Discovering local art at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery

This important local spot is a hub for history and culture.

Driving down Newton’s Main Street, a visitor passes first Dillons then Et Cetera, and turns left after Faith and Life Bookstore. As they continue on sixth street, they notice an old fashioned building nestled in on their left: the Carriage Factory Art Gallery.

This gallery features pieces from a variety of local artists and offers workshops for anyone wishing to better their craft. It is also a staple meeting place for Newton community members. 

The history of the Carriage Factory Art Gallery can be largely summed up by its name. J.J. Krehbiel founded a carriage factory in the location that is now an art gallery. This transition was ushered in by the Newton Fine Arts Association, who began the building’s restoration process in 1993. 

Now featured in the gallery is a collection of paintings by J.J. Krehbiel’s own son, Albert Krehbiel (a Bethel College alum), Mario G. Garcia, Vernon Rickman, and Bethel’s own Rachel Epp Buller. 

The two story building is packed with local art while maintaining a carefully curated collection. Visitors can expect to see representation from a variety of art disciplines such as bronze and ceramic sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and photography. 

The Carriage Factory Art Gallery is open, free of charge, to community members and Bethel students – art perusers and connoisseurs alike. The gallery provides a great space for students wishing to broaden their cultural horizons as well as an outlet for artistic expression and appreciation.

On September 17, the Carriage Factory Art Gallery will be hosting Naturally, a shared exhibition with pieces from artists Diane Goldschmidt, Ann Zerger, and Elizabeth Corbett. The reception will go from 6 to 8 p.m. with an artist’s talk at 7 p.m. More information on this event can be found at the Carriage Factory’s website here.

Naturally is an ideal introduction into the art available at this local gallery. The exhibit runs from Saturday through Nov. 11. On a regular basis, the Carriage Factory Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Prices of available art range from a few bucks to several thousand dollars – perfectly representative of the diversity of pieces. The Newton community is blessed with the opportunity to recognize and support their local artists thanks to the Carriage Factory Art Gallery’s mission to “celebrate the power of art”.