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.
Don’t miss Alan Powers’ lecture ‘Finding the lost murals of the Bardfield artists’ on Friday 25th April at 7.30pm. 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
New acquisition: Woman & Cat by Robert Colquhoun
New acquisition: Woman & Cat, by Robert Colquhoun Lithograph, 1951 At the Fry annual sale last November, the gallery was able to boost its collection with a clutch of works by 'Fry' artists. They include two late watercolours and a print by Edward Bawden, a...
Work of the month
Work of the Month: The Potato Field by Eric Ravilious
The Potato Field, Watercolour PC3037 on loan from a private collector Only four weeks left to enjoy a number of Eric Ravilious's delicate watercolours, along with works by fellow artists from Great Bardfield, before the Fry closes for the season at the end of October....
Work of the Month: Still Life with Anemones and Fruit by Charles Mahoney
Still Life with Anemones and Fruit, Oil on Board Charles Mahoney (1903 - 1968) found his own earthly paradise at Oak Cottage at Wrotham in Kent, and spent the greater part of his life there. The apples and plums depicted in this still life were likely the fruits of...
Work of the Month: Combine in a Cornfield by Bernard Cheese
Combine in a Cornfield, Lithograph, 1961 Bernard Cheese met fellow student Sheila Robinson at the Royal College of Art (RCA), and they married in 1951. Both artists worked on Festival of Britain murals alongside their art-school tutor and close friend Edward Bawden....
Exhibitions
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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
