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 for the winter.
We re-open on Sunday 6th April 2025, with exhibitions celebrating our 40th anniversary.
In the mean time, we look forward to seeing you at our annual sale on the weekend of 16th and 17th November, or at one of our winter lectures, by Tim Knox on Friday 8th November, by Johnny Hannah on Friday 10th January, and by Ella Ravilious on Friday 14th February. More details are on this website under ‘Exhibitions’ and ‘News’.
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
Fry Art Gallery Annual Sale – 16 & 17 November 2024
We're excited to announce the 2024 edition of the Fry Art Gallery Annual Sale. It will take place as usual over two days, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November, from 12 noon until 4 pm on both days. We are busily assembling the works for sale, and look forward to...
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...
Work of the month
Work of the Month: Oak Cottage by Charles Mahoney
Oak Cottage, Oil on Canvas Cyril (known as Charles) Mahoney (1903 - 1968) studied at the Royal College of Art with Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious. The three artists won the commission to paint the murals at Morley College in Southwark between 1928 and 1930....
Work of the Month: My Mother’s House by Chloë Cheese
My Mother's House, Lithograph, 1986. Sheila Robinson was a pupil of Edward Bawden at the Royal College of Art. Encouraged by him, she moved to Great Bardfield in 1953, and immersed herself in the creative life there while raising two small children, Ben and Chloë. She...
Work of the Month: Young Chickens by Walter Hoyle
Young Chickens, Gouache, pen and ink, 1958. ‘If I were asked which were the best years,’ wrote Walter Hoyle (1922 - 2000) ‘I would not hesitate to answer those spent in and around Great Bardfield and Great Saling'. During that happy time, between 1952 and 1975, Walter...
Exhibitions
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Visiting us
Opening Times
The Gallery is open in 2024 from Sunday 7th April to Sunday 27th 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
