October at the Ashmolean

SPELLBOUND Magic, Ritual & Witchcraft

"Mesmerising" The Times "Bewitching" The Economist

"Irresistibly creepy" The Telegraph

Spellbinding stories, fascinating objects... from crystal balls and magic mirrors to witch bottles and curse poppets, explore the history of magic over eight centuries in this immersive and thought-provoking exhibition.

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Get in Free – Join Online Today Ashmolean Members get in FREE to all exhibitions and enjoy behind-the-scenes activities as well as a 10% discount in the shop, café & restaurant.

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Win a Magical Weekend in Oxfordshire With the Manor Country House Hotel and ila Spa To celebrate our autumn Spellbound exhibition, we’re giving you and a guest the chance to win a magical weekend stay at a stunning hotel near Oxford. The lucky winner, and their guest, will be treated to two nights bed and breakfast, a celebration tea, dinner, a spa session, and a spa goody bag.

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LiveFriday: Spellbound 7pm, Friday 26 October We'll be conjuring up an evening of wizardry, witchcraft and wonder for our next late night LiveFriday. Encounter magicians, mindreaders, illusionists, potions, magic mirrors and more. Tickets are free.

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GALLERY 8 New FREE Exhibitions

Antinous: Boy made god Until 24 February in Gallery 8 A favourite of the Emperor Hadrian, Antinous drowned in the Nile in AD 130 and the emperor founded a city in his honour called Antinoopolis or ‘Antinous City’. This exhibition explores the spread of Antinous’ image and his empire-wide cult as a hero and god.

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No Offence: Exploring LGBTQ+ Histories Until 2 December in Gallery 8 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act, this British Museum touring exhibition explores the ways same-sex desire, love and gender diversity have been expressed culturally throughout history and across cultures.

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Exhibition Shop Online & at the Museum Discover our new range of gifts, books, bags, jewellery, prints, art supplies, fashion, games and much more, all inspired by our new Spellbound exhibition.

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Autumn Events Talks, Tours & Workshops Discover the ancient art of Chinese woodblock printing, follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh, explore the history of magic, learn to make tiles inspired by our Syrian and Iznik collections, and much more this autumn.

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Halloween Half-Term FREE Family Fun Pick up free trails, sketching materials and activity packs every day, and join us on 24 & 25 October for Halloween crafts, gallery hunts, and stories inspired by spooky objects from around the world.

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New Free Display Plum Blossom & Green Willow These exquisitely printed woodblock prints, including a number of new acquisitions, offer a rare insight into Japanese culture and customs of the early 19th century.

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Members' Event From Giacometti to El-Salahi: Curating Modern Art Wed 24 Oct, Booking Essential Dr Lena Fritsch, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, recently joined the Ashmolean from Tate Modern. At this special event she will talk about the joys and challenges of curating an exhibition.

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Ashmolean Museum - "Remarkable" Spellbound Exhibition Now Open

"Irresistibly creepy" The Telegraph "Mesmerising" The Times "Remarkable" The Financial Times NOW OPEN   SPELLBOUND Magic, Ritual & Witchcraft "Bewitching" The Economist Spellbinding stories, fascinating objects... from crystal balls and magic mirrors to witch bottles and curse poppets, explore the history of magic over eight centuries in this immersive and thought-provoking exhibition. Find out more BOOK NOW Get in Free – Join Online Today Ashmolean Members get in FREE to all exhibitions and enjoy behind-the-scenes activities as well as a 10% discount in the shop, café & restaurant. Become a Member Exhibition supported by The Bagri Foundation  |  The Wellcome Trust  |  University of East Anglia The Spellbound Magic Circle  |  The Patrons of the Ashmolean Exhibition Tours 3.30pm every Wednesday Join one of our free guided exhibition tours for an in-depth look at the exhibition. Tours are free with the price of admission and no additional booking is required. Book your ticket Workshops & Talks Find an event Learn more about magical thinking, and the objects on display in the exhibition, at one of our special talks, tours, short courses or workshops. Book your place Curator Talk 11am, Sunday 30 September Join Spellbound curators, Dr Sophie Page and Professor Marina Wallace, to explore the visual culture of magic over a thousand years. From medieval angels and demons to magical objects concealed in modern homes. Book now Exhibition Shop Online & at the Museum Discover our new range of gifts, books, bags, jewellery, prints, art supplies, fashion, games and much more, all inspired by our new Spellbound exhibition. Shop online Ashmolean After Hours Until 8pm Friday 28 September We're keeping our doors open late so you can explore the museum after our normal closing time or enjoy an evening viewing of Spellbound. With music, bars and special talks and workshops. Find out more Rooftop Restaurant New autumn menu Dine on the terrace or gaze out of the huge windows as you enjoy lunch, cocktails, dinner, or afternoon tea, with views of the Oxford spires. View the menu and book your table online today. Book your table Exhibition Catalogue Buy Online Discover how the use of magic is driven by our strongest emotions: the need to be loved, our fear of evil and the desire to protect our homes. Explore the practice of magic in the medieval universe, the idea of the witch, and contemporary ideas about magical thinking. Buy online Also this month Damien Hirst Sculpture The Severed Head of Medusa, 2013 This sculpture by world-renowned British artist and art collector Damien Hirst (b.1965) will be on display in the Greek World Gallery, juxtaposed with a Medusa terracotta tile from c. 540 BC, until 1 Feb 2019. Find out more Baby Ashmoles 10.30am every Friday in September Meet in the galleries for singing and sensory play for babies, and fascinating stories about our objects for adults. For parents and carers with babies under 1. Booking is required. Book your place Christmas Parties Celebrate in style Surprise and delight your guests this Christmas. Discover our range of spaces and packages, perfect for every celebration. We also have a handful of dates remaining to enjoy exclusive use of the Rooftop Restaurant. Get in touch

Coming soon Free exhibitions open from 25 September

Antinous Boy made god A favourite of the Emperor Hadrian, Antinous drowned in the Nile in AD 130 and the emperor founded a city in his honour called Antinoopolis or ‘Antinous City’. This exhibition explores the spread of Antinous’ image and his empire-wide cult as a hero and god. Find out more No Offence Exploring LGBTQ+ Histories Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act, this British Museum touring exhibition explores the ways same-sex desire, love and gender diversity have been expressed culturally throughout history and across cultures. Find out more