June 26, 2019
Future Brighter for Rodman Hall Art Centre
St. Catharines ON, For Immediate Release – The newly formed board of directors of Rodman Hall Art Centre Inc. has come together to work with Brock University to preserve the region’s premier public art museum.
Rodman Hall Art Centre Inc. is a community-based not-for-profit corporation whose first order of business is to develop a phased transition plan with Brock University to return the public art gallery back into community hands. This initiative is a constructive response to Brock University’s goal to reduce their financial obligation for the art museum.
Rodman Hall Art Centre Inc. is dedicated to ensuring the future excellence of Niagara’s award-winning professional art museum, and to provide inspiring contemporary art exhibitions and public programs. RHAC Inc. intends to raise funds from a wide variety of sources, engage community volunteers and leverage the historical home and gardens to create a cultural destination for residents and visitors to Niagara.
The founding Board of Directors of RHAC Inc. includes visual arts professionals, and business and civic leaders. They have worked with Brock representatives, community volunteers, and consultants to prepare for their role in Rodman Hall’s future.
“Much work has been done in the past two years to prepare for independent community governance and operation of Rodman Hall Art Centre,” states Jean Bridge, Chair of Rodman Hall Art Centre Inc. “Working with Brock University we are poised to strengthen Rodman Hall Art Centre’s role in the community while we continue to serve the students and faculty of Brock University.”
The Legacy of Rodman Hall
Rodman Hall Art Centre consists of the historical Thomas Rodman Merritt house, art collection and expansive public gardens sitting above Twelve Mile Creek and overlooking the Burgoyne Bridge that connects Rodman Hall to downtown St. Catharines. Established in 1960, countless volunteers and donors have contributed time, donations and art to the gallery, ensuring that the benefits of culture, heritage and nature are accessible to future generations at this unique Niagara destination.
Brock University has operated Rodman Hall Art Centre since 2003 and the facility is used by the general public as well as the students and faculty of Brock University for classes, studios and exhibitions.
Founding Members and Board of Directors of Rodman Hall Art Centre Inc.
Jean Bridge – Chair of RHAC inc. - Artist and Educator. Founder of nGen Niagara Interactive Media Generator, now Innovate Niagara and the Generator at One.
Ken Lucyshyn - Executive Vice-President, Aggregates & Construction at Walker Industries Holdings limited.
Reinhard Reitzenstein - Internationally renowned artist and associate professor of Sculpture at the University of Buffalo. Served on the Boards of MacMaster University Museum of Art and the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and Grimsby Art Gallery.
Darren Schmahl - Horticulturist and educator at Niagara Catholic District School Board and the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture. An authority on the history of the gardens at Rodman Hall and contributor to their current design.
Shawn Tylee - Manager, Corporate Affairs, Rankin Construction. Shawn specializes and brings a wealth of knowledge in Business Marketing, Strategic Planning, Client Relations and Contract Negotiations to our board.
Dr. Peter Vietgen - Associate Professor of Visual Arts Education in the Teacher Education Program at Brock University and the current President of the Canadian Society for Education through Art.
Contact:
Jean Bridge
Rodman Hall Art Centre Inc.
109 St Paul Crescent
St. Catharines ON L2S 1M3
Office: (905) 931-9633
jbridge4656@gmail.com
l to r: Darren Schmahl, Ken Lucyshyn, Reinhardt Reitzenstein,
Peter Vietgen (seated), Shawn Tylee, Jean Bridge. Image: Sandy Middleton Photography