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.
Results from the Annual Exhibition and Sale 2021.
Over the weekend of the 20/21 November the Sale attracted 472 visitors and made a profit for the Gallery of over £20,000. The Fry does not receive any regular core funding and so this income helps us to meet our running costs and maintain free admission to all.
A Singular Obsession and Lithographic Fever have now ended. The Gallery will reopen in May 2022, with exhibitions including REGENERATION, which will include many of the highlights of collection, together with The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne.
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 continued to affect visitor numbers during 2021. 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 46: Ballymoss, Ascot Racecourse by Kenneth Rowntree
lithograph, 1958 Ballymoss (1954 - 1979) was an 16-hands-high Irish thoroughbred racehorse. He is pictured here winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in 1958 by three lengths and was retired at the end of that season. He ran in 17 races,...
Work of the Week 45: Map of Great Bardfield by Richard Bawden
mixed media (pen and ink, linocut on paper) 2005/6 Nothing perhaps exemplifies the richness of talent that had been present in Great Bardfield more than this simple drawing by Richard Bawden. Great Bardfield, with cottages dating back to the 14th century, was and...
Work of the Week 44: Caerhays Castle by Edward Bawden
watercolour 1983 Caerhays Castle in Cornwall was built at the beginning of the 19th century for John Bettesworth-Trevanion. It was designed by John Nash, one of the most prominent architects of the Georgian and Regency periods, who was also responsible for Buckingham...
Exhibitions
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...
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
A Singular Obsession and Lithographic Fever have now ended. The Gallery will reopen in May 2022, with exhibitions including REGENERATION, which will include many of the highlights of collection, together with The Many Sides of Isabel Rawsthorne.
Contact us
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