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 one of our winter lectures. Johnny Hannah gives us ‘England, my England’ on Friday 10th January, and we have ‘an evening with Ella Ravilious’, to look forward to on Friday 14th February. More details and tickets are on this website under ‘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
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Work of the month
Work of the Week 21: Salmon Nets Drying by Bernard Cheese
1959, lithograph Much of Bernard Cheese’s printmaking in the later 1950s depicted boats and fishing communities – a subject that was never to lose its fascination for him. ‘Salmon Nets Drying’ is typical of his work at the time with its combination of attractive...
Work of the Week 20: Coronation Golden Persephone Plate by Eric Ravilious
Eric Ravilious (1903 – 1942) was employed by the Wedgwood company between 1936 and 1940…
Work of the Week 19: Great Lodge Farm Cottage, Great Bardfield by Walter Hoyle
Watercolour, 1952 Walter Hoyle (1922 – 2000) visited Sicily in August 1951 in the company of fellow artist, Edward Bawden. Both found the heat and dust almost unbearable and eventually took refuge up in the mountains at Enna. On their return to England, Hoyle was...
Exhibitions
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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.