by Chaney Ferguson The Times of SWLA
The Zigler Museum is one of Jennings’ hidden gems. It is
located on tree-lined Clara Street in the heart of Jennings’
residential area.
In 1908, George Boyum Zigler, a haberdasher from North Dakota,
moved his family to Jennings after being told by doctors that
he only had six months left to live. The Ziglers bought the
turn of the century style mansion from the Haber family, and
George went on to live another thirty-four years.
During those years he invested in many local businesses such as a towing and dredging service, a tire and tractor company,
oil drilling, and rice farming. All of his endeavors
contributed to the development of the oil industry in the
area.
Fred B. Zigler, George’s son, took over the family business
and continued in his father’s philanthropic undertakings. He
added the Zigler Flying Service, which was one of the first
agricultural flight services of its kind. When Fred married
Ruth they moved into the family home on Clara Street.
In 1963, three years after Fred’s death, Ruth
carried out her dream of forming a cultural center in the area. She set up a
trust fund and donated her home to be used as the museum. Ruth
added the East and West wings to the original structure in
1969. The following year The Zigler Museum officially opened.
At the time, the museum consisted of less than twenty works of
art, nine Louisiana wildlife dioramas, and a few artifacts.
Since the original opening, the museum has acquired many new
pieces including over two hundred European, American, and
Louisiana works of art, as well as a widespread assortment of
wildlife art.
“The director has always lived in the building,” said Dolores
Spears.
Spears, the current director, began by volunteering at the
museum and eventually became the secretary in 1986. The
following year she was the acting director.
“I do whatever needs to be done,” said Spears, “From washing the dishes to giving tours.”
The museum tries to promote Louisiana artists. Several
Louisiana artists included in the permanent collection are:
Audubon, Drysdale, Clementine Hunter, Knute Heldner, Robert
Rucker, Elton Louviere, and Ellsworth Woodward.
According to Spears the most difficult part of featuring local
and regional artists is choosing between all the great talent.
The museum contains the largest public exhibit of African
American artist, William Tolliver. Jane Miller has worked at
Zigler for the past four years and she is very impressed with
Tolliver’s use of colors in his work.
“He’s self-taught. That’s amazing to me,” said Miller.
The West Wing of the museum displays six centuries of European
and American works by such artists as VanDyck, Rembrandt,
Durer, de Vlaminck, Inness, Whistler, Pissaro, Constable,
Helen Turner, Bierstadt, and Jambor.
“You might recognize Jambor’s work. He illustrated Little
Women,” said Miller.
Zigler Art Museum is full of big names, all tucked away in the
quaint little town of Jennings. Miller and Spears laugh about
how art lovers from all over the country come to Jennings to
see the original pieces, but some locals don’t even know it
exists or like some, may not have a love of art.
“One man came in the other day to fix something,” said Spears.
“He looked around and said the paintings didn’t do anything
for him.”
Fundraiser dinners are held in the West Wing. Guests pay $100
a plate to eat among the beautiful pieces and listen to art
aficionados.
In addition to hosting fundraisers, Miller and Spears lead
children’s tours during the year. Spears engages the children
by stopping in front of a particular painting of a family in
the kitchen and asking the children if the depicted family is
poor.
“The children look at the painting and see the cracked walls
and say yes, the family is poor,” said Spears. “Then I point
to the violin on the wall and other objects in the painting to
show the possessions the family has, revealing that they are
rich.”
In the East Wing, where the Louisiana wildlife dioramas are
exhibited, the children have questions of their own.
“Sometimes the children ask me if the birds are real,” said
Miller. “When I tell them no, they ask why I killed them.”
The museum doesn’t limit itself to reaching children through
tours. An art camp is provided during the summer. The camp
provides the opportunity for children to express their
creative side and possibly use what they have learned from the
guided tours.
“All the supplies are included in the price,” said Spears.
The Zigler Museum Gift Shop features more than just postcard
souvenirs. Replicas of favorite pieces are available for
purchase, either framed or unframed. The shop also includes
jewelry, pottery, art books, cookbooks, porcelain, and wood
carvings.
If you are interested in visiting the Zigler Art Museum, it is located at 411 Clara Street, Jennings, LA. For information call (337) 824-0114 or go to ZiglerArtMuseum.com. The hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm.
