At the heart of Preston is the magnificent Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library. Now freshly refurbished at a cost of £19 million, it has reopened with a major cultural attraction – the Wallace & Gromit exhibition!
As soon as you step into the Harris, you’re struck by its grandeur. The soaring ceilings, intricate detailing, and sense of history are palpable. You are immediately drawn to the UK’s longest Foucault Pendulum, a 35metre long precision instrument to demonstrate the rotation of the earth.
We decided to start on the top floor with Wallace and Gromit and work our way down.
The exhibition isn’t just a collection of props; it’s a deep dive into the creative genius behind these beloved characters. You get a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous process of stop-motion animation, a craft that feels almost magical in its execution. We saw original storyboards, character designs, and the incredible detail that goes into crafting every single frame.
But the real showstoppers, of course, are the models themselves. You can marvel at the tiny expressions on their faces, the subtle creases in their clothing, and the ingenious mechanisms that allow them to move.
My particular favourite was the array of contraptions and vehicles. From the sidecar of their motorbike to Wallace’s ingenious “Autochef” machine, the sheer imagination on display is astounding. The exhibition does a brilliant job of showcasing the humour and heart that are so central to their adventures, from “A Grand Day Out” to “The Wrong Trousers” and beyond.
Beyond Wallace & Gromit, the Harris Museum itself offers a delightful array of art, history, and natural science. It’s easy to spend a good few hours wandering its halls. A particular highlight was a gallery with an installation called ‘Ocen Mother’ by a South Indian artist with assistance from local South Indian women. Also, a gallery dedicated to the Horrocks cotton family was a fascinating look at the not too distant past. All this is an interesting display of Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity, just across town from County Hall where Reform currently hold power.
Along with these highlights, the art collection is varied and interesting and currently there is a beautiful collection of glass perfume bottles. The building also houses a library which was being well used while we were visiting.
All in all, a cracking day out and how could we leave Preston without visiting the cheese stall in the market just down the road!
Sounds really good Peter -!Maggie and Inwill go there soon. Between 1976 and 1978 I did a computing course BCS part 1 at the then Harris College.