Friends of Safari Niagara

ROD DOWLING

Rod Dowling is the creator of Canada's largest steel sculpture collection by one artist, on exhibit indefinitely at Safari Niagara. As you stroll through the grounds of Safari Niagara, you will see various steel sculptures of all shapes, sizes and colours. They were all created by this one prolific artist. Born in Tasmania in 1928, Mr. Dowling was educated in Australia. His passion for art and the development of his own talent and unique style of found art (using recycled metal) emerged through a lifetime of travel and experience. His passion to create and his quest to find a place to show his work culminated in a collaboration with the Tykolis family, owners of Safari Niagara. He was given an on-site outdoor studio where he spent 10 years creating most of the 200 pieces currently on permanent loan to the park. He retired in 2007 at the age of 80.

STEPHANIE FREEMAN

Stephanie Freeman has been photographing the inhabitants of Safari Niagara since the park’s humble beginnings. Her passion for capturing the beauties and the beasts, first on film and then digitally, grew as the park developed from a dusty, clay tract of land in the mid 1990s. Through her camera’s lens she watched as the grounds evolved into a lush, green parkland with ponds, trees, plantings and enclosures for some of the world’s most breathtaking birds and animals. Stephanie's photos of the animals and activities are frequently published in marketing publications, advertising and are featured on this website. She is also the videographer and producer of the promotional videos used throughout this website.