Celebration of Sound, Color at Carriage Factory Gallery

Since 2005, the Carriage Factory Gallery has celebrated the arrival of summer and the opening of the July-August exhibit with a grand, all-day celebration.

Dubbed the Celebration of Sound and Color the first year because the event featured great sound as well as great art, this event has proven to be popular with artists, band members and visitors to the Carriage Factory Gallery, according to a gallery news release.

The event has evolved in the past four years, but the grand finale has remained an open-air concert in J. J. Krehbiel Park adjacent to the gallery.

There is no admission charge, but donations are accepted.

“We have been blessed with great weather conditions,” gallery director Carrie Lewis in a news release. “Slanting sunlight and cooling shadows provide the perfect setting for a concert and the perfect conclusion to a day of events. The Fifth Annual Celebration of Sound and Color is slated for July 11 and is shaping up to be an exciting and fun-filled celebration of the color of art through painting and the sound of art through music.”

J. J. Krehbiel Park will be the focus of attention with an all-day exhibit of historic American flags (weather permitting) and the evening concert.

This year’s concert will be performed by Senseney Music’s Wichita Community Band, an all-volunteer group of musicians who play for the love of music and the opportunity to perform. The concert will include a variety of selections including show tunes, patriotic melodies and some just plain fun stuff. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

During the afternoon, local artist Linda David will lead a demonstration class in drawing and watercolor colored pencils. David has a wide range of experience in drawing and painting with a variety of mediums. Her class is from 2 to 4 p.m., and visitors are welcome to observe or to sit down and try their hand for a while or for the entire class. David’s class is an opportunity for artists and aspiring artists of all ages to try their hand at drawing and watercolor pencil. The class is free.

The regular July-August 2009 exhibit is titled “Celebrating Kansas Heritage.” It features a collection of works by local and regional artists depicting their visions of what makes Kansas great. Landscapes, still-life paintings and many others have been provided by featured artists Paul Jackson, Sue Vautravers and Jim Wimmer, as well as by contributing members of the Newton Fine Arts Association. Works cover a wide variety of media from graphite to fabric and many others.

An artists’ reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

The July special exhibit features the works of the Kansas Academy of Oil Painters. More than 40 artists from this statewide organization have contributed nearly 100 paintings featuring many subjects and styles. KAOP members from Newton and Wichita are represented in this special collection.

“We are also extremely pleased to be hosting an original oil painting by Loren Entz, as well as several reproductions and giclees of Loren’s work,” Lewis said. “So if you’re looking for something to do for part of the day or have the whole day free, stop by and see the art.”

If it’s music you’re interested in, bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us in the J. J. Krehbiel Park at 7 p.m. for some great music, ice cream and an enjoyable evening.

“As always, I invite you to stop by the gallery during regular business hours to view the exhibits,” Lewis said.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Those with questions about these exhibits or any of the events scheduled at the gallery, contact Lewis at 284-2749 or by e-mail at director@carriagefactoryartgallery.com.

Partners

Partners in this event include:

• Creation Station, Newton.

• GMLS Industries Inc., Peabody.

• Krueger Insurance Management, Newton.

• Prairie Harvest, Newton.

• Sonic Drive Ins (north and south), Newton.

• Schwan’s Fine Frozen Foods.