The pomp and fanfare of opening and closing Olympic ceremonies are, for some, the highlights of the Games, and their plans are held as a closely guarded secret to maintain their grandeur. One Squamish resident, however, has an inside track into what VANOC may have in store for the world. Glenne Campbell was among 100 respected leaders in Canada's artistic scene, representing some of the country's most influential artists, cultural and theatrical practitioners, directors, writers, designers and community leaders, gathering in Vancouver over the course of three weekends - starting Feb. 1 - to participate in six Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games ceremonies symposia. "It was such a buzz, an incredible variety of performance artists, big lead players in the Canadian arts scene," said Campbell. "It was really cool." Hoping to help "put Squamish on the map," Campbell invited many of the individuals she met and connected with to visit "the heart of 2010."Campbell is a widely respected artist, and is recognized for her work in costume design on television shows such as Battlestar Galactica. She also brought a level of expertise to the symposium as a costume design organizer for the 1988 Calgary Olympics' opening ceremonies. Campbell said her experience leading 2,600 volunteers in 1988 was one she'll never forget. "We called in the sew-lympics because we made costumes for 6,000-plus performers. We all cried when it was over."The event still resonates today. Juno-award winning Feist was among the 1,000 dancers in the opening ceremonies of the Calgary Olympics when she was 12 years old, and cites the experience as the inspiration for the video of her hit song "1234."Campbell was unable to divulge details of the brainstorming sessions for 2010 ceremonies, citing a confidentiality agreement, but she is allowed to share the theme: "Canada in the 21st century." Despite her inside information, however, even she may not know what to expect until opening day."We really begged them, we begged them all just as Canadians to let us know what the ending would be or what all of the ideas were. And I don't know that they want to disclose that."Participants had to keep the required elements of Olympic ceremonies in mind, such as the lighting of the Olympic flame, the parade of athletes, the raising of the Olympic flag, as well as other spectacular elements, such as pyrotechnics, costumes, music and anthems. And ideas from locals may be represented since Campbell asked some residents to share their thoughts on the theme before the meeting."I think a lot of people were like 'Oh my goodness that's a big subject.' I did have some fun responses, and almost everybody's first response was environment."Squamish residents have found and are continuing to find ways to get involved in 2010, said Campbell, who encourages all participation possible. "I'm just a real proponent for the Olympic movement. I don't want to call it the Olympics because what that does is it gives it a time reference and a location reference and if we term it the Olympic movement then people might look into the history and the future and bredth of it a little bit more."The Olympic movement is all about the possible, and holy crow, Squamish has been the blank page for the possible to happen."
