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.
2022.The 2022 season runs until 30 October.
2022 Exhibitions
Regeneration: highlights from the permanent collection, with works by Ravilious, Bawden, Rothenstein, Aldridge and many more.
The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne: an in-depth look at the work of this celebrated and prolific artist, who made her home in the area for nearly 40 years. The exhibition includes important loans from the Sainsbury Centre and the Royal Opera House.
Pre-booking is not essential, but recommended.
For opening times and booking free admission, please click 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. Pre-booking not necessary.
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.
Art & Artists
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...
Work of the Week 51: Spring by Olga Lehmann
scraperboard As Spring arrives, we highlight another work by Olga Lehmann that couldn't be more different to Work of the Week 50. It exudes all the joys of this new season. The Fry holds the full set, one for each season, and highlights her particular skill with this...
Work of the Week 50: At A Hollywood Screening by Olga Lehmann
guache, 1992 Born in Chile of a French father and a Scots mother, Lehmann was initially educated by an English governess and then sent to an American college in Santiago, later winning a scholarship to the Slade School of Fine Art in London. Lehmann’s paintings and...
Exhibitions
A Singular Obsession – celebrating the centenary of Michael Ayrton
Michael Ayrton (1921 – 1975) was a precocious, individual, productive and passionate artist…
Lithographic Fever: ‘Britain’s Mid-Century Print Boom’
In 1950, the artist Michael Rothenstein wrote to the Arts Council from his home in Great Bardfield, Essex.
North West Essex Potters (online)
Online Exhibition (published 18th September 2020) The Fry Art Gallery has had for some years a small collection of the work of studio potters who have lived and worked in North West Essex. Recently this has been developed and two new ground-breaking potters, Ian Auld...
News
From Drawing to Monoprint: One day workshop with Chloë Cheese
Friday 1st July 2022 10am to 4.30pm This will take place at Fry Too, 9b Museum Street, Saffron Walden CB10 1BN, adjacent to the main gates of Saffron Walden Museum. Tea and coffee provided; please bring your own packed lunch. Suitable for all abilities. Parking...
Tessa Hawkes Exhibition
Renowned local artist, and great friend to The Fry, Tessa Hawkes, has a new exhibition in Saffron Walden. Sculpture and paintings by Tessa and Ann Gascoine will be on display from the 18th June. Saturday 18th June - Sunday 26th June 10am-5pm ANN GASCOINE & TESSA...
Fry Talk on Isabel Rawsthorne with Carol Jacobi
photo: John Blake Friends Meeting House, High Street, Saffron Walden Friday 10th June 7.30pm £6 (£4 National Art Pass) BOOK HERE An accompaniment to The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne. Dr Carol Jacobi is Curator of British Art at Tate Britain. She has taught, written...
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
