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 our annual sale on the weekend of 16th and 17th November, or at one of our winter lectures, by Tim Knox on Friday 8th November, by Johnny Hannah on Friday 10th January, and by Ella Ravilious on Friday 14th February. More details are on this website under ‘Exhibitions’ and ‘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
Colourful bird spotted in the gallery
Sheila Robinson, Parrot 1965, cardboard cut. The pictures are going up on the walls for this season’s exhibitions at the Fry. Keeping an eye on the gallery is this colourful parrot, one of the highlights of this year's opening exhibition in the Gibson room. The show...
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: Fishermen by Keith Vaughan
Screen-printed cotton crepe, 1956 The Fry Gallery is pleased to have acquired this example of one of the furnishing fabrics that Keith Vaughan designed for Edinburgh Weavers between 1956 and 1958. Vaughan was one of several contemporary artists who were commissioned...
Work of the month: Hyde Park by Edward Bawden
Poster for London Transport, Lithograph 1925 An early work by Edward Bawden for London Transport, printed by Curwen. It shows horse riders and people strolling in Hyde Park. Purchased with assistance from the Gibson Walden Fund. We are delighted to welcome Sam...
Work of the month: Design for Ivanhoe by Olga Lehmann
Ink & watercolour on paper, 1981 This is a sketch done by Olga Lehmann of a costume for the character Rebecca, played by Olivia Hussey, in a TV film adaptation of Ivanhoe, first shown in the UK in September 1982. The production featured a number of well-known...
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.
Location
