Brooksville and Hernando County as a whole are rich in history. A visible reminder of that long history is now on display at Chinsegut Hill in the form of art. The Mary Coogler Art Show features the art of Mary Anderson Coogler – an artist who created wonderful pieces showcasing the beauty of Florida.
Mary Anderson Coogler came to Brooksville with her sister Mrs. George Martin in 1895 from Springfield, TN. During her stay, she met Theodore Coogler Jr. (Raymond Robins’ attorney) and they were married three years later.
When you walk into the yellow cottage where the art show is held, to the left of the door is a table covered in papers. Upon closer inspection, these papers include various letters, documents from galleries, images of newspaper clippings regarding Mrs. Coogler’s work, a proclamation from Brooksville Mayor David Pugh in 2007 recognizing her work, and other historical pieces.
From these documents, one finds that Mary Coogler surely had a passion for art and painting. She began experimenting with art from a young age and studied art for a time at school, although some articles state that she really didn’t have a lot of formal training other than one year of study under a French artist with the last name of Bazelle. After marrying Theodore Coogler Jr. she began to paint quite a bit and her work became beloved by locals. Theo Coogler teased his wife about always having paints scattered around the house. Her work caught the eye of those outside of Brooksville as well and was shown at a New York City art gallery and at two World’s Fairs.
The Evening Independent on June 5, 1939 reported on Coogler’s artwork acceptance into the World’s Fair that year and stated that it would be displayed in the Radio Room, a popular spot for attendees. It also states that Coogler’s sponsor for a recent exhibition in New York was Miss Katherine Dreier, the sister of Margaret Dreier (married to Raymond Robins of Chinsegut Hill). Katherine Dreier was a New York artist, lecturer and author. Katherine Dreier was associated with the Nierendorf gallery in New York City, where the exhibition took place.
The New York exhibition was “an exhibition of contrasts” in which Coogler’s impressionist work was side by side modern art paintings. Margaret Dreier sent a telegram to the Evening Independent stating,
” ‘Dr. Arnold Genthe, the world famous photographer and writer, put his finger on the reason of the great interest when he said that such pictures were never hung together, and that Mary A. Coogler’s paintings brought out or rather illumined the works of the modern painters exactly as the modern paintings illumined hers…’ ”
She also listed several of the distinguished guests who attended.
Katherine Dreier described Coogler’s work as delicate, lyrical and fragile. She wished to bring Coogler’s work to New York City, but worried that “These paintings with their outer frailty and delicacy, so subtle that they would be utterly lost in a city where the exhibitions are filled with strong paint and often brutal subjects.”
The it dawned on her that the bold work of the abstract artists could be impacted by Mary Coogler’s fragile impressionism. She explained, “Then chance placed a group in my studio with strong abstract work and there flashed upon my vision a new truth that the great reserve of the abstract paintings cleanse the eye and reveal art. And the amazing thing was that these fragile paintings by Mary A. Coogler, not only fragile; but giving the impression of almost monotone, could not only hold their own because of their inner strength, but revealed the beauty and variety of other works to an even greater degree.”
From the table piled high with historical information about Mary Coogler’s art, you can walk around the room and view her work. In several of her paintings on display, she captures light with such elegant beauty, depicting it as if it is a memory. Each piece has unique style and look to it, enhanced by her skillful use of details and masterful brushstrokes.
Mary Coogler was still painting at the age of 81 and stated that she “just never thinks about age.” Painting the surrounding beauty of Florida kept her busy.
The art show will run until the 15th of October. The address to Chinsegut Hill Manor House is 22495 Chinsegut Hill Rd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Their phone number 352-799-5400, and their hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm. Tours of the manor house are $5 per person.
For more information about Chinsegut Hill, their most recent news, pricing, and/or more information about the art show, be sure to visit their website at http://chinseguthillretreat.com/ and visit their Facebook page.