Reveling in Peninsula's Glory
Where Creativity is Sparked by Nature

We never made it to the white-tent exhibits near the ski slopes of Boston Mills for the Boston Mills Arts Festival this year. We saw plenty of art, inspired by nature, in Peninsula. We would have missed an afternoon of discovering Peninsula if not for my quest to see the Summer Mindscapes exhibit at the Log Cabin Gallery. Award-winning photographer Diane Seskes sent me a Log Cabin Gallery announcement after I thanked her for the beautiful misty-valley photo cards I purchased at Loganberry Books.

Peninsula was once a Canal Town and a railroad stop. Lock 29, the ruins of Moody and Thomas Mill on the Cuyahoga, and an old railcar reminded us of that history as we walked along the railroad tracks from the parking lot. At the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad Station, a prominent sign announced that bicyclists can ride the train for $2. Peninsula has become a cycler’s destination, evidenced by the number of mobile cyclists and immobile bikes we had to meander around on our way to Main Street.

But we also discovered how much Peninsula has become an artist’s enclave. Elements Gallery, housed in an old wood building east of the tracks, was filled with beautiful Valley-inspired mosaic tiles, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. I overheard the tile artist-hostess say “the Cuyahoga Valley has so much to offer” as she went on to show another customer how nature inspires local artists’ work.

Once outside again, I was noticed the Peninsula Art Academy. Peninsula was starting to have a theme beyond canal boats and railcars. People are learning and doing art in the Valley.

At Main Street (otherwise known as Route 303), we headed west past the busy Century Cycles and over the flower festooned bridge over the River. We were intrigued by Anna Gerrodette’s Art Glass (glassinnovation.com), but the stained glass studio with its innovative art was disappointingly closed.

The Log Cabin Gallery (http://www.thelogcabingallery.com), where Diane Seskes’ work is shown by appointment and seasonally with art by other local artists, is at 1850 North Main, behind Diane’s home. The North Carolinian cabin was transported to the site of a cabin collector in Peninsula before it was moved to its present site overlooking the Valley. We watched an oil painter in front of an easel capture the log cabin on canvas as she tried to decide where to place the dangling mirrored mobiles designed by the artist who greeted us on arrival. The Valley ignites Diane’s creativity, as she states in her brochure: “The Cuyahoga valley is my center of the universe... I can walk out of my door and enter a preserved natural world.” My eye was taken upward to the rafters where a dozen foot-high log cabins marched in a row—they were collected from artists and yard sales. How fun was that?

Our next stop was Yellow Creek Trading Co. The shop was full of comforting household items from linens to homemade jams to upholstered furniture. On the walls near the door was a mural painted when the shop opened. The shop’s proprietor, the manager or owner I assumed, said the buildings are actual Peninsula structures meandering along the River and the road but not at their precise locations.

Crooked River Herb Farm’s Kathleen Varba was the featured guest at Yellow Creek. I was disappointed to learn the herb farm (http://www.crookedriverherbfarm.net) no longer participates in the Park System’s farming program, but Kathleen now has time to develop her products. I sampled and bought a jar of cranberry jalapeno jelly to spread over cream cheese on crackers. Other products included violet & lavender jelly, toasted pecan basil pesto, and lemon thyme infused honey. The crooked river’s low farmland inspires original farming and cooking, forms of art beyond the visual.

Across the street stands The Bronson Memorial Church (http://www.bronsonchurch.com). It was built in 1939 before Peninsula was an official place. The Bronson family, who settled on land in Boston Township where Peninsula now settles, built the church, which has known the town since its prosperous canal days. Now owned and maintained by the Robert L. Hunker Historic Preservation Foundation, the Western Reserve-style church was renovated during the Victorian era. The interior of polished wooden pews and black walnut floors make it a warm and old-fashioned place for special occasions, although its purpose is for worship and meditation.

The blue-gray wooden building at Riverview Road and Main Street (Route 303) is engraved with “High School.” The old high school houses the Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum. Inside, we were alone with displays showing a timeline and historical highlights like boatyards, ice houses, and brickworks. A series of captioned photos captures how the town dealt with natural disasters and the characters of the town’s history, which include a cartoonist, a baseball player, and an inventor.

Of course, we had to find out what beer was on tap at our favorite Winking Lizard (http://www.winkinglizard.com) -- the popular local watering hole collective is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Sitting at a table in the bar, we studied a nearby photo on the wall and saw that Scotty’s, which we just read about at the Museum, once stood where the Lizard is now. Peninsula does a great job of showing itself to visitors.

Next year, we’ll have to spend an entire weekend so we can spend time at the Boston Mills Arts Festival AND downtown Peninsula. We have yet to see Heritage Farms, the Kilted Yak, The Ewe Tree Weavers, the Downtown Emporium, and Curious Masks. I’m pretty sure my creative spirit will be sparked by the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley and the town’s commitment to the artist’s way.

Visit http://www.explorepeninsula.com for information.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia J. Taller ctallerwritesATwowway.com

Claudia's musings can be found at http://claudiatallermusings.blogspot.com.

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