OXFORD.- This Christmas, Oxford’s North Wall Gallery presents a bewitching world of fairy tales - from Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin to Peter Pan and The Emperor’s New Clothes - as seen by artists and illustrators. Brought to the North Wall by Blackwell’s Rare Books and Zuleika Gallery, the new exhibition entitled Once Upon A Time traces the visual history of fairy tales and magical story-making, through the work of artists and illustrators from the 19th century to the present day. The exhibition runs at the North Wall from 29 November until 5 January and admission is free.

Original prints, drawings and paintings by Sir Joseph Noel Paton, William Heath Robinson, Edward Sorel and EH Shepard are shown alongside work by contemporary artists such as Rachel Gracey and ceramics by Claudia Clare. Characterful illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark, Michael Foreman and Jonathan Langley include favourites such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and the Ugly Duckling.

The show also features around 50 rare books brought by Blackwell’s, many from the golden age of illustration. They include JM Barrie’s 1906 Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens with drawings by Arthur Rackham and a complete collection of Andrew Lang’s ‘rainbow’ Fairy Books. Newer publications include Diana Oliver’s sleeping doll ‘altered’ book and new editions including anthologies of Hans Christian Anderson and Angela Carter.

All works are for sale.

The award-winning North Wall Arts Centre at St Edward’s School, Oxford runs a public programme which attracts over 20,000 visitors a year to more than 100 performances and exhibitions. Alongside its programming, The North Wall produces new plays, programmes work by early-career arts professionals and hosts free, residential arts placements for emerging young artists from all over the country. As well as being home for pupil drama, art and dance activities, it has extended its vision and reach well beyond the School to develop an innovative arts venue for Oxford and a well-established national touring venue for the best contemporary theatre and performance in the UK.