Gery Conover, co-owner with his wife Paula of Edgartown’s fabled Charlotte Inn, has been collecting art for most of his adult life. His interest in fine art was sparked during his childhood days in Philadelphia, where his stepfather owned a gallery and restoration business. For years Mr. Conover has been seeking out unique pieces and fostering relationships with artists throughout his extensive travels. Luckily he’s happy to share his passion for traditional art, and much of the work he has accumulated adorns the walls of the Charlotte Inn, tastefully hung throughout the guest rooms and public areas.
A variety of paintings from the collection, along with some antique furniture, silver pieces, and curios, are also housed in a gallery next door to the Inn, known as the Edgartown Art Gallery. Although the gallery has been in existence for four decades, this summer, for the first time, the space will operate as a full-time gallery, now open to the public on a regular basis throughout the summer.
Recently, Charlotte Inn employee Sue Ellen Rothery was appointed full-time gallery manager. She has been busy researching and documenting the extensive collection, which includes new works in oil, watercolor, and pastels, as well as some older pieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Everything in the gallery is for sale, as is most of the work that hangs in the Charlotte Inn itself. Visitors are welcome to explore the charming 150-year-old inn’s collection. (Note: The Charlotte Inn is not the sort of place to stop by straight from the beach or with young children. The inn is a quiet and elegant — though not stuffy — space, where old-world decorum is maintained by disallowing the use of cell phones and other digital devices.)
One’s best bet is to pop into the gallery, located around the back right side of the inn’s front entrance, and chat with Ms. Rothery. Although the work is on the high-end side, the reception is not what one might expect from an exclusive art gallery. Ms. Rothery is very welcoming, and more than happy to share her knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the work displayed. The Connecticut native relocated to the Vineyard with her sister Kyle two years ago, and has been working for the Conovers in one capacity or another ever since. Owner of a successful interior design business for 25 years (she still takes on a few clients), Ms. Rothery’s exceptional taste is evident as she describes the work. She has found an ideal match in her new position at the gallery.
“I just fell in love with the Conovers, and I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to create a kind of niche for myself at the Charlotte Inn. I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by this exquisite work and enjoy the peace and beauty of this lovely space.” The gallery is located at the edge of the Terrace restaurant’s outdoor garden dining area.
Among the artists represented by the gallery when it first opened in 1974 was the late Ray Ellis. One of the few traditionalists among successful Vineyard artists, Mr. Ellis won many accolades, and his work is included in the White House’s permanent collection. Since its early beginnings, the Edgartown Art Gallery has focused on traditional work, as opposed to contemporary fine art.
It would be impossible to do justice to the gallery’s stock with a mere cataloging of the collection, so suffice it to say that the work covers a number of themes including equestrian art, nature studies, downtown Edgartown scenes, landscapes (many of the Vineyard), depictions of tranquil rural villages and a few still lifes.
A number of the artists are frequent Charlotte Inn guests. Others have spent a good deal of time capturing Vineyard scenes during their visits to the Island. One artist from the former category, Thomas Kegler from western New York, is a renowned oil painter who is recognized as an Associate Living Master by the prestigious Art Renewal Center and is a member of the historic Salmagundi Art Club of New York. Mr. Kegler’s Vineyard paintings display a mastery of light, and an affinity for setting off a simple scene with a striking distant focal point like a sunset or lighthouse. His work clearly displays a love of the Vineyard and an understanding of the Island’s unique, serene beauty.
Another artist well represented in Mr. Conover’s collection is the New Hampshire–based Cindy House. Ms. House works in pastels, but the detail and clarity of her stunning landscapes belies the medium. Ms. House is a renowned wildlife artist, who has illustrated a number of bird books, including the National Geographic Society’s Guide to the Birds of North America. Many examples of her work can be found along one wall of the entryway to the Terrace restaurant.
Mr. Conover’s collection helps to establish the Inn’s ambience. The Relais & Châteaux inn has the feel of an English country estate from an earlier era. Everything from the tasteful landscaping to the imported mahogany paneling to the selection of antique silver pieces helps complete the Inn’s look and feel of Edwardian charm. The artwork lends the finishing touch.
The Inn’s elegant sitting room features a number of examples of equestrian art, as well as a collection of antique leather hat boxes. The front parlor boasts a large, ornate bird cage (home to a pair of parakeets), and is perhaps the most charming and inviting space in the Inn. The street-facing room is decorated with a number of exquisite works, including some nature studies, dog art, and maritime scenes.
Older works are mixed in with paintings by living artists. The unifying theme is a focus on the traditional, which sets the collection apart from other Island galleries. “Gery has an extraordinary collection,” says Ms. Rothery. “I don’t think it can be surpassed. It’s unique on this Island. There are many contemporary artists here, but Gery’s collection covers traditional art across the board, from oils to watercolors to pastels.”
“Clearly Gery has finely tuned aesthetics. One thing that he and I share is that he sees something, and it just resonates. He just has such a huge job running the inn. I think the gallery took a back seat. He’s clearly a prolific collector. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We photographed 50 images that are on the website [edgartownartgallery.com], but there’s a collection of over 250 pieces,” said Ms. Rothery.
On a busy summer day, a visit to the gallery, just steps away from the bustle of Main Street, will provide a nice relaxing break. The surroundings are peaceful, and the work has an equally soothing quality. The atmosphere makes the gallery a unique viewing experience, and Ms. Rothery’s gracious, welcoming manner inspires one to sit and relax with a knowledgeable and friendly connoisseur of fine art.
The Edgartown Art Gallery is located at 19 South Summer Street in Edgartown, between the Charlotte Inn and the offices of Martha’s Vineyard LandVest. The gallery is generally open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, but visitors are advised to call ahead to confirm. For directions and information, or to make an appointment, call 508-332-8336.