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 event in the calendar is the Annual Fry Picture Sale on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November, from 12 noon till 4 pm on both days. 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
Annual Picture Sale 2025
Mark Hearld and his Cat & Mouse poster in the Fry Gallery The Fry Gallery's Annual Picture Sale is coming up on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November. We are thrilled that Mark Hearld has designed this superb Cat & Mouse poster, inspired by the many...
New Acquisition: Edward Bawden Lino Blocks
We are thrilled to have acquired, through a very generous donation, a collection of around 200 of Edward Bawden's original lino blocks. These form a selection from a larger group of blocks which have been shared with the Higgins, Bedford, home of a substantial Bawden...
New Acquisition: Sacred Place by Michael Ayrton
Michael Ayrton was born in London, the son of the poet and critic, Gerald Gould and MP, Barbara Ayrton Gould. He studied art in London before visiting Paris in 1938 with the artist John Minton, where they studied with the French neo-romanticist Eugene Berman...
Work of the month
Work of the Month: Family Group by Duffy Ayers
Family Group Oil on Board by Duffy Ayers April brings the start of a new season at the Fry Art Gallery. Our exhibition in the main gallery 'Finding a Home at the Fry' has been curated by Ella Ravilious and celebrates art and design depicting and made for the domestic...
Work of the Month: Wallpapers by Edward Bawden
Quatrefoil and Swan and Grass Wallpapers, designed by Edward Bawden The Great Bardfield artists both undertook commissions to design patterned wallpapers, and liked to decorate their homes with them. Examples of these wallpapers feature prominently in our forthcoming...
Work of the Month: Design for Royal Mail Stamp by Sheila Robinson
Alternative Idea for British Rural Architecture Stamps, Ink and Pencil on Paper 1970. In February 1969 the Royal Mail’s Stamp Advisory Committee discussed the stamp programme for 1970. It was felt that the British architecture series started with Cathedrals in May...
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
