About Us & Riverdog Studio/ Gallery

About Us

Deborah Banyas (B.A. Baldwin-Wallace College) and T.P. Speer (B.F.A., M.A. Northern Illinois University, M.F.A. Ohio State University) have lived the lives of independent artists since their marriage in 1976. In 1979 T.P. resigned his position as a tenured assistant professor at a liberal arts college in order to devote full-time to studio work. The next several years he plied his trade as a graphic artist (printmaker, painter and illustrator) while Deborah, upon her graduation from college, dabbled in a number of fields including printmaking, photography and quilt making. During the 1980's, the couple began studying and collecting American and Mexican folk art and their passion for the material began to rub off on their own artwork. Deborah began a series of sewn/stuffed/painted figures that proved to be popular with collectors. The addition of polymer clay, wood and metals to the mix increased both the variety and popularity of the work to the extent that T.P. joined her to collaborate in the business. Though both artists have conceptual input into each piece, Deborah concentrates on the sewn/stuffed wall pieces while T.P. works mostly on the wood/clay/metal works in addition to his graphic work.

The 2012 Riverdog Studio Open House will be held on October 6 & 7, noon until 5 pm.

As usual it will be held in conjunction with the Breuer Pottery Fall Open House, so it will provide a great opportunity to spend a fun day in the country. Our neighboring wineries will be open on Saturday while Oberlin has plenty of good places to eat and additional activities to fill out both days. APIAS will again be on hand to present our complementary wine tasting and tasty snacks.There are 1 1/2 miles of trails on the property and the "Bad Baby of Gore Orphanage" can be counted on to make an appearance. Bring some friends and make a day of it!

About Riverdog

Located on 20 acres hugging the East Fork of the Vermilion River and surrounded by the 500 acre Firelands Reserve, Riverdog is a lush and diverse environment consisting of woodland, meadow and wetland.

The property was first settled as a mid-ninteenth century farmstead and was used as a summer camp in the mid-twentieth century. After a few ownership changes, artists Deborah Banyas and T.P. Speer purchased the property (1998) and have converted the old camp building into studio/gallery space. The century house and a newer house on the property have been renovated, furnished and decorated in unique fashion for accommodations. Riverdog was awarded a Lorain County Beautiful Award for 2010.

Photos by Tanya Rosen-Jones, Deborah Banyas & T.P. Speer

Directions to Riverdog

Click here for directions

Our area of the Vermilion Valley is starting to becoming an exciting wine producing area. Although our grape growing is limited to some decorative vines and the racoons steal all the grapes, we are members of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. Come spend a day in the country and stop into these wineries that know what they are doing:

Vermilion Valley Vineyards www.vermilionvalleyvineyards.com

Paper Moon Vineyards www.papermoonvineyards.com

Matus Winery www.matuswinery.us

Quarry Hill Winery www.quarryhillwinery.org