What's New at the Helson Gallery
Check out the Spring 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
Halton Black History Awareness Society: Emancipation Art Exhibition
July 16 to August 31, 2025
Visit the Helson Gallery to view this year's 8th annual Emancipation Art Exhibition. Artists were invited to submit works that reflect the experiences of Black Canadian artists in our community. This exhibition celebrates the voices and artistic expressions of African diasporic artists highlighting the richness of Black identity, history, and culture through a diverse range of artistic media.
Exhibition Opening Reception:
Join us in the Gallery on Saturday, July 19th 3 – 5pm where awards will be announced.
Join us in the Gallery on Saturday, July 19th 3 – 5pm where awards will be announced.
Dionne Simpson, Under Construction 9
Currently on view in the Sisnett Lobby
Upper Sisnett Lobby
Square Foot Show and Sale
On view until August 17, 2025
Come experience the creativity of local artists as they tackle the challenge of working within a 12” x 12” format in this unique exhibition. Discover a diverse range of artworks, which are available for purchase at $226 (including hst). This exhibition is organized in association with the Credit Valley Artisans.
Lower Sisnett Lobby
William Band: Watercolours
On view until August 17, 2025
William Band is a talented artist known for his technical watercolour paintings. After a successful career in commercial art, he has returned to his passion for painting, creating stunning works that capture the beauty of various subjects. Many of the pieces on display are for sale.
Currently on view in the Mayor's Showcase
Featuring the artwork of local artist Peter Palermo
In celebration of Pride Month, the Helson Gallery is proud to feature the work of local artist Peter Palermo. This exhibition highlights Palermo’s vibrant and expressive paintings, offering the community a chance to engage with art that explores identity, nature, and personal reflection.
Peter Palermo has been exhibiting in Canada and the U.S. since 1991. Known for his dynamic use of imagery, symbolism, and expressive gestures, Palermo’s work covers a wide range of subjects and styles. His current display includes a series of small paintings inspired by his summer travels, where he sketches landscapes while hiking and camping, later transforming them into finished works in his Georgetown studio.
Drop-in Family Art Activities in the Helson Gallery
Join us at the Helson Gallery this summer for a series of free, drop-in family art activities inspired by the artwork on view in the gallery.
All materials are provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
July 8, 22, 29, August 12, 26 Drop in anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 pm.
Landscape in Turmoil (colour wash) July 8
See the Rhythm
(layered oil pastel)
July 22
Expressive Portrait
(textured wax crayon)
July 29
Dimensional Abstract (built up layers over colourwash) Aug. 12
Colour and Line Broken Image (with markers)
August 26
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.
Join us at the Helson Gallery on Sunday, August 10, from 2 - 4 p.m.
After the speakers, enjoy birthday cake in the Sisnett Lobby as we celebrate Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthday.
Speakers include:
Lois Fraser, Board of Director of the LMM Museum and Literary Centre
Barbara Helander, Exhibition Coordinator
Kathy Wasylenky, Author
Janet Wilson, Author and Illustrator
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.