Sybil Rampen was 20-years-old when her father bought a large parcel of land in north Oakville,  back in 1950. The 14-acre oasis of meadows and trees immediately had Sybil’s heart, and she envisioned that maybe one day, the grounds would be home to an arts centre. 

In 2008, that dream came true with the opening of the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre. Sybil, who turns 91 in April, is an accomplished artist and writer and wanted to provide a space that would inspire and nurture creative talent. The centre itself is located inside a converted barn, with the original structure built in 1852. 

Since opening almost 12 years ago, thousands of people have visited the gorgeous site and enjoyed the many unique workshops and courses. The courses include Sound Bath Meditation, designed to soothe the soul, relax the mind, and inspire a creative awakening, an art course where participants create ink from foraged plants and avocado stones, and a writing workshop that helps unleash the power of creativity.  

But, perhaps the most unique class is the Kintsugi Bowl workshop, which is based on ancient Japanese healing practices. Instructor Rami Shami has been leading classes across the country for several years and said the workshop is especially helpful for people who work in the field of bereavement and palliative care, such as Personal Support Workers, clergy, physicians, and grief counsellors. 

In the first of two workshops, participants break a bowl, and the second workshop focuses on gluing it back together again. While it sounds simple, Rami said participants practice deep listening during the process, and can even slow down and deepen their brainwaves and heartbeats. Many people, especially those who have been through a deep loss, find it very therapeutic.

“The experience creates somewhat of a ripple or an echo in peoples’ lives that leaves them shifted, to some measure,” said Rami. The magic happens, he continued, when the “process accesses the subconscious mind and draws up, in a safe and facilitated manner, any harboured expressions or feelings.”  The potency of the shift is determined by the depth of the person’s engagement. “Most everyone walks away feeling different, like something has shifted or changed about them,” said Rami.

The bowl workshop is representative of many workshops offered at the art centre. However, you don’t have to participate in a course to enjoy the centre – anyone can drop by. In the gallery, there are rotating exhibits, one of which includes an art exhbit by special needs artists, showcasing the different ways they see and experience the world. 

Many come to the Spring and Holiday Handmade Markets while others rent the barn, which was rebuilt into a pioneer gallery, for  weddings and retreats. The gallery has space for films, workshops, receptions, book launches, lectures, meetings, and tea parties. 

Then there’s the 11-circuit labyrinth that’s based on the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in France. The path through the labyrinth is perfect for meditating, exercising, or just taking a walk in a country setting. It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. 

There is also farmland available to members who want to rent affordable plots for growing organic herbs, fruit, and vegetables. Some of the fruit and vegetables are donated to needy families. 

Those wanting to visit the centre can sign-up for a group tour called Tea and Tours – an opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea in a “welcoming and engaging atmosphere.” 

Anyone interested in participating can email: info@JoshuaCreekArts.com or call 905-257-4730. 

Whatever it is that takes you to the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre, chances are that when you leave, you’ll walk out feeling inspired and reconnected with yourself.

by Denise Davy

Local Link

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre
joshuacreekarts.com

It’s impossible to miss the newly reconstructed Joseph Brant Museum that’s perched high on a mound at a major intersection in Downtown Burlington.

The new museum, at the corner of Maple Avenue and North Shore Boulevard East, represents the culmination of almost two years of construction that cost more than $11.4 million. 

While the exterior of the white two-storey museum looks much the same, inside it’s a new expanded version of its former self, and includes a modern addition that’s built into the grassy area under the old structure.

It’s little wonder the costs for the reconstruction, which were shared between the City of Burlington, the Federal and Provincial governments, and Joseph Brant Museum Foundation, were so high. The new square footage of the museum is 17,000 square feet, with contractor Aquicon Construction adding more than 12,000 square feet of space.The added space will allow the museum to host national exhibitions and there’s more room for gallery displays and interactive programming. Inside, there are three permanent galleries as well as a programming area for school groups and education programs, plus a collection of more than 25,000 items that includes historical costumes, artifacts, and archival materials, all of which are enjoyed by the 18,000 plus visitors the museum currently
receives a year.   

The new museum is completely accessible and includes an elevator to the second-floor roof garden and to the Joseph Brant home.

The history of Joseph Brant and the museum are important parts of Burlington’s history and that’s why the renovation, which has literally heightened the museum’s profile, are so important. Joseph Brant, “Thayendanegea”, was a Mohawk and British army captain who was born in March 1743. His name in the Mohawk language means “two wagers (sticks) bound together for strength” or “he who places two bets.”

According to the Burlington Museums Foundation, Brant fought for the British from the age of 13 and was said to have distinguished himself as a courageous warrior.  In 1798, to commemorate Joseph Brant’s loyalty for his services during the Seven Years War and the American Revolution, King George III granted Brant and his followers 3,450 acres at what was then known as the head-of-the-lake (Burlington Bay).

Brant built the Brant Mansion, a two-storey Georgian style home, at the head of Lake Ontario, which was later known as Wellington Square.
When Brant died on November 2, 1807, after a short illness at the age of 64, he was remembered as a leader who had advocated for his people.

Canadian historian, James Paxton, has written that Brant chose not to fight against European colonization as he understood it was inevitably going to happen. Instead, he chose to secure the best future for his people by seeking to accommodate the Europeans.

In 1888, Brant’s two-storey home sold and was turned into the Brant House Hotel resort, which was the beginning of Burlington becoming a popular place for summer visitors. The Joseph Brant Museum was built in 1937 to honour Brant as the first citizen of Burlington and the official opening was May 22, 1942. The earlier museum was a replica of Brant’s house.   

Some downtown streets, including John and Elizabeth, were named after Brant’s children, and Brant Street and the Tyandaga neighbourhood were named in his honour.

Organizers who attended the September 15th grand opening described the new museum as the culmination of a 25-plus year dream and said the current location for the museum will likely be it’s last.

As Burlington MP Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, said of the importance of the museum, “Knowing our history helps us create a brighter future.”

The first exhibition at the museum is the Canadian premiere of “Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball” from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

by Denise Davy

For more information on upcoming events: https://museumsofburlington.ca/events/