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.
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
New Acquisition – Alan Spencer Green pottery
Ceramics by Alan Spencer Green, Potter, 1932 - 2003 From time to time, the Fry is lucky enough to be given works by North West Essex artists to add to its collection. The latest offering is a wonderful collection of vases, dishes and lidded pots made by Alan Spencer...
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...
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: Wallpapers by Edward Bawden
Quatrefoil and Swan and Grass Wallpapers, designed by Edward Bawden The Great Bardfield artists both undertook commissions to design patterned wallpapers, and liked to decorate their homes with them. Examples of these wallpapers feature prominently in our forthcoming...
Work of the Month: Design for Royal Mail Stamp by Sheila Robinson
Alternative Idea for British Rural Architecture Stamps, Ink and Pencil on Paper 1970. In February 1969 the Royal Mail’s Stamp Advisory Committee discussed the stamp programme for 1970. It was felt that the British architecture series started with Cathedrals in May...
Work of the month: Brick House by Edward Bawden
Brick House, Great Bardfield Watercolour PC350, 1955 Purchased by the Fry Gallery in 1995 with grant aid from the National Art Collections Fund To mark the arrival of the first of this winter's snow in North West Essex, we are featuring this wintry scene from Great...
Exhibitions
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 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
