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 Fry Art Gallery is now closed for the winter.
We re-open on Sunday 6th April 2025, with exhibitions celebrating our 40th anniversary.
In the mean time, we look forward to seeing you at our annual sale on the weekend of 16th and 17th November, or at one of our winter lectures, by Tim Knox on Friday 8th November, by Johnny Hannah on Friday 10th January, and by Ella Ravilious on Friday 14th February. More details are on this website under ‘Exhibitions’ and ‘News’.
Film by Thomas Völker © 2022
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. 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.
News and Events
Fry Gallery Lecture series: Ella Ravilious
Eric Ravilious, an evening with Ella Ravilious A talk by Ella Ravilious Friday 14th February 2025 at 7.30pm Quaker Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1AA Tickets £6.00 via this link, or on the door Eric Ravilious was a designer, painter, printmaker, and...
Fry Gallery Lecture series: Jonny Hannah
ENGLAND, MY ENGLAND an outsider looking in at all things quintessentially English A talk by Jonny Hannah Friday 10th January 2025 at 7.30pm Quaker Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1AA Tickets £6.00 via this link, or on the door Jonny was born in...
Fry Gallery Lecture series: Tim Knox FSA
Royal Patrons and Collectors in the Twentieth Century, from King Edward VII to Queen Elizabeth II A talk by Tim Knox FSA, Director of the Royal Collection Friday 8th November 2024 at 7.30pm Quaker Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden CB10 1AA Tickets £6.00 via...
Work of the month
Work of the Month: The Potato Field by Eric Ravilious
The Potato Field, Watercolour PC3037 on loan from a private collector Only four weeks left to enjoy a number of Eric Ravilious's delicate watercolours, along with works by fellow artists from Great Bardfield, before the Fry closes for the season at the end of October....
Work of the Month: Still Life with Anemones and Fruit by Charles Mahoney
Still Life with Anemones and Fruit, Oil on Board Charles Mahoney (1903 - 1968) found his own earthly paradise at Oak Cottage at Wrotham in Kent, and spent the greater part of his life there. The apples and plums depicted in this still life were likely the fruits of...
Work of the Month: Combine in a Cornfield by Bernard Cheese
Combine in a Cornfield, Lithograph, 1961 Bernard Cheese met fellow student Sheila Robinson at the Royal College of Art (RCA), and they married in 1951. Both artists worked on Festival of Britain murals alongside their art-school tutor and close friend Edward Bawden....
Exhibitions
Fry Art Gallery Annual Sale – 16 & 17 November 2024
We're excited to announce the 2024 edition of the Fry Art Gallery Annual Sale. It will take place as usual over two days, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November, from 12 noon until 4 pm on both days. We are busily assembling the works for sale, and look forward to...
Great Bardfield and Beyond: A Working Landscape
7th April to 27th October 2024 Great Bardfield and Beyond: A Working Landscape Great Bardfield was described by Olive Cook as 'paradisial' in her book about the North West Essex Artists. But Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious, who initially settled there in 1931 had a...
Charles Mahoney RA: The Pleasures of Life
6th July to 27th October 2024 in the Gibson Room Charles Mahoney RA: The Pleasures of Life Charles (Cyril) Mahoney (l903-68) has been largely forgotten and this exhibition offers a reassessment. Mahoney was a close friend of Bawden and Ravilious who first met while...
Visiting us
Opening Times
The Gallery is open in 2024 from Sunday 7th April to Sunday 27th October.
Admission is free. Step-free access is available.
| 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
