Welcome
The Fry Public Art Gallery was opened in 1987 and houses an impressive number of paintings, prints, illustrations, wallpapers and decorative designs by artists of the 20th century and the present day who have local connections and have made a significant contribution to their field. There is an emphasis on those who for a variety of reasons settled in Great Bardfield between the early thirties of the last century and the death in 1983 of John Aldridge RA who had lived in the village for fifty years.
The Gallery is run by volunteers, both invigilators when it is open to the public and other helpers throughout the year. Please contact us if you would like to become more involved.
The 2022 season has now begun and runs until 30 October.
2022 Exhibitions
Regeneration: highlights from the permanent collection, with works by Ravilious, Bawden, Rothenstein, Aldridge and many more.
The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne: an in-depth look at the work of this celebrated and prolific artist, who made her home in the area for nearly 40 years. The exhibition includes important loans from the Sainsbury Centre and the Royal Opera House.
Pre-booking is not essential, but recommended.
For opening times and booking free admission, please click HERE.
Online Shop
The Fry’s online shop has a range of gifts, from textiles to books.
Please click HERE for more information.
The Fry receives no regular funding and the pandemic has affected visitor numbers during. Should you wish to contribute to our running costs, please use the button below.
Become a member
If you would like to become a Fry Gallery Member you can now do so online. Please choose an option below.
Visit the Collection
Browse the Fry Gallery collection online here.
Art & Artists
Work of the Week 53: the new exhibition
This work of the week is really 'Works of the Week' as it gives a taste of our new exhibition - 'Regeneration'. In particular you will find many fine examples of works by Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and John Aldridge. The exhibition runs until the 30th October 2022,...
Work of the Week 52: Grapes and Peaches (Glass House with Vine) by Edward Bawden
1970s, watercolour After a year's worth of Work of the Week, it is fitting to highlight this fine watercolour from Edward Bawden. As the vine continues to grow in the greenhouse, so The Fry Art Gallery looks forward to Sunday's re-opening in its new, extended...
Work of the Week 51: Spring by Olga Lehmann
scraperboard As Spring arrives, we highlight another work by Olga Lehmann that couldn't be more different to Work of the Week 50. It exudes all the joys of this new season. The Fry holds the full set, one for each season, and highlights her particular skill with this...
Exhibitions
The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne: the story of a local and international artist
© The Estate of John Blake 8th May – 30th October 2022 Opening times: Tuesdays to Fridays, Sundays and bank holidays 2 – 5, Saturdays 11 – 5 supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and sponsored by Shirley Parish in memory of Dorothy Staples. Thirteen...
REGENERATION: Works from the Permanent Collection
Two Women Sitting in a Garden, Eric Ravilous, watercolour, 1932. Purchased with assistance from National Heritage Memorial Fund and the V and A Purchase Fund 8th May – 30th October 2022 Opening times: Tuesdays to Fridays, Sundays and bank holidays 2 – 5, Saturdays 11...
The Fry at Wolfson College
The Art of Great Bardfield
The visual legacy of a small Essex village
Wolfson College Cambridge, Barton Road CB3 9BB
23 January – 20 March 2022
News
Fry Talk on Isabel Rawsthorne with Carol Jacobi
photo: John Blake Friends Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden Friday 10th June 7.30pm £6 (£4 National Art Pass) BOOK HERE An accompaniment to The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne. Dr Carol Jacobi is Curator of British Art at Tate Britain. She has taught, written...
Music at The Fry: Alan Rawsthorne and Constant Lambert
Isabel Rawsthorne was inextricably linked to classical music and to composers and musicians in particular. She married Constant Lambert, composer, conductor and first music director of the Royal Ballet, in 1947. Following his death in 1951, she married the composer...
Rawsthorne Conservation Completed
The Fry has been fortunate to have received a number of works by Isabel Rawsthorne from the estate of Warwick Llewellyn Nicholas, who was brother to Isabel.
Visiting us
Opening Times
The Gallery is open from 8th May – 30th October 2022.
Admission is free.
Pre-booking is not essential, but you can reserve a timed-entry ticket HERE.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 2pm – 5pm |
| Wednesday | 2pm – 5pm |
| Thursday | 2pm – 5pm |
| Friday | 2pm – 5pm |
| Saturday | 11am – 5pm |
| Sunday and bank holidays | 2pm – 5pm |
Contact us
We would be delighted to hear from you and you can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The links are in the footer below.
Location
