What started in a small upstairs courtyard in 1974 has grown into a 4,000-square-foot anchor on Dolores Street. While Carmel is dense with art dealers, New Masters Gallery is distinct for its sheer scale and continuity – the Hill family has owned and operated the business for over five decades, moving it to this current location in 1985. The interior is divided into four distinct rooms, creating enough separation to house a genuinely eclectic inventory without the space feeling chaotic.
The collection covers a wide stylistic range, shifting from traditional realism and impressionism to abstract expressionism. You will see bronze sculptures by artists like Gary Price stationed throughout the floor, adding dimension to the walls of oil and acrylic paintings. Despite the volume of work – representing more than 40 artists from the U.S. and abroad – the atmosphere remains unhurried. The layout encourages you to wander through the rooms without being shadowed by staff, a pacing that reflects the gallery’s long tenure in the community. The name itself is a nod to the founders' original mission to highlight emerging talent, a direction shaped early on by DeWitt Whistler Jayne, a cousin of James McNeill Whistler who mentored co-founder Bill Hill.
New Masters Gallery