What's New at the Helson Gallery
Check out the Fall 2025 flyer to learn about current and upcoming exhibitions and programs.
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
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
Carol Hughes, Steel Flowers at Dominion Seed Garden
Upper Sisnett Lobby
Halton Hills Plein Air Artists
On view until September 21, 2025
Explore paintings of local and regional landscapes created by the talented Halton Hills Plein Air Artists (HHPAA). Featuring work by Monica Burnside, Carol Hughes, Sheila Mitchell Beatrice Roche, Rose Scully, and Susan Ying, this collection showcases the beauty of Halton Hills. The artists gather every Thursday from spring to late fall to paint in various parks throughout the area.
Lower Sisnett Lobby
Glen Williams Historical Photogrpahy
On view until September 21, 2025
To mark the 200th anniversary of the village of Glen WIlliams, these photographs have been selected from the Gord Preston collection. Gord Preston began a hobby of gathering images of Glen Williams after his retirement from the family store, still known as Preston's. He coupled this interest with his hobby of woodworking, making frames for a number of the photographs. Williams Mill owners Doug and Mary Lou Brock acquired this collection and have made it available for the several events being celebrated this year. They will be displayed once again at the Glen200 celebration on September 27th, in Glen Williams.
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
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.
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.
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)
Kindred Spirits: The Lucy Maud Montgomery Legacy
as Interpreted by Contemporary Book Artists
August 6 - September 21
On view in the Sisnett Lobby and Library display cases, Kindred Spirits is a touring book arts exhibition that responds to the work and life of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The pieces were created by members of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG) as an acknowledgement of the legacy of Lucy Maud Montgomery at the 150th anniversary of her birth.
Drop-in Bookbinding Activity
September 21, 2:00 to 4:00pm in the Helson Gallery
To celebrate Lucy Maud Montgomery and her wonderful scrapbooks, CBBAG has created a special pamphlet for you to make. You’ll learn a basic bookbinding skill and take home a fun keepsake that shares parts of L. M. Montgomery’s life.
All ages welcome!
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.