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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER W e dn es da y, N ov em be r 1 0, 2 01 0 2 4 Artscene By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER An Oakville dancer is going to have herwork cut out for her when she headsto Poland next month. The 14-year-old Emily Chai will be com- peting in a variety of dance contests, includ- ing as a member of the first-ever Canadian Junior Ballet Team. In addition to the ballet, the dancer will compete with the Junior Jazz Team and the Junior Modern Team. This is my first time competing in a international competition and I am very excited, the Grade 10 T. A. Blakelock High School student said in an e-mail. I cannot wait to meet dancers from all around the world and also I am excited to be competing at a new level of competition. Chai is on a team of eight young area bal- lerinas, ranging in age from 10-16, wholl be competing as Team Canada on the world stage. Between now and Dec. 5, long weekend rehearsals lie ahead for Justina Aveyard, 16, Jessica Penman, 14, Alicia Kransewitz, 15, Melani Pryde, 15, Jennifer Allen, 15, Killeen Leitch, 13, Rebecca Arbon, 13, Katherine Allen, 10 and Chai, all of whom study dance at the Lynne McCarthy School of Dance in Burlington. They are heading to Mikolajki, Poland for what is considered the Olympics of the dance world and will represent Canada in the junior ballet competition. They are among 68 Canadians who will compete in a variety of dance styles and age groups. Dancers from 90 other countries will also be vying for the titles that include jazz, mod- ern and contemporary styles in the week- long competition that runs from Dec. 8-12. Team Canada junior ballet team will present its interpretation of parts of the clas- sical Russian ballet called La Bayad. Surprisingly with the long rehearsals I Local ballerina to compete in Poland Art exhibit brings an Oakville familys war stories to life REHEARSING TO WIN: Oakville ballet dancer Emily Chai will be among a contingent from a Burlington dance studio to compete on stage in Poland next month. 33 By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The chair and owner of the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre is particularly attached to the current exhibit at the facility. But unlike other art exhibits, none of the originals will be for sale. That is because those works represent a part of Sybil Rampens history. The ongoing exhibit features the history of six of Rampens relatives including her father who went to war; some of whom returned to tell their stories and some who did not. I inherited this archive and I grew up with a father who was very damaged by the war, but who overcame his mental illness and became an artist and a poet and a cheerful and wonderful man, Rampen said. This is the man that she is honouring with the exhibit. For me it was a tribute and honouring his courage and his fortitude and how he turned his life around and to make an example for other people who undergo such tragedies and trau- mas so it gives them hope. Its to make an exam- ple for people who have undergone great diffi- culties so that they can become very creative and live a very happy life in spite of everything. The exhibit, titled Gone to War, features the artworks of three individuals who returned from war and found a new meaning in life as well as original war materials of all six of Rampens relatives who took part in campaigns during the Boer Wars as well as the First and Second World Wars. Its interesting for people to come and see the history of an actual Oakville family, said Heather Hannan, who works at the centre. The art consists of works by Rampens father Hugh Calverley, and two aunts Amice Calverley and Bettina Calverley Somers. Hugh fought in the First World War and was an award-winning officer. Amice was an Egyptologist who joined the Womens Auxiliary Air Force in the Second World War and Bettina was a nurse and artist and became a map tracer for the military. After each of them returned home, they began to paint and the exhibit features their works. Theres just this energy of happiness and I can truly appreciate seeing through their eyes and their world, said Hannan. Instead of look- ing at the past, its a looking forward and enjoy- ing the present. For me I think when you have been through horrific and traumatic times, you do learn an appreciation for the now and that it doesnt matter what happened before, you dont know what will happen in the future. The originals are not for sale, but Rampen said that Giclreprints will be available. The exhibit closes Nov. 21. The centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment at 1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E. For information, visit www.joshuacreekarts.com. See Dance page 25