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 and will re-open on Sunday 2nd April 2023 with two exhibitions:
Art and Design from the permanent collection, and Interwoven Lives: Marianne Straub, Great Bardfield & Friends.
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 and the pandemic has affected visitor numbers during. 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.
Work of the week
Work of the Week 54: Demonstrating a Machine Gun by Eric Ravilious
1942, watercolour Purchased with assistance from Art Fund. This poignant work was incomplete when the artist died while working as an Official War Artist in Iceland in September 1942. Ravilious was working at RAF Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire in May 1942 while...
Work of the Week 53: the new exhibition
This work of the week is really 'Works of the Week' as it gives a taste of our new exhibition - 'Regeneration'. In particular you will find many fine examples of works by Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and John Aldridge. The exhibition runs until the 30th October 2022,...
Work of the Week 52: Grapes and Peaches (Glass House with Vine) by Edward Bawden
1970s, watercolour After a year's worth of Work of the Week, it is fitting to highlight this fine watercolour from Edward Bawden. As the vine continues to grow in the greenhouse, so The Fry Art Gallery looks forward to Sunday's re-opening in its new, extended...
Exhibitions
Exhibition and Sale taster II
More goodies on offer at the forthcoming Annual Fry Art Gallery Exhibition and Sale. Works by (clockwise from top left): John Bellany RA, David Cass, Hugh Ribbans, Perienne Christian. The sale is in the gallery on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2022, between...
Exhibition and Sale taster
These works by Edward Bawden, RA, Robert Fogell, Jason Gathorne-Hardy, and Kate Giles (clockwise from top left) are among those on offer in the Annual Fry Art Gallery Exhibition and Sale. It will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2022, between 12-4...
The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne: the story of a local and international artist
© The Estate of John Blake 8th May – 30th October 2022 Opening times: Tuesdays to Fridays, Sundays and bank holidays 2 – 5, Saturdays 11 – 5 supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and sponsored by Shirley Parish in memory of Dorothy Staples. Thirteen...
News and Events
Exhibition and Sale taster
These works by Edward Bawden, RA, Robert Fogell, Jason Gathorne-Hardy, and Kate Giles (clockwise from top left) are among those on offer in the Annual Fry Art Gallery Exhibition and Sale. It will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2022, between 12-4...
Rawsthorne Talk Online
Curator Carol Jacobi shines a light on the career of artist Isabel Rawsthorne (1912 – 1992), “a missing link of 20th century art”. “We think of Isabel as … this incredibly glamourous figure … but she challenged that fundamental divide between the model and artist … in...
Chloë Cheese Drawing Workshop
CHLOE CHEESE DRAWING WORKSHOP at Fry Art Gallery Too, 9b Museum Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1BN Friday 9th September 2022 10am to 4.30pm Tea and coffee provided; please bring your own packed lunch. Suitable for all abilities. Parking available nearby in Swan Meadow....
Visiting us
Opening Times
The Gallery is open from 8th May – 30th October 2022.
Admission is free.
Pre-booking is not essential, but you can reserve a timed-entry ticket HERE.
Professor Martin Salisbury of Anglia Ruskin University will conduct tours of the main exhibition at 3pm on the the last Friday of each month.
| 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
