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.
Please note:
From Tuesday July 20th, booking will no longer be necessary. Please note that because the Gallery is small, numbers are limited to twelve at any one time, and we prefer face
coverings to be worn to protect visitors and staff, unless exempt.
During 2021, all exhibitions will take place nearby at The Fry Art Gallery Too in Museum Street, Saffron Walden, adjacent to the main gates of Saffron Walden Museum.
Gallery Extension Update
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors, we are very pleased to announce that building work on the long-awaited new archive area and exhibition space at the Fry Art Gallery will begin in the coming weeks, as we have nearly reached our fund-raising target.
Please click HERE for more information.
If you can join our efforts to close the gap and reach our fundraising total, we would warmly welcome your contribution.
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 33: Tilbury Juxta Clare by Keith Vaughan
oil, 1970 The reason for this choice is to celebrate the pictures that have been given to the Gallery by generous people who want to share their pictures with a wider group of enthusiasts. Not only is this picture valuable in itself, but the donation is an affirmation...
Work of the Week 32: Liverpool Street Station by Edward Bawden
linocut, 1962 Liverpool Street Station was opened in 1874 as the London terminus for the East Anglian lines to Norwich and King’s Lynn, operated by the Great Eastern Railway. It was always conceived as a dual-level station, with the Metropolitan underground line...
Work of the Week 31: Sample of moquette by Marianne Straub
fabric sample, 1966 - 1970 Not all of the works in our Collection are finished artworks. Moquettes such as this example, with a simple linear pattern, were used increasingly in the 1970s and 80s. This design features a geometric intercrossing 'block' motif of navy,...
Exhibitions
A Singular Obsession – celebrating the centenary of Michael Ayrton
Michael Ayrton (1921 – 1975) was a precocious, individual, productive and passionate artist…
Lithographic Fever: ‘Britain’s Mid-Century Print Boom’
In 1950, the artist Michael Rothenstein wrote to the Arts Council from his home in Great Bardfield, Essex.
North West Essex Potters (online)
Online Exhibition (published 18th September 2020) The Fry Art Gallery has had for some years a small collection of the work of studio potters who have lived and worked in North West Essex. Recently this has been developed and two new ground-breaking potters, Ian Auld...
News
Fry Gallery Autumn Lecture
As a companion piece to one of the current exhibitions, A Singular Obsession, Dr Justine Hopkins, art historian and step-granddaughter of Ayrton, will deliver a lecture entitled : A Traveller in Space and Time: Michael Ayrton, Image Maker. Friday 24th September 8pm...
VIDEO: Gallery Walk-Through of Ayrton Exhibition
Join us for a walk-through of the current Goldmark sponsored exhibition at the Fry Art Gallery, A Singular Obsession – Celebrating the Centenary of Michael Ayrton, with Dr. Justine Hopkins. Hopkins is a writer and freelance lecturer in Art History, and also the...
Ravilious and the New Online Shop
This Ravilious handkerchief is just one of the many items available in our online shop. Books, tea-towels, cushion covers and a host of other items are available to purchase. SHOP
Visiting us
Opening Times
From Tuesday July 20th, booking will no longer be necessary. Please note that because the Gallery is small, numbers are limited to twelve at any one time, and we prefer face
coverings to be worn to protect visitors and staff, unless exempt.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2pm – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday and Bank holidays 2pm – 5pm
Contact us
If you have visited us recently, please take part in our brief ’10 things we’d like to know…’. CLICK HERE
We would be delighted to hear from you and also consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Location
