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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR VISIT:
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.
Because we have less space this year we cannot show the usual range of works by Bawden and Ravilious, (which will return next year), but two new and innovative exhibitions bringing significant new material to the Gallery are running concurrently: A Singular Obsession and Lithographic Fever – see details below.
EXHIBITIONS END ON SUNDAY 31st OCTOBER.
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.
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 began on the 12th July, with the fund-raising target in sight.
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 43: Rialto Bridge by Edwin Smith
photograph Within the collection at the Fry Art Gallery are many photographs. Trained as an architect, Edwin Smith (1912 – 1971) was a prolific photographer and artist, and in later years lived at the Coach House, Windmill Hill, Saffron Walden with his second wife,...
Work of the Week 42: Caravans by Eric Ravilious
watercolour, 1936 These two wagons, supposedly 'fever wagons' from the Boer War or earlier, were purchased by Eric and Tirzah Ravilious after they were shipped back to Newhaven. One can only speculate on the exact nature of their previous use, perhaps for isolation...
Work of the Week 41: The Bull by Michael Rothenstein
linocut, 1956 'This image was based on a memory of a bull being driven down the High Street at Great Bardfield. The street is so simplified here that it is unrecognisable. There used to be a cottage with three dormer windows... I used sand and gravel impressed into...
Exhibitions
Annual Exhibition and Sale 20/21 November 2021
Saturday 20th November 12 noon - 4 pm Sunday 21st November 12 noon - 4 pm The ever-popular exhibition and sale returns following a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. Framed and unframed works will be available to purchase, in person only, by artists such as John...
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.
News
Ravilious Apron now in stock
Autumn Fruits Apron is now in stock - an ideal stocking-filler for the Christmas chef. This is the Autumn decoration commissioned for publicity for The Cornhill magazine. Exclusive to The Fry Art Gallery, it is printed on 100% unbleached half panama cotton by Stuart...
Annual Exhibition and Sale 20/21 November 2021
Saturday 20th November 12 noon - 4 pm Sunday 21st November 12 noon - 4 pm The ever-popular exhibition and sale returns following a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. Framed and unframed works will be available to purchase, in person only, by artists such as John...
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...
Visiting us
Opening Times
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.
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
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Location
