Welcome to our Online Collections Database!

The Rodman Art Collection is a compelling record of artistic expression, collecting and philanthropy in Canada and Niagara dating back to 1960 when Rodman Hall Art Centre was established by the community. This well-regarded collection includes paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, videos and suites and series of works by hundreds of artists. Twenty percent of the works in collection are certified as Canadian Cultural Property because they have been determined to be of significance to the nation.

The collection is a valuable resource for our community. While the collection includes some works by famous European artists such as Picasso, Chagall and Matisse, the focus is Canadian artists. This includes not only the famed Group of Seven artists but also Canadian artists from the early 19th C through to those living today. In addition, the Collection contains works by leading modern and contemporary artists from across Canada. Artists with ties to the region comprise a very significant portion of the collection. This attention to influential Ontario and Niagara artists makes the Rodman Art Collection the only one where the sweep of regional artistic practice is preserved.

Many of the works in the collection were donated by community members, collectors, and artists themselves. Others were purchased with funds raised by the community. Over the past 20 years, Rodman Hall Art Centre continued to collect new artworks by leading artists prominent today.

Tips for Searching

Keyword Search

The Keyword Search button allows you to perform a general search across multiple fields for any catalog records online. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.

Advanced Search

The Advanced Search button can help you be more specific with your search. You can search for a word or phrase within a particular search category or use multiple categories to further narrow down your search results. For example, searching White in the People field will bring up any records associated with a member of the White family, without having to sift through black & white photographs. You can also search People and Creator records through Advanced Search. Phrase searching with quotes and use of wildcards (*) are available in Advanced Search.

Random Images

The Random Images button is a great way to just browse the collection. Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the records online. If something piques your interest, click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.

Catalog Searches (Archives / Photos / Libraries / Objects)

The catalog buttons can also help narrow down your search, by only searching with a selected catalog. If you only want to search for Photos, click the Photos button and type in your keyword(s) or phrase. You can also browse records within that catalog without performing a search. Phrase searching, wildcards (*) as well as AND/OR statements are available when performing catalog searches.