It’s difficult to describe a total solar eclipse. A 2017 Wired article called it an “an experience that does not seem of this life or this world.” In a recent Washington Post article, one interviewee described it simply as “ineffable.” Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.

That immense feeling of awe is what curator Thea Spittle wanted to capture in “Cosmic Glow,” a new art exhibit at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s gallery (1565 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula). 

“It is this very unique moment in time that forces us as people to be present in the moment,” Spittle said.

When selecting pieces for the exhibit, Spittle broke down the eclipse into four components – moon, sun, light and shadow – and sought out artists who incorporated those elements into their art.

“Cosmic Glow” features 15 pieces, all from Northeast Ohio artists: Aja Joi Grant, Amber Kempthorn, Chen Peng, Theadis Reagins and Lyanne Torres. The exhibit features photography, painting and sculpture. Each work urges viewers to take a moment and consider the natural beauty of the world, from the moon’s detailed shadows and craters in Peng’s “My Moon” to Reagins’ bold religious rendering “Annunciation.”

“I thought about artists whose work dealt with some of those elements, whether in … subject matter, like a literal sense, or also thinking about the way that the eclipse can bring spiritual, meditative qualities,” Spittle said. “So thinking about artwork that really helps us understand what it’s like to be present and understand the nuances of the eclipse that happen with light especially.”

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Cleveland-based Museum of Creative Human Art and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. When the Boston Mill Visitor Center relocated to a new building across the river in 2019, the conservancy moved the Boston Store into the former visitor center. And
the former Boston Store building became “The Gallery,” as it’s simply known. 

Solar eclipse planning in the park leads to exhibit

“In the park, we’ve been planning for [the solar eclipse] for over a year with the understanding that we could see record visitation and knowing that people look to national parks as a source for learning about the natural world,” said Lindsay Regan, the conservancy’s park experiences director. “So we were developing programming and planning for this to focus on the science, but we thought, why not take this opportunity to have an arts-focused experience to just really enrich the experience we’ll all be having together here in Northeast Ohio?”

The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park has hosted other art exhibitions, but Regan said this is the first official one in the new gallery space. The Museum of Creative Human Art will host two more gallery exhibits this year.

Antwoine Washington, the organization’s co-founder and artistic director, is a longtime friend of Spittle’s who is an independent curator. Having worked with her in the past, he brought her on for this project. 

The Museum of Creative Human Art is focused on connecting with the community through art and providing opportunities for those in the local arts community. Washington said this partnership with the national park will give people the opportunity to experience art in a new setting.

“This is another way to actually bring awareness and bring folks out to also enjoy green space in a different way. I think most people are like, ‘OK, where is Peninsula?’” Washington said, referring to the village nestled inside the park. “So you get these questions, and people are actually very inquisitive about where everything’s taken place. I think it’s a great time to just bring people in to learn about the history of the park.”

“Cosmic Glow” opens to the public Saturday, March 30 and is on display until Monday, May 27. For more information, visit conservancyforcvnp.org.