Fry Art Gallery
@fryartgallery.bsky.social
Home to an important collection of work by 20th and 21st century artists who lived and worked in North West Essex. Find us in Saffron Walden and online at: www.fryartgallery.org
More exhibition news! It’s busy behind the scenes. Colin Wilkin, our Keeper of Pictures, has worked with Mark Hearld selecting loans and pieces from the stores.’Fry’s Popular Delights’ explores the link between ‘Fry’ artists and Popular Art. Co-curated by Mark and Colin, the show runs 5/4 to 25/10.
February 5, 2026 at 11:44 AM
More exhibition news! It’s busy behind the scenes. Colin Wilkin, our Keeper of Pictures, has worked with Mark Hearld selecting loans and pieces from the stores.’Fry’s Popular Delights’ explores the link between ‘Fry’ artists and Popular Art. Co-curated by Mark and Colin, the show runs 5/4 to 25/10.
Our first exhibition in the Gibson Room this year will be Michelle Thompson's solo show Papercuts: 30 Years of Collage Illustration. Opening 5 April.
Papercuts presents a retrospective of Michelle's three-decade career, featuring original collage pieces alongside her printed illustration work.
Papercuts presents a retrospective of Michelle's three-decade career, featuring original collage pieces alongside her printed illustration work.
February 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Our first exhibition in the Gibson Room this year will be Michelle Thompson's solo show Papercuts: 30 Years of Collage Illustration. Opening 5 April.
Papercuts presents a retrospective of Michelle's three-decade career, featuring original collage pieces alongside her printed illustration work.
Papercuts presents a retrospective of Michelle's three-decade career, featuring original collage pieces alongside her printed illustration work.
Before we begin our 2026 exhibition previews we are sharing sketches by Hannah Webb drawn in November at our Annual Sale. The reportage style images really capture the energy of the occasion. She regularly lectures, teaches and exhibits her work, and is widely published and collected. Thanks Hannah!
February 3, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Before we begin our 2026 exhibition previews we are sharing sketches by Hannah Webb drawn in November at our Annual Sale. The reportage style images really capture the energy of the occasion. She regularly lectures, teaches and exhibits her work, and is widely published and collected. Thanks Hannah!
As we look ahead to a new exhibition year, we are pleased to introduce the Fry Art Gallery's new Chair, Mark Myers. Mark has a broad range of cultural interests across the arts and has made a considerable contribution to his previous roles. We are looking forward to working with him. Welcome Mark!
February 2, 2026 at 5:02 PM
As we look ahead to a new exhibition year, we are pleased to introduce the Fry Art Gallery's new Chair, Mark Myers. Mark has a broad range of cultural interests across the arts and has made a considerable contribution to his previous roles. We are looking forward to working with him. Welcome Mark!
While icy conditions are longer with us all, January afternoons often demand comfort. These two fireside images, although different in style and medium, are both influenced by English Neo-romanticism: Turf Fire, oil, by Edwin Smith (d. 1970) and Fireplace and Kettle by Michael Rothenstein (d. 1993)
January 18, 2026 at 4:25 PM
While icy conditions are longer with us all, January afternoons often demand comfort. These two fireside images, although different in style and medium, are both influenced by English Neo-romanticism: Turf Fire, oil, by Edwin Smith (d. 1970) and Fireplace and Kettle by Michael Rothenstein (d. 1993)
A Snowy Day by Edward Bawden is our work of the month. The weather warnings for snow and ice at the start of 2026 could equally apply to Great Bardfield in January 1955, at the start of what was known as ‘Britain’s big freeze’ - purchased with assistance from the Art Fund and the V&A Purchase Fund.
January 11, 2026 at 1:22 PM
A Snowy Day by Edward Bawden is our work of the month. The weather warnings for snow and ice at the start of 2026 could equally apply to Great Bardfield in January 1955, at the start of what was known as ‘Britain’s big freeze’ - purchased with assistance from the Art Fund and the V&A Purchase Fund.
The Bardfield Artists sculpture by @ianwolter and the gallery looking picture perfect in the snow. We hope everyone is keeping safe and warm this chilly January. Thanks to @candyaclark for capturing the moment ❄️
#fryartgallery #greatbardfieldartists #saffronwalden #modernandcontemporaryart
#fryartgallery #greatbardfieldartists #saffronwalden #modernandcontemporaryart
January 6, 2026 at 10:22 PM
The Bardfield Artists sculpture by @ianwolter and the gallery looking picture perfect in the snow. We hope everyone is keeping safe and warm this chilly January. Thanks to @candyaclark for capturing the moment ❄️
#fryartgallery #greatbardfieldartists #saffronwalden #modernandcontemporaryart
#fryartgallery #greatbardfieldartists #saffronwalden #modernandcontemporaryart
A reminder to join us next Friday 9 January, from 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Saffron Walden for our final winter talk by Helen Ritchie. Helen is responsible for researching, interpreting and curating modern and contemporary European Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Tickets £6
January 3, 2026 at 11:17 AM
A reminder to join us next Friday 9 January, from 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Saffron Walden for our final winter talk by Helen Ritchie. Helen is responsible for researching, interpreting and curating modern and contemporary European Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Tickets £6
Two beautiful Bawden works to mark the year's end. Brick House, Great Bardfield (1955) by Edward Bawden and Winter Evening by Richard Bawden. It has been a truly memorable fortieth year for the Fry with exciting new acquisitions and exhibitions. We wish you a happy, healthy and creative 2026!
December 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Two beautiful Bawden works to mark the year's end. Brick House, Great Bardfield (1955) by Edward Bawden and Winter Evening by Richard Bawden. It has been a truly memorable fortieth year for the Fry with exciting new acquisitions and exhibitions. We wish you a happy, healthy and creative 2026!
A date for January diaries! Our final winter talk will be given by Helen Ritchie, Senior Curator Modern & Contemporary Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge. Join us at the Quaker Meeting House in Saffron Walden on Friday 9th January 2026 - 7.30pm. Tickets on the door or via our website.
December 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A date for January diaries! Our final winter talk will be given by Helen Ritchie, Senior Curator Modern & Contemporary Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge. Join us at the Quaker Meeting House in Saffron Walden on Friday 9th January 2026 - 7.30pm. Tickets on the door or via our website.
Many of Great Bardfield's artists made seasonal greetings cards for friends and family. We've some wonderful examples, including this Christmas Card Design Linocut by Michael Rothenstein.
To all our amazing volunteers and visitors, thank you for making our 40th year so memorable. Merry Christmas!
To all our amazing volunteers and visitors, thank you for making our 40th year so memorable. Merry Christmas!
December 23, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Many of Great Bardfield's artists made seasonal greetings cards for friends and family. We've some wonderful examples, including this Christmas Card Design Linocut by Michael Rothenstein.
To all our amazing volunteers and visitors, thank you for making our 40th year so memorable. Merry Christmas!
To all our amazing volunteers and visitors, thank you for making our 40th year so memorable. Merry Christmas!
Winter Roof, Istanbul is a brilliantly observed cardboard cut by Sheila Robinson. Contented cats and alert looking birds keeping well away from the kitchen!
A student of Edward Bawden at the RCA, Robinson lived and worked in Great Bardfield and Saffron Walden. Her later work focused on printmaking.
A student of Edward Bawden at the RCA, Robinson lived and worked in Great Bardfield and Saffron Walden. Her later work focused on printmaking.
December 22, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Winter Roof, Istanbul is a brilliantly observed cardboard cut by Sheila Robinson. Contented cats and alert looking birds keeping well away from the kitchen!
A student of Edward Bawden at the RCA, Robinson lived and worked in Great Bardfield and Saffron Walden. Her later work focused on printmaking.
A student of Edward Bawden at the RCA, Robinson lived and worked in Great Bardfield and Saffron Walden. Her later work focused on printmaking.
Night by John Bolam (oil, 1966) is our choice to mark this year's Winter Solstice. A time when we look forward to longer daylight hours, and to festive celebrations which are now just days away. Will you light a fire at home to honour the shortest day?
We hold the public collection of Bolam’s work.
We hold the public collection of Bolam’s work.
December 21, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Night by John Bolam (oil, 1966) is our choice to mark this year's Winter Solstice. A time when we look forward to longer daylight hours, and to festive celebrations which are now just days away. Will you light a fire at home to honour the shortest day?
We hold the public collection of Bolam’s work.
We hold the public collection of Bolam’s work.
A Merry Christmas to You All, a print by Bernard Cheese c.1958. Cheese was born in Sydenham, London in 1925. He studied at Beckenham School of Art and at the RCA. While addressed ‘to all’ this card was most likely sent to Marianne Straub who included it her 1950s scrapbook, now in our collection.
December 13, 2025 at 10:28 AM
A Merry Christmas to You All, a print by Bernard Cheese c.1958. Cheese was born in Sydenham, London in 1925. He studied at Beckenham School of Art and at the RCA. While addressed ‘to all’ this card was most likely sent to Marianne Straub who included it her 1950s scrapbook, now in our collection.
A reminder that our 2nd winter talk is this Friday 12/12 at 7.30 pm, by distinguished wood engraver Anne Desmet RA. Her talk explores this historic technique and shows some of the imagery it is capable of producing. Tickets via our website or on the door at the Quaker Meeting House, Saffron Walden.
December 9, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A reminder that our 2nd winter talk is this Friday 12/12 at 7.30 pm, by distinguished wood engraver Anne Desmet RA. Her talk explores this historic technique and shows some of the imagery it is capable of producing. Tickets via our website or on the door at the Quaker Meeting House, Saffron Walden.
We are seeking a new Chair of Trustees - could this be you? Skills to Chair and a passion for our cause are essential. Applications close on 19 December. Further information about the role and appointment process can be found via this link fryartgallery.org/chair-of-tru...
December 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We are seeking a new Chair of Trustees - could this be you? Skills to Chair and a passion for our cause are essential. Applications close on 19 December. Further information about the role and appointment process can be found via this link fryartgallery.org/chair-of-tru...
We’re feeling festive! Join us Saturday 6 December 10-1pm at the gallery (19a Castle Street, Saffron Walden) for some Christmas shopping: books, prints, jewellery and textiles galore 🎁 #essexevents #sale #buyart #giveart
December 6, 2025 at 12:19 AM
We’re feeling festive! Join us Saturday 6 December 10-1pm at the gallery (19a Castle Street, Saffron Walden) for some Christmas shopping: books, prints, jewellery and textiles galore 🎁 #essexevents #sale #buyart #giveart
Back by popular demand the Fry Gallery Christmas Sale returns on Saturday 6 December! Join us at the gallery 10-1pm for access to a great selection of gifts and collectibles - vintage and costume jewellery, hand crafted buttons, fabrics, a wide range of books, Olive Cook sketches and so much more…
December 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Back by popular demand the Fry Gallery Christmas Sale returns on Saturday 6 December! Join us at the gallery 10-1pm for access to a great selection of gifts and collectibles - vintage and costume jewellery, hand crafted buttons, fabrics, a wide range of books, Olive Cook sketches and so much more…
Did you miss our annual picture sale? Are you looking for the ideal seasonal gift for friends and family? Look no further than the Fry Gallery Christmas Sale. We’ll have a range of greeting cards, new and secondhand books + original prints by Edward Bawden and others.
Saturday 6 December 10am – 1pm
Saturday 6 December 10am – 1pm
November 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Did you miss our annual picture sale? Are you looking for the ideal seasonal gift for friends and family? Look no further than the Fry Gallery Christmas Sale. We’ll have a range of greeting cards, new and secondhand books + original prints by Edward Bawden and others.
Saturday 6 December 10am – 1pm
Saturday 6 December 10am – 1pm
Our 2nd @FryArtGallery winter talk will be on Friday 12 December, by Anne Desmet RA: ‘Wood engraving, a personal view.’ In 2011 Desmet was elected a member of the Royal Academy and is only the third wood engraver to be so elected. Join us 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, High St, Saffron Walden
November 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Our 2nd @FryArtGallery winter talk will be on Friday 12 December, by Anne Desmet RA: ‘Wood engraving, a personal view.’ In 2011 Desmet was elected a member of the Royal Academy and is only the third wood engraver to be so elected. Join us 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, High St, Saffron Walden
To our visitors and amazing contributing artists, thank you for making this year's Annual Sale @fryartgallery a success. These sales are months in planning, so special thanks to our curators for their vision and hard work. Very many thanks too to our volunteers who helped in so many ways all weekend
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 AM
To our visitors and amazing contributing artists, thank you for making this year's Annual Sale @fryartgallery a success. These sales are months in planning, so special thanks to our curators for their vision and hard work. Very many thanks too to our volunteers who helped in so many ways all weekend
Not too late to buy more beautiful collectable pieces @fryartgallery today. Visit us before 4pm - see you soon!
Maggi Hambling, Wave VII etching and aquatint Jessie Ann Matthew, Last Chance oil on paper Alex Malcolmson, Sumburgh Head mixed media Edward Bawden House and Garden in Moonlight
Maggi Hambling, Wave VII etching and aquatint Jessie Ann Matthew, Last Chance oil on paper Alex Malcolmson, Sumburgh Head mixed media Edward Bawden House and Garden in Moonlight
November 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Not too late to buy more beautiful collectable pieces @fryartgallery today. Visit us before 4pm - see you soon!
Maggi Hambling, Wave VII etching and aquatint Jessie Ann Matthew, Last Chance oil on paper Alex Malcolmson, Sumburgh Head mixed media Edward Bawden House and Garden in Moonlight
Maggi Hambling, Wave VII etching and aquatint Jessie Ann Matthew, Last Chance oil on paper Alex Malcolmson, Sumburgh Head mixed media Edward Bawden House and Garden in Moonlight
Still time to take home some fantastic paintings, prints, ceramics + mixed media work @fryartgallery :
Richard Bawden water colour, Stockeld Park
Edward Bawden water colour, Azaleas (RA exhibited)
Brita Granström acrylic on canvas, Rain & Nasturtiums
Edward Bawden Linocut, Printing the Sunday Times
Richard Bawden water colour, Stockeld Park
Edward Bawden water colour, Azaleas (RA exhibited)
Brita Granström acrylic on canvas, Rain & Nasturtiums
Edward Bawden Linocut, Printing the Sunday Times
November 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Still time to take home some fantastic paintings, prints, ceramics + mixed media work @fryartgallery :
Richard Bawden water colour, Stockeld Park
Edward Bawden water colour, Azaleas (RA exhibited)
Brita Granström acrylic on canvas, Rain & Nasturtiums
Edward Bawden Linocut, Printing the Sunday Times
Richard Bawden water colour, Stockeld Park
Edward Bawden water colour, Azaleas (RA exhibited)
Brita Granström acrylic on canvas, Rain & Nasturtiums
Edward Bawden Linocut, Printing the Sunday Times
Day 2 of our annual sale! We’ve lots more covetable pieces to buy from Fry favourites including Polly Fern (Romantic Platter, tin glazed white earthenware) and Debbie George (Transfer-ware Cup and Spring Flowers, acrylic on gessoed board). Find a perfect gift or grow your collection @FryArtGallery
November 16, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Day 2 of our annual sale! We’ve lots more covetable pieces to buy from Fry favourites including Polly Fern (Romantic Platter, tin glazed white earthenware) and Debbie George (Transfer-ware Cup and Spring Flowers, acrylic on gessoed board). Find a perfect gift or grow your collection @FryArtGallery
It's Day 1 of our Annual Sale!
Azaleas, a watercolour by Edward Bawden is one of many special works to buy @fryartgallery today. Bawden was born in Braintree in 1903, and was perhaps more firmly rooted in Essex than any other artist represented in the NW Essex Collection at the Fry. We open at noon.
Azaleas, a watercolour by Edward Bawden is one of many special works to buy @fryartgallery today. Bawden was born in Braintree in 1903, and was perhaps more firmly rooted in Essex than any other artist represented in the NW Essex Collection at the Fry. We open at noon.
November 15, 2025 at 7:25 AM
It's Day 1 of our Annual Sale!
Azaleas, a watercolour by Edward Bawden is one of many special works to buy @fryartgallery today. Bawden was born in Braintree in 1903, and was perhaps more firmly rooted in Essex than any other artist represented in the NW Essex Collection at the Fry. We open at noon.
Azaleas, a watercolour by Edward Bawden is one of many special works to buy @fryartgallery today. Bawden was born in Braintree in 1903, and was perhaps more firmly rooted in Essex than any other artist represented in the NW Essex Collection at the Fry. We open at noon.