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.
Please note:
From Tuesday July 20th, booking will no longer be necessary. Please note that because the Gallery is small, numbers are limited to twelve at any one time, and we prefer face
coverings to be worn to protect visitors and staff, unless exempt.
During 2021, all exhibitions will take place nearby at The Fry Art Gallery Too in Museum Street, Saffron Walden, adjacent to the main gates of Saffron Walden Museum.
Gallery Extension Update
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors, we are very pleased to announce that building work on the long-awaited new archive area and exhibition space at the Fry Art Gallery will begin in the coming weeks, as we have nearly reached our fund-raising target.
Please click HERE for more information.
If you can join our efforts to close the gap and reach our fundraising total, we would warmly welcome your contribution.
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.
Art & Artists
Work of the Week 30: Tea at Furlongs by Eric Ravilious
1939, watercolour Anyone who has managed to find Furlongs within the fields of the South Downs will understand why it inspired Eric Ravilious so much. The views and interiors at Furlongs - the home of his friend, the designer Peggy Angus - became the subject of...
Work of the Week 29: The Walled Garden by Keith Vaughan
lithograph, 1951 ‘The Walled Garden’ is one of two works by Keith Vaughan featuring in Lithographic Fever, currently at The Fry Art Gallery Too. Both were published in 1951, but while ‘Dancers’ looks forward to Vaughan’s latter assemblies of male nudes – creating a...
Work of the Week 28: Morris Dancing at Thaxted by Walter Hoyle
poster, 1964 Walter Hoyle’s poster celebrating the Morris Dancing at Thaxted perfectly captures the colour and exuberance of the age-old tradition of this English folk dance. In late May or early June, the Thaxted Morris Men perform their version of the Abbots Bromley...
Exhibitions
Random Spectacular
Please note that this exhibition has now closed due to government restrictions.
Walter Hoyle – A Versatile Artist
Please note that this exhibition has now closed due to government restrictions.
News
Michael Ayrton: Centenary Celebrations
2021 is the centenary of Michael Ayrton’s birth. Among the exhibitions in 2021 is A Singular Obsession - celebrating the centenary of Michael Ayrton, here at The Fry. Ayrton’s Minotaur is a striking denizen of the Barbican’s St Alphage Garden, while the legendary...
New Biography of Isabel Rawsthorne (Lambert) Published
OUT OF THE CAGE: The Art of Isabel Rawsthorne A major new biography, written by Dr Carol Jacobi, has been published (18 February) by The Estate of Francis Bacon Publishing, supported by Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation Monaco, in association with Thames & Hudson....
Hoyle Family Visit
The Fry Art Gallery was delighted to welcome Walter Hoyle’s widow, Denise, and their daughter, Nina, to the new exhibition Walter Hoyle – A Versatile Artist. They have kindly loaned pictures to the exhibition together with pots made by Walter and decorated by Denise,...
Visiting us
Opening Times
From Tuesday July 20th, booking will no longer be necessary. Please note that because the Gallery is small, numbers are limited to twelve at any one time, and we prefer face
coverings to be worn to protect visitors and staff, unless exempt.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2pm – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday and Bank holidays 2pm – 5pm
Contact us
If you have visited us recently, please take part in our brief ’10 things we’d like to know…’. CLICK HERE
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Location
