Upcoming Events

Travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties as Blenheim Palace invites bright young things to a magnificent party celebrating this famously decadent decade.   ‘Let’s Misbehave – Blenheim Palace in the 1920s’ is a fascinating insight into the heady world of the upper classes in a time of great social, artistic and political change.   The 9th Duke of Marlborough and his second wife, American intellectual, Gladys Deacon, were lavish hosts at the baroque Oxfordshire Palace.   Their numerous…

Discover the work of internationally acclaimed American artist Philip Guston (1913–80) in the first solo exhibition of his work in Oxford. The exhibition highlights the importance of working on paper for Guston’s artistic practice, and explores the inspiration he drew from historical art and literature. Gallery 8.

A wide variety of stunning images from the members of OPS will be on display. Black and white, colour, wildlife, still-life, travel, portrait and street photography all covered. The pieces in the exhibition will be available to purchase, with price from £50. Featured photo: 'Behind the Scenes' by Sandra Devaney. See website for museum opening times and admission prices.

A 'history in pictures' of the Second World War from diverse and personal perspectives. Featuring artwork, produced during, and depicting scenes from, the Second World War. With art from professionals and amateurs, from already renowned artists to those who would go on to make a name for themselves in a post-war world. The stories behind these works are as colourful as the pieces themselves - from Vogue fashion illustrators forced to flee Paris to Beano cartoonists that turned their hand…

Free Exhibition open from 28 Mar 2020 Gallery 8 Free Admission Celebrating the art of wood engraving over the last 100 years, this exhibition curated by Anne Desmet RA, will display the most outstanding wood engravings in the Ashmolean, complemented by loans from private collections. Marking the centenary of the Society of Wood Engravers, the exhibition charts the history and global spread of this widely loved art form. Image: Edwina Ellis, 1996. Detail of Waterloo  

Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang (b. 1957) is best-known for his gunpowder explosion events staged in public spaces worldwide and, in particular, for his firework display for the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. This exhibition focuses on the artist’s smaller-scale works, exploring the presence of Chinese culture in his art through the mediums of painting, drawing, and gunpowder on canvas, paper and silk. Learn about the significance behind the materials Cai Guo-Qiang chooses to work with, as…

Since 2008 the University of Winchester has worked with the Stanford In The Vale community to research the archaeology of their village. This project, directed by David Ashby, revealed the origins and growth of the settlement from it's earliest beginnings to the present day. The key findings and objects from the fascinating excavations will be on display in this special exhibition. Free admission but donations welcome. This exhibition runs from 25th January til 25th April 2020

Wantage Country Market is held in the Museum Cafe every Friday morning. The best place to buy fresh homemade goodies such as jams, chutneys and cakes as well as home grown fruit, vegetables and flowers. They also have some crafts, including cards, aprons & knitted baby wear. *Please note this market is not organised by the Museum, the Wantage Country Market is a separate organisation.

This is a special year for the Society of Wood Engravers as they celebrate their Centenary. It was founded in 1920 by artists including Eric Gill, Gwen Raverat, Robert Gibbings, Philip Hagreen and Lucien Pissarro. A break during the war years and then again in the 1970s meant that their annual exhibition ceased for a time, making this their 82nd show. Since their revival in 1984, they have built a reputation for excellence, attracting exhibitors and collectors from around the…

Free Display from 4 Apr–20 Sep 2020 Gallery 29 Free Admission Through a selection of highlights from our collection, explore the visual richness and technical sophistication of 18th- and 19th century Greek embroideries, as well as their debt to the many artistic traditions that flourished around the Mediterranean.

When a shipment containing a highly protected SYPHER CORP suit goes missing in space, it’s up to John Hawk and a team of space marines to collect the asset, transport it across the Galaxy, and uncover what happened to the shipmates of Mama Bear. Following this smash-hit success of WOLF and BOAR, ArtsLab alumnus Lewis Doherty returns with a work-in-progress performance of HAWK, the third and final instalment of the BEAST TRILOGY. Age guidance: 14+

Multi award-winning comedian Simon Munnery reprises his notorious alter ego, the bedsit anarchist Alan Parker Urban Warrior. Once the most radical, now the only radical, Alan returns with the old gold, the old truths, and some new truths (based on the old truths). For over 35 years, Munnery has performed around the world, experimenting with and innovating the stand-up form. In the 1990s, his Alan Parker: Urban Warrior character took the comedy circuit by storm, garnering Munnery his own BBC…

One night, Arthur has an amazing dream about a beautiful pink and green boat with a stripy mast. He can’t wait to tell everyone about it but no one (not even his dog!) is interested. In fact, they don’t even notice that this very same boat is growing on his head, getting larger and larger by the minute! Soon, Arthur is bouncing along the waves in his very own dream boat. Maybe now his family will listen to him! A magical…

Every Wednesday and Thursday through the school holidays, come and explore our family-friendly museum and take part in themed craft activities! Create a work of art together, have a go at some wartime skills, or discover things old and new in one of our nostalgia trails. A perfect afternoon escape for grandchildren and grandparents! April 8th and 9th Navigation – The Toughest Easter Egg Hunt Learn navigation techniques to find the eggs hidden around the museum. April 15th and 16th…

BACH      St John Passion, BWV 245 Daniel Norman Evangelist David Stout Christ Mary Bevan soprano Katie Bray mezzo-soprano Joshua Ellicott tenor Tristan Hambleton bass The Choir of The Queen’s College  Owen Rees conductor Drama and suffering lie at the heart of Bach’s concentrated depiction of Christ’s arrest, rendition and execution, the St John Passion. But this probing, unsettling yet beautiful work is also one of Bach’s most optimistic, ending with a confident look to the future that invites us all, irrespective of faith, to partake in…

BACH      St John Passion, BWV 245 Daniel Norman Evangelist David Stout Christ Mary Bevan soprano Katie Bray mezzo-soprano Joshua Ellicott tenor Tristan Hambleton bass The Choir of The Queen’s College  Owen Rees conductor Drama and suffering lie at the heart of Bach’s concentrated depiction of Christ’s arrest, rendition and execution, the St John Passion. But this probing, unsettling yet beautiful work is also one of Bach’s most optimistic, ending with a confident look to the future that invites us all, irrespective of faith, to partake in…