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 season. We are open in 2026 between Sunday 5th April and Sunday 25th October.
Our 2026 season opens with two exhibitions:
- ‘Fry’s Popular Delights’ co-curated by Mark Hearld and Colin Wilkin featuring works from our Collection, and exploring the link between the ‘Fry Artists’ and Popular Art.
- a selection of work by illustrator and collage artist Michelle Thompson, who has been shown at the RA and whose clients include The Guardian, The New York Times, and Marvel.
The next events in the calendar are the Annual Fry Picture Sale on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November, from 12 noon till 4 pm on both days, and the first in our Winter Lecture series, Ian Wolter The Making of Safe Haven – the Harwich Kindertransport Memorial on Friday 7th November at 7:30 pm in the Quaker Meeting House, Saffron Walden. More details under ‘News’ on this website.
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
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Work of the month
Work of the Week 32: Liverpool Street Station by Edward Bawden
linocut, 1962 Liverpool Street Station was opened in 1874 as the London terminus for the East Anglian lines to Norwich and King’s Lynn, operated by the Great Eastern Railway. It was always conceived as a dual-level station, with the Metropolitan underground line...
Work of the Week 31: Sample of moquette by Marianne Straub
fabric sample, 1966 - 1970 Not all of the works in our Collection are finished artworks. Moquettes such as this example, with a simple linear pattern, were used increasingly in the 1970s and 80s. This design features a geometric intercrossing 'block' motif of navy,...
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...
Exhibitions
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Visiting us
Opening Times
The Gallery will open in 2026 from Sunday 5th April to Sunday 25th 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
