explore how the river has shaped local communities across generations.

Through drawing, mark-making, and visual storytelling, participants will create images inspired by the river itself, its flowing waters, boats, bridges, riverside industries, wildlife, and the people who have lived and worked along its banks throughout history.

As the session develops, everyone's contributions will come together to form a large collaborative artwork — a flowing river map woven from shared stories, historical discoveries, drawings, and creative responses to the river's past and present.

This welcoming and flexible workshop is designed for all abilities and offers an opportunity to connect with local heritage, share memories, and discover the fascinating stories that continue to flow through our river landscape.

What to Expect

Creative drawing, mapping, and storytelling activities

Contribute to a collaborative large-scale artwork

Explore ideas around rivers, flooding, biodiversity, and community care

Take home your own creative pieces

This event is part of the York rivers trail: the rivers and us.

About the York rivers trail

The York rivers trail: the rivers and us is a new trail along the River Ouse connecting people, place and flood resilience. Co-designed with communities, schools and artists, it uses art, storytelling and digital tools to reveal how upstream and downstream are connected - and how nature-based solutions are helping York adapt to a changing climate.

Find out more:

www.york.gov.uk/YorkRiversTrail

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About the Artist

Adam Gill is an illustrator and workshop facilitator with experience creating engaging, inclusive art activities for children and families. His recent collaborative work explores rivers, environmental storytelling, community, and place-based creativity.

Description supplied by the event organiser.