What's New at the Helson Gallery
Check out the Fall 2025 flyer to learn about current and upcoming exhibitions and programs.
The Georgetown Branch Lobby Elevator is out of service while maintenance is being conducted. Please speak with the staff person at the Welcome Desk if you need assistance entering the building.
Located at 9 Church St. in Georgetown, the Helson Gallery offers a variety of programming such as exhibitions, events, workshops and more.
9 Church St., Georgetown, ON L7G 2A3
Gallery Hours
- Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteer docents are present in the Gallery subject to availability.
2025 at the Helson Gallery
Past Exhibitions
Image: Detail of Stephanie Schirm - COVID window
Holiday Show and Sale
We invite local artists to submit work for the upcoming Holiday Show and Sale, on display at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre - Upper Sisnett Lobby, from December 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026.
Currently on view in the Helson Gallery
The Colours of HER-story
September 4 to October 19, 2025
This exhibition takes you into the third chapter of women’s lives; a journey into the later years that are full of depth, growth, and self-discovery. Instead of being seen through the traditional male gaze, these works reflect a female perspective that’s honest, personal and powerful.
Artists Stephanie Schirm and Sian Gordon use bold, vibrant colours to express the richness of their current experiences. Their paintings are full of emotion and insight, offering a fresh and inspiring look at what it means to be a woman at this stage in life.
SPECIAL EVENT: All welcome! Exhibition reception on Thursday, September 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Helson Gallery. Meet with artists and enjoy live music.
Stephanie Schirm, Unfiltered Freedom
Currently on view in the Sisnett Lobby
Art for the Birds
September 23 to October 19 in the Upper Sisnett Lobby
In partnership with Bird Friendly Halton Hills, this show presents the artistic talent of local artists while raising awareness of birds in the Halton Hills area. Bird subjects include both resident and migratory birds that can be found in the local area. This year’s show coincides with Round 2 of voting for the Town of Halton Hills' official bird and will spotlight the three finalists: Eastern Screech Owl, Great Blue Heron, and Northern Cardinal, as voted by the community.
Several events will take place in conjunction with this exhibition, including:
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Anishnaabe Bird Names Guided Walk with Joseph Pitawanakwat and Junaid Kahn of Creators Garden.
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An opening reception on Saturday, October 4, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in collaboration with Creators Garden and Culture Days 2025.
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A closing reception will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. in the Helson Gallery, where we will announce the winning bird. Please check back for more details.
Kathleen Bignell, Great Blue Heron
Landscapes from the Town’s Art Collection
September 24 to October 19 in the Lower Sisnett Lobby
This exhibition features landscape artworks from the Town of Halton Hills’ Art Collection, showcasing a range of styles from historical to contemporary artists. The Town of Halton Hills Permanent Art Collection includes over 800 works in a wide range of mediums. All the works in this collection have been given to the Town through private donations or purchased with donated funds.
Hanna Okminska Wisniewska, 2 pink trees, green grass, blue sky, oil on canvas. Promised gift of Dale and Dave Cox
Currently on view in the Mayor's Showcase
Square Foot Show and Sale
Enjoy the creativity of local artists as they tackle the challenge of working within a 12” x 12” format.
This exhibition is organized in association with the Credit Valley Artisans.
The Mayor's Showcase is located at Town Hall, 1 Halton Hills Drive, Georgetown
Plein Air Challenge Winners Announced!
Award Winners from the Plein Air Event held at the Acton Fall Fair Saturday, September 20, 2025. Congratulations to all who participated!
First Place – Kishor Sonawane
Second Place – David Abbott
Third Place – Ted Yao
Honourable Mention – Kate Allan
Acton Agricultural Society and People's Choice Awards – Ildefonso Gonzaga
Photo Gallery: PleinAir2025Winners will appear here on the public site.
First Place - Kishor Sonawane
Workshops and Drop-In Sessions
Drawing in the Gallery
September 17 to December 10, 2025, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Every Wednesday afternoon in the Helson Gallery, connect with local artists and hone your figure drawing skills with these free, self-directed sessions.
Mixed Media Art Workshop:
Figuratively! With Local Artist, Stephanie Schirm
Friday October 3, 2025, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Explore a fun and creative approach to portrait and figurative art! This workshop in the Studio begins with a warm-up exercise and guides you through, using a variety of materials—from paint and drawing tools to patterns and line work. You’ll learn how to work expressively from photographs to create a unique, non-traditional art piece.
No previous portrait drawing or painting experience is needed. $35 per participant, materials included.
Please email helsongallery@haltonhills.ca to register.
Stephanie Schirm, Runway
Always Imagine Wire Art Workshop with James Paterson
Friday, October 10, 2025
Join James and Lynn Paterson for a hands-on wire art workshop inspired by James’ picture book Saturday Morning. During the Storytime in the Helson Gallery, James will read from Saturday Morning and invite participants to interact with his sculpture The Storytelling Machine. Storytime is open to all-ages, and will run at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
In the workshop, participants create their own wire art with guidance from James and Lynn. This workshop is in partnership with the Halton Hills Public Library in the Studio as part of their Children’s Festival and is free.
Click here for more information or to register for the 10 am to 12 pm session (ages 7 to 12)
Click here for more information or to register 1:30 to 3:30 pm (ages 13 to 18)
James Paterson with The Storytelling Machine
The Helson Gallery & Collection
The Helson Gallery features rotating exhibitions of local art, private collections and travelling exhibitions. Curated shows are also exhibited in the Sisnett Lobby of the Cultural Centre, the Georgetown and Acton Library branches and Town Hall.
Gallery staff care for and maintain the Helson, Town and Library Art Collections, offer a variety of community programs and events throughout the year, and provide opportunities for artists to sell their work. The Town’s art collections continue to grow with the support of generous donors.
At the heart of the Helson Gallery is Frederick A. Helson's outstanding gift of art to the Town of Halton Hills which tells the story of how Canada's artistic identity was forged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As revealed through paintings by members of the Group of Seven, their predecessors and contemporaries, the Helson Collection also allows us to trace the evolution of the various organizations which supported artists during this critical time period. Additionally, an important group of European paintings afford valuable insights into artistic trends which paralleled those in Canada.
In 2021 the Helson Collection was certified as Cultural Property by the Canadian Department of Heritage, recognizing its outstanding significance.