Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 November FREE, no need to book
Come and join us for a dazzling weekend of activities, talks and craft for all ages and find out more about how Oxford’s religious communities celebrate the festival of light. Enjoy food on the forecourt, dance and performance, live music, talks and tours, meditation, hands-on crafts and more.
Imagining the Divine Art and the Rise of World Religions
Why do we think of Jesus Christ with a beard? Or Buddha as cross-legged? Today, the pictures people conjure when they think of the world’s major religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism– are distinctive and immediately recognisable. But two thousand years ago that was not the case.
"Pushes us back towards a far more fundamental level of religious imagining" – Rowan Williams
"Unmissable... a fascinating journey through the art of religions from India to Ireland" – Mary Beard
Christmas Cards & Shopping
Visit our shop to find a beautiful range of Christmas cards inspired by the Ashmolean's collections. Our Museum shop is open every day until 23 December, or visit us online. All purchases support the Museum.
Contemporary Chinese artist Qu Leilei (b. 1951) was a founding member of the avant-garde ‘Stars Group’ in the late 1970s, and immigrated to England in 1985. This exhibition shows his progression from calligraphic collage to an exploration of a new vocabulary of ink language blending lively brushwork with western technique.
A week-long celebration to highlight and thank our Members for their vital support and for being a part of the Ashmolean's story. Members can enjoy a programme of exclusive events, activities, offers and discounts.
We are excited to announce the availability of a new exclusive event space, for a limited time only. This uniquely flexible and contemporary gallery space on the lower ground floor is perfect for evening dinners, daytime meetings, launch events and presentations, or even a Christmas party.
Receive a 10% discount on venue hire for events held in November and December when you mention this newsletter at the time of booking.
Listen to music in the galleries, explore Jewish treasures, be inspired by Japanese ceramics, and discover Van Gogh, St Edmund, Celtic embroidery and much more this month.
Hunt for flowers, bugs and skulls at our Saturday Ashventure on 11 November, with stories, gallery hunts, games and crafts. Little Ashmoles (aged 3–5) can also join us this month for a Minibeast Feast every Thursday morning this month.
Enjoy festive drinks, canapés and Christmas music, and join curators as they muse on objects in our collections. Open to all Ashmolean Members and their guests.
Living with gods: peoples, places and worlds beyond
Until 8 April 2018
Beliefs in spiritual beings and worlds beyond nature are characteristic of all human societies, through time and across the world. This expansive exhibition reflects on how people believe through everyday objects of faith.
Much of the most iconic 20th-century design was shaped by the arrival of Jewish émigré designers from continental Europe. See the classic designs that have been embraced by generations.
