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The Arc, Winchester

@arcwinch

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The place in Winchester to experience live performances, library services, exhibitions, workshops and talks, in the heart of the city.

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It's official... our NEW exhibition, Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion, is now OPEN! 🎥

The story of a legendary animator who changed the course of film history, this special exhibition has been created for The Arc and drawn from the incredible archive of The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation.

Harryhausen’s innovation in stop motion had a lasting effect on viewers and filmmakers alike. His creatures – the skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts (1963), Minaton from Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) and Medusa from Clash of the Titans (1981) - were animated in a way that had never been seen before. Tributes from filmmakers such as Peter Jackson and Aardman Animations, who cite Harryhausen’s importance, also feature in the exhibition.

Together with daughter, Vanessa Harryhausen, whose personal contributions will be found throughout the exhibition, we’ve selected over 70 objects to bring to this exhibition. They include paintings by artists who were early influencers on Harryhausen’s art and storytelling. Through sketches and original models, the exhibition highlights the inventiveness, incredible artistry and resulting awe of Harryhausen’s career.

📆 This fantastic show is open until 16 February 2027 in The Gallery at The Arc.

#RayHarryhausen #WinchesterArt #ArtExhibitionWinchester #StopMotion #CinemaHistory by @arcwinch

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✨ Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to the preview of Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion at The Arc in Winchester and what an inspiring experience it was.

@ray.harryhausen
@arcwinch

To see Ray’s work up close, from original models and sketches to the incredible artistry behind some of cinema’s most iconic creatures, was genuinely magical. There’s something extraordinary about seeing the craftsmanship, imagination and sheer inventiveness that went into bringing these mythical worlds to life. 🐉🎬

Ray’s influence on filmmaking is impossible to miss, and this exhibition is a wonderful reminder of just how groundbreaking his work was and how much it continues to inspire artists, animators and filmmakers today.

If you love film, animation, creature design, special effects, mythology, or simply extraordinary creativity, put this on your must-visit list.

📍 The Arc, Winchester
📅 26 September 2026 – 16 February 2027

#rayharryhausen #stopmotionanimation #stopmotion #creatureart #filmmakers by @arcwinch

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Thank you to @arcwinch and @ray.harryhausen for inviting us to the preview of Myth in the Making ✨

What an absolute delight to explore the archive of Ray Harryhausen’s legendary work. We are such big fans!

As the most celebrated stop-motion animator and interpreter of classical mythologies in 20th-century cinema, his influence is huge, and he worked on many of our favourite ever films.

Sadly, I didn’t get to walk out with Bubo the Owl perched on my arm or the bronze Talos under my wing, but it was such an honor to stand in their presence 🦉⚔️ taken in The Arc, Winchester by @arcwinch

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion at The Arc, Winchester.

Bringing together original models, sketches, paintings and the tools of Harryhausen’s trade, the exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the imagination and meticulous craftsmanship behind some of cinema’s most memorable creatures. From the skeleton warriors of Jason and the Argonauts to the mechanical owl Bubo from Clash of the Titans, it was wonderful to see these icons of stop-motion animation up close.

I was particularly struck by the personal memories contributed by Ray’s daughter, Vanessa Harryhausen, which add another layer to the exhibition, bringing both the objects and their creator vividly to life.

A brilliant exhibition for film, art and animation lovers—and anyone interested in the ingenuity involved in creating extraordinary worlds by hand. As a historian and archaeologist I was delighted to so clearly see the classical references used in Harryhausen’s work and have been left with a new appreciation for his artistry and storytelling.

📍 @arcwinch
📅 26 September 2026–16 February 2027
🎬 @ray.harryhausen

Discover more on my blog tomorrow (see 🔗 in bio)

#RayHarryhausen #MythsInMotion #StopMotionAnimation #FilmHistory #Winchester by @arcwinch

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RAY HARRYHAUSEN: MYTHS IN MOTION

What an experience.

Yesterday finally got to step into the world of Ray Harryhausen at The Arc, Winchester — surrounded by original creatures, models, artwork, sketches and pieces from the archive that helped bring some of cinema's greatest mythical worlds to life.

From Jason and the Argonauts and the legendary skeletons, to Talos, Medusa, Pegasus, Mighty Joe Young and so much more, seeing these creations in person gives you a completely different appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the screen.

One of the most special parts of the day was meeting Vanessa Harryhausen and hearing about her father's work and legacy. Seeing the surviving original Mighty Joe Young model up close was also something I'll never forget.
There was SO much more in the exhibition that I couldn't fit into one carousel — this is only a glimpse.

Ray's work didn't just create monsters and myths. It inspired generations of filmmakers, artists and dreamers, and you can still feel that influence today.

The final frame was never really the end.
Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this extraordinary collection to Winchester.

Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion
The Arc, Winchester
26 September 2026 – 16 February 2027

#RayHarryhausen #MythsInMotion #Harryhausen #StopMotion #JasonAndTheArgonauts taken in The Arc, Winchester by @arcwinch

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🔷 How can it be just two weeks until Winchester Poetry Day 2026?

👩🏾‍💻 This is your reminder that we are once again livestreaming the Winchester Poetry Prize Ceremony, so if you live further afield you can grab a cuppa and watch the events unfold from the comfort of your sofa.

It's free to attend, and everyone is invited - from Winchester to the world!

If you would prefer to be in a room with some fellow poetry lovers - you can! There's lots going on at @arcwinch for Winchester Poetry Day, take a look 👀

If you're joining us in person, public transport is a great choice:
🚂 We are under an hour from London on the train
🛼 The venue is a 10min walk from Winchester train station, and 15mins from Winchester bus station) and even quicker on rollerskates.

With many thanks to our Winchester Poetry Day sponsors, especially @newburybs for supporting the livestreaming at Winchester Poetry Prize Ceremony this year, and the mighty team at @1997.events for making the magic happen. by @arcwinch

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I had the honour of attending the private viewing of the new exhibition at the @arcwinch - 'Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion" tonight with my friend @elliemay_art .

We got some insight into his practice and inspiration. We also heard from his daughter, Vanessa, about growing up with bronze sculptures, movie sets, and witnessing her dad meticulously create mythological creatures. I feel like we all came from the event feeling closer to Ray Harryhausen - his personality shone through, in a way I didn't expect!

The accompanying 'Harryhausen is my Hero' exhibition features the works of Harryhausen's fans, including our individual pieces, which we created while visiting Winchester a couple months ago.

As always, @arcwinch exhibitions are beautifully curated. I'd highly recommend a visit if you're near Winchester. There's a fantastic library and cafe on sight so you can make a day out of the trip!

#rayharryhausen #mythsinmotion taken in The Arc, Winchester by @arcwinch

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Sneak preview of Ray Harryhausen @ray.harryhausen exhibition @arcwinch, opening tomorrow #stopmotionanimation #creaturefeature taken in The Arc, Winchester by @arcwinch

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First look inside the Harryhausen exhibition at @arcwinch in collaboration with the @ray.harryhausen Foundation!🤫🎬

📍WHERE: The Arc, Winchester
⏰ WHEN: 26 Sept 2026 - 16 Feb 2027
🎟️ TICKETS: adults £5.45 (under 16s go for free!)

Don’t miss it!

#rayharryhausen #stopmotionanimation #cinemahistory #specialeffect #film taken in The Arc, Winchester by @arcwinch

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Today I saw the new Ray Harryhausen exhibition ‘Myths in Motion’ at @arcwinch

It was full of iconic character design and showcases his pioneering stop motion filmmaking.

I really loved seeing the 19th century paintings that hung in his office and inspired him, and to also see the filmmakers of today paying homage. Spielberg, Del Toro, Wes Anderson, Tim Burton, James Cameron, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan and Peter Jackson all credit Harryhausen with inspiring their work.

Thank you so much @arcwinch for the preview and to @ray.harryhausen for such an incredible archive!

It’s on until 16th February and is a real tribute to beautiful analogue storytelling ✨

#stopmotion #characterdesign #mythsinmotion #rayharryhausen taken in Winchester, Hampshire by @arcwinch

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Attention!

I have just been to a preview of RAY HARRYHAUSEN: MYTHS IN MOTION at The Arc in Winchester today, and it was incredible.

The show is beautifully curated and features an amazing combination of original concept work and models including the original TROG from Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, who has never been publicly displayed before!

Huge thanks to The Arc for the invitation.
Don't miss this exhibition!

Let me know if you decide to go and I'll try to meet you there!

RAY HARRYHAUSEN: MYTHS IN MOTION
The Arc, Winchester
26th September - 16th Feb 2027 by @arcwinch

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We are so thrilled to have Vanessa Harryhausen, daughter of Ray Harryhausen and Connor Heaney, Collections Manager at the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation here with us ready for the opening of, Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion! 🎬

Join Vanessa, Connor, Mike Hankin & John Walsh on Saturday 26 September at our opening day event, Hooray for Harryhausen!

At 3pm, we’ll be showing a screening of The Valley of Gwangi, followed by a special Q&A! So get your questions at the ready as there are TWO fantastic prizes up for grabs for the best questions asked during the Q&A.

On Saturday, we’ll also be showing:
📽️10am: Sinbad & the Eye of the Tiger

& at 12pm hosting a children’s Harryhausen inspired air dry foam clay model workshop.

Book tickets via our link in bio now! We can’t wait to see you there 🎟️🎬

#thearcwinchester
#winchester #rayharryhausen taken in The Arc, Winchester by @arcwinch

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