Gallery Extension Green-Lit

Having already raised all but £15,000 of the estimated build cost of £420,000, The Fry Art Gallery Society intends to put the proposed construction of the extension out to tender by the end of January 2021. Planning consent for the project has already been granted.

We continue to seek donations from members, friends and Charitable Trusts to reach the full £420,000. The proposals – once completed – will eliminate the shortcomings of the present gallery by providing step-free and child friendly access to all parts of the gallery, a significantly larger, separate, Archive Centre, additional exhibition space, an accessible toilet and a dedicated fire escape.

The Archive Centre will enable our administration and care-of-collection work to be carried out while the gallery is open, thus allowing the opening hours to be increased. It is intended that a contract will be entered into by the end of February 2021 and construction completed by Christmas 2021.

DONATE HERE

ART AND ARTIST HIGHLIGHTS

Work of the Week 6: Hoy’s Cart by Paul Beck

Travelling just beyond Sewards End, now a suburb of Saffron Walden, towards Radwinter, a sign at the edge of a track signifies Hoy’s Farm.

Work of the Week 5: Figure Studies by Duffy Ayers

This drawing, which was presented to the Gallery by Michael Rothenstein, to whom she had been married, is rare because her reputation and work is mostly based on oil paintings of figures and interiors.

Work of the Week 4: Self Portrait, Kinlochbervie by John Bellany

“It’s an ill wind that blows no good” runs the old idiom, and it was the wind of illness that blew John Bellany (1942-2013), a redoubtable Scot, to Saffron Walden in 1990.

Work of the Week 3: A Card at Christmas by Edward Bawden

We have chosen this deliberately because the sending of greetings at Christmas time, which gathered momentum in the 1840s under Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s encouragement, were not necessarily religious in their purpose but also to exchange greetings during the winter months, at a time when Christmas had yet to become the widely held celebration that it is today.

Work of the Week 2: The Thatcher by Kate Chapman

Kate Chapman (née Ablett) (1926 - 2002), met her husband, the artist George Chapman (1908 -1993), whilst she was a student at the Norwich School of Art in 1946.

Work of the Week 1: Brick House, Great Bardfield by Ronald Maddox

Read “The White House” and most minds turn to the famous Presidential office in Washington DC.

First Prize

Bernard Cheese 1925 -2013

Under the Sun

Duffy Ayers 1915 - 2017

Two Women Sitting in a Garden

Eric Ravilious 1903 - 1942

Geraniums and Carnations

Eric Ravilious 1903 - 1942

Rocking Horse, Seashore

Olive Cook 1912 - 2002

Welsh Coast

John Bolam 1922 - 2009

Threshing in the Snow

Thomas Hennell 1903 - 1945

Cat on Chair

Sheila Robinson 1925 - 1988

Bamboo Hall

Richard Bawden NEAC b, 1936

My Mother’s House

Chloe Cheese b. 1952

Still Life with Mandolin

Robert MacBryde 1913 - 1966

Cemetery in Enna, Siciliy

Walter Hoyle 1922 - 2000

Jug by Charlotte Bawden

Charlotte Bawden 1902 - 1970

Bird and Sun

Michael Rothenstein 1908 - 1993

Adam with Pram

Kenneth Rowntree 1915 - 1977

Masked Figures with Horse

Robert Colquhoun 1914 - 1962

Burning Fields

Keith Vaughan 1912 - 1977

Silver Birch

John Aldridge RA 1905 - 1983

Brighton Pier

Edward Bawden CBE RA1903 - 1989

VIEW THE FULL COLLECTION

EXHIBITIONS

North West Essex Potters (online)

Online Exhibition (published 18th September 2020)

Previous Exhibition: Random Spectacular

Please note that this exhibition has now closed due to government restrictions.

Previous Exhibition: Walter Hoyle – A Versatile Artist

Please note that this exhibition has now closed due to government restrictions.

EVENTS

The Fry Art Gallery Annual Sale 2020 Cancelled

Unfortunately, this year's Annual Sale has been cancelled due to the latest Government restrictions. The…

NEWS

ONLINE SHOP NOW OPEN

You can now purchase books and merchandise from The Fry online. We have a dedicated 'shop…

Hoyle Family Visit

The Fry Art Gallery was delighted to welcome Walter Hoyle’s widow, Denise, and their daughter,…

Conservation Grant Received

We are delighted to report that we have received a grant of £4,000 from the…

Edward Bawden at Home Film

Robjn Cantus, who publishes the blog Inexpensive Progress, has made a number of short videos…

ABOUT US

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.

To download a copy of The Fry Art Gallery Society’s Trustees Report and Accounts, please click below:

2019

2018

2017

Become A Fry Gallery Member

PLAN YOUR VISIT

OPENING TIMES

To comply with the latest Government guidelines, the Gallery will close from 5th November. Any pre-booked tickets beyond that date are no longer valid. The Gallery will re-open from April 2021.

CONTACT US

We would love to hear from you so please get in touch.

01799 513779
(24hrs answerphone)

info@fryartgallery.org

LOCATION

THE FRY ART GALLERY
Castle Street,
Saffron Walden,
Essex,
CB10 1BD

GETTING HERE

The Gallery is a few yards down a pathway leading from Castle Street to Bridge End Gardens, a Victorian landscaped garden open to the public. (We have provision for wheelchair users – please ask one of our invigilators.)

Rail
The nearest railway station is two miles away at Audley End (on the Liverpool Street to Cambridge line). There are hourly buses to and from Audley End Station (visitors might like to make their own inquiries at Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre, 01799 524002). There are usually taxis waiting at the station.

Car
Cambridge is 15 miles to the north; London 54 miles to the south and the M11 motorway passes nearby. The nearest car park is at Swan Meadow (CB10 1DA) and the main Gallery is a 10 minute walk away. Leave the car park by the pedestrian exit and walk up to the High Street. Turn left and then take the second road on the right, which is Castle Street. The main Gallery is on the left hand side of the road.