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 open from Sunday 6th April to Sunday 26th October 2025.
The Gallery is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. We are delighted to have as guest curator of the exhibition in the main gallery Ella Ravilious, with a celebration of art and design depicting or made for the domestic space ‘Finding a Home at the Fry’.
In the Gibson Room, Alan Powers and Neil Jennings present a fascinating insight into the murals work done by the Bardfield artists, with many rarely seen pieces.
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
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Work of the month
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...
Work of the Week 27: The Flying Dutchman by David Myerscough-Jones
mixed media, 1975 Made in advance of a 1976 BBC television production of Wagner's opera The Flying Dutchman, David Myerscough-Jones's drawing manages not only to be a practical design but to evoke the entire musical world of that haunted and haunting opera. The...
Work of the Week 26: Dans ce Cafe by Michael Ayrton
etching, from Femmes/Hombres (The Verlaine Suite) 1972 Paul Verlaine (1844-1896), wrote a trilogy of erotic poetry between 1887 and 1891, entitled Les Amies, Femmes and Hombres. The latter two were republished in 1972 as Femmes/Hombres in an edition of 100, with 15...
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 will open in 2025 from Sunday 6th April to Sunday 26th 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
