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 one of our winter lectures. Johnny Hannah gives us ‘England, my England’ on Friday 10th January, and we have ‘an evening with Ella Ravilious’, to look forward to on Friday 14th February. 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
Eric Ravilious – Drawn To War: cinema release
A further chance to see Margy Kinmonth's compelling account of the life and career of Eric Ravilious on the big screen. Picturehouse is showing the film across 22 of its cinemas nationwide on 2 September 2024, with Q&A screenings. Ai Weiwei, Grayson Perry, Alan...
INTRODUCTION TO WOOD ENGRAVING
Saturday 27th July 2024 9.45am to 4.30pm Cost £100, including all materials To book click HERE Full details will be emailed to participants after booking. Limited to 8 participants Tuscan Trees by Kate Dicker A one-day practical workshop with printmaker Kate Dicker...
Richard Bawden 1936 – 2024
Everyone at the Fry is saddened by the news that Richard Bawden, artist, illustrator, designer died peacefully at home on May 31st 2024. Richard was a generous supporter of the Fry Art Gallery, and he is well represented in the North West Essex Collection. We are...
Work of the month
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....
Work of the Month: Oak Cottage by Charles Mahoney
Oak Cottage, Oil on Canvas Cyril (known as Charles) Mahoney (1903 - 1968) studied at the Royal College of Art with Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious. The three artists won the commission to paint the murals at Morley College in Southwark between 1928 and 1930....
Work of the Month: My Mother’s House by Chloë Cheese
My Mother's House, Lithograph, 1986. Sheila Robinson was a pupil of Edward Bawden at the Royal College of Art. Encouraged by him, she moved to Great Bardfield in 1953, and immersed herself in the creative life there while raising two small children, Ben and Chloë. She...
Exhibitions
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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
