After four and a half years as director/curator of Rodman Hall Art Centre, Stuart Reid is heading home to Owen Sound.

Reid is leaving his role at Brock University to become the executive director of the Community Foundation GreyBruce.

He said it will be a homecoming for him. He spent nine years as director and curator of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound and still owns a house in the community.

While Reid is looking forward to the new challenge that comes with a career change, he will miss Rodman Hall and the Niagara artists’ community.

“I have had the benefit of working with talented people at Rodman Hall,” he said. “We’ve been on the top of our game.”

Reid said he leaves Rodman Hall with a strong curatorial program, substantial additions to the art collection and a reputation for outstanding, award-winning exhibitions and publications.

And he said he didn’t do it alone. He had the help of staff, students, faculty, administration, volunteers and the community.

“While I’ve been here we’ve opened up Rodman Hall, focusing on community connections and building partnerships with other organizations,” he said.

“Rodman Hall offers substantially to the national discourse around contemporary Canadian art. Locally, it’s a community treasure.”

Dean of Humanities Carol Merriam said Brock has been fortunate to have someone of Reid’s calibre leading the team at Rodman Hall.

“The experience he brought to the position, and his leadership and vision, have helped to foster the vibrant arts scene in Niagara,” she said. “His work has been invaluable in the development of connections with the arts communities not only in Niagara, but provincially and nationally.”

She said Marcie Bronson, currently a curator at Rodman Hall, will be serving as acting director for the rest of 2016.