The Arc, Winchester

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The Arc, Winchester Enjoy coffee, cake or a light lunch at The Arc café.
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The place in Winchester to experience live performances, library and community services, art, exhibitions, classes and talks, all together under one roof in the heart of the city. Formerly Winchester Discovery Centre and set in an iconic, Grade II listed building on the city's Jewry Street, The Arc is a partnership between Hampshire Cultural Trust and Hampshire County Council. With upgraded facilities and revamped spaces, we have a joint vision and ambition to develop The Arc as a unique cultural destination. Together we…

Are passionate about culture and community
Offer unique, quality experiences to all
Are vibrant, dynamic and expressive
Champion teamwork, respect and curiosity

The Arc is the place to come together to experience arts, reading and community under one roof, in the heart of Winchester. From live music, comedy and family theatre shows, to high-quality art exhibitions and classes for all ages, The Arc is taking forward the venue's rich history as a live-performance venue and is also home to one of Hampshire's most popular libraries, Winchester Library. The Arc's new digital lab features state-of-the-art iMacs and offers introductory and advanced digital classes for all ages. The updated café has a new menu offering light meals and refreshments throughout the day, while products to accompany our programme of world-class exhibitions are available to browse and buy in The Arc's shop.

Calling all local artists, designers, makers and creatives.Applications are now open for the Wi******er Makers Market: F...
05/10/2026

Calling all local artists, designers, makers and creatives.

Applications are now open for the Wi******er Makers Market: Festive Edition at The Arc on Saturday 12 December.

We're looking for original handmade products, artwork and gifts from local makers to help us create a varied and inspiring festive market for visitors.

Stalls are £35 (including VAT), and applicants will be selected to ensure a good mix of products and makers.

To apply, complete the application form by Sunday 25 October: https://buff.ly/bDRvD4X

05/10/2026

Thinking about learning jewellery making this autumn?

We have two new 5-week courses with local jeweller Sarra Parmee starting in November, both suitable for complete beginners.

RELAXED JEWELLERY MAKING & BEADING
Mondays: 9 November, 16 November, 23 November, 30 November & 7 December
10am-11.30am

A friendly, informal course exploring beading, jewellery design and decorative techniques. Perfect if you're looking for a creative morning, want to learn new skills, or simply enjoy making alongside others.

JEWELLERY MAKING: SOLDERING TECHNIQUES & BEADWORK
Tuesdays: 10 November, 17 November, 24 November, 1 December & 8 December
11am-2pm

Learn the basics of soldering and jewellery making, work with a range of materials, and create your own handmade pieces over five practical daytime sessions.

Both courses take place at The Arc and are led by Hampshire jeweller Sarra Parmee.

Places are limited. Book now via https://buff.ly/Uqe40h0 , over the phone, or here at The Arc.

Day one of arTTable is in full swing!Over 30 artists have taken over The Arc with sketchbooks, works in progress, instal...
02/10/2026

Day one of arTTable is in full swing!

Over 30 artists have taken over The Arc with sketchbooks, works in progress, installations, research, experiments and finished work. It's a rare chance to step inside artists' practices and have conversations that usually stay behind studio doors.

We're here until 4pm today, and it all continues tomorrow, 11am-4pm.
Free entry!

02/10/2026

Wow! What an incredible opening weekend for our new exhibition, Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion 🎥

We were so thrilled to be joined by Vanessa Harryhausen, daughter of Ray Harryhausen and Connor Heaney, Collections Manager at The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation.

From a brilliant private view evening, to a content creator preview and BBC interviews with our team to a jam-packed day full of screenings and Q&As, it was a fantastic opening. ⭐

We’ve welcomed SO many visitors through the doors of this exhibition already, and we can’t wait to welcome more! You can book via our website and you have until 16 February 2027 to catch it.

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Dan Whitehouse + Polly PaulusmaFriday 23 October | 7:30pm | From £14 Songwriting enthusiasts, take note! 🌾 We have a spe...
02/10/2026

Dan Whitehouse + Polly Paulusma

Friday 23 October | 7:30pm | From £14

Songwriting enthusiasts, take note! 🌾 We have a spectacular co-headline show featuring the hauntingly poetic Dan Whitehouse and the critically acclaimed Polly Paulusma. Join us for an evening of exquisite musicianship and storytelling.

Tickets -> https://buff.ly/V22S7si

What happens BEFORE an artwork reaches the gallery wall?This Friday & Saturday, more than 30 artists will be sharing ske...
30/09/2026

What happens BEFORE an artwork reaches the gallery wall?

This Friday & Saturday, more than 30 artists will be sharing sketchbooks, research, unfinished work and studio practice at arTTable.

Rather than presenting finished exhibitions, artists are opening up their processes, inviting visitors to explore the thinking, experimentation and making that happens behind the scenes.

The Arc, Wi******er. 2-3 October, 11am-4pm. Free entry.

It's official... our NEW exhibition, Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion, is now OPEN! 🎥The story of a legendary animator w...
26/09/2026

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.

Thank you so much to everyone from The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation, Vanessa Harryhausen, Connor Heaney and to our fantastic exhibitions team!

Find out more here: https://www.arcwi******er.org.uk/event/ray-harryhausen-myths-motion

24/09/2026

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 🎟️🎬

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24/09/2026

Have you visited the Arc Shop lately? 👀

We’re stocking up with a fantastic new range ahead of Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion, opening Saturday 26th September.
Pop in for books, gifts, and exhibition-inspired treasures. ✨
harryhausen
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Address

Jewry Street
Winchester
SO238SB

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

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