Oscar winning artist in our Uxbridge community

Yes, that's right, we have an Oscar winning Cinematographer living in Uxbridge community and is on the Celebration of the Arts executive committee - Christopher Chapman. Not only is he an oscar winner, he has also had another nomination. NOT only that - he also has been awarded the Order of Canada.

He is also a director, editor, producer, photographer, artist and just an all round GREAT GUY!!!!

Christopher and his wife, Glen, have been involved in the Celebration of the Arts committee for a number of years, and are very hard working and diligent members of numerous art support groups in the area. During one of the Celebration's event this past year, there was a night of Celebrating Christopher's contribution to the as the pioneer of the method of filming seen in his Oscar winning documentary film "A Place To Stand". Yes, some of you might remember that as the film that was shown during the Expo 67 shown at the Ontario Pavilion in Montreal.

The evening was filled with so many aspects of Christopher's life, his accomplishments and his wondrous contributions to the arts. There were guest speakers, showing of the pivotal "A Place to Stand" but also other pieces he has done. Just a tribute to this wonderful man.

And you got to see his twin brother and wonder "Which one is Christopher and who's hand do I shake?". It is a privilege to know Christopher and Glen, and even more of a joy to be able to spend time with them as a hard working couple on the Celebration of the Arts Committee.

Now a wonderful story to tell you how humble this icon in filming really is.

Two years ago during the promotion time for Celebration of the Arts, our local bookstore - Blue Heron Books - asked Christopher if they could show his Oscar statue with the promotion for a Short Film Festival that is done every year (now that is for another blog), and I happened to meet Christopher just outside of the store entrance. In his hand was the Oscar, wrapped in a LCBO bag, so that people wouldn't see what he was carrying. He did not have a proper bag for it as the case disappeared some time ago. There in his hand, on the street in Uxbridge, was a true and genuine Oscar statue, being carried in a LCBO bag. Needless to say, I found Christopher a lovely, non-descript and very discrete flannel bag to keep his Oscar in when it travelled. Your secrets safe with me Christopher.