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 open from Sunday 6th April to Sunday 26th October 2025.
The Gallery is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. We are delighted to have as guest curator of the exhibition in the main gallery Ella Ravilious, with a celebration of art and design depicting or made for the domestic space ‘Finding a Home at the Fry’.
In the Gibson Room, Alan Powers and Neil Jennings present a fascinating insight into the murals work done by the Bardfield artists, with many rarely seen pieces.
Don’t miss Alan Powers’ lecture ‘Finding the lost murals of the Bardfield artists’ on Friday 25th April at 7.30pm. More details and tickets are on this website under ‘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
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Work of the month
Work of the Week 47: Christmas Greetings by Walter Hoyle
etching Hoyle's image is a quirky and ebullient depiction of Santa Claus driving his present-laden sleigh through the night sky on Christmas Eve. In Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (also known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas”), 8...
Work of the Week 46: Ballymoss, Ascot Racecourse by Kenneth Rowntree
lithograph, 1958 Ballymoss (1954 - 1979) was an 16-hands-high Irish thoroughbred racehorse. He is pictured here winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in 1958 by three lengths and was retired at the end of that season. He ran in 17 races,...
Work of the Week 45: Map of Great Bardfield by Richard Bawden
mixed media (pen and ink, linocut on paper) 2005/6 Nothing perhaps exemplifies the richness of talent that had been present in Great Bardfield more than this simple drawing by Richard Bawden. Great Bardfield, with cottages dating back to the 14th century, was and...
Exhibitions
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Visiting us
Opening Times
The Gallery will open in 2025 from Sunday 6th April to Sunday 26th 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
