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 23: That’s What We Want! by Edward Bawden
lithographic poster for the Empire Marketing Board, c. 1931 This exemplifies Edward Bawden’s brilliance as a designer; the same linocut profile of the bullock, reminiscent of those circling Grecian pots from antiquity, is repeated with suave economy and startling...
Work of the Week 22: Ironbridge at Ewenbridge by Eric Ravilious
1942, watercolour When one thinks of Ironbridge, the pioneering structure spanning the Severn in Shropshire comes to mind. This was a favourite subject of artists, including some from Great Bardfield. In 1958, Edward Bawden...
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...
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
