Fall Programming
Download the seasonal flyer to learn about current and upcoming exhibitions and programs.
The Helson Gallery features rotating exhibitions of local art, private collections and travelling exhibitions. Join us for a variety of programming, such as exhibition receptions, artist workshops, drop-in activities, tours, 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.
What's New at the Helson Gallery
Get caught up on our seasonal programming, past exhibitions, and calls for artists.
Community & School Programs
The Helson Gallery programs provide students and the community with a unique opportunity to view and create artwork.
Past Exhibitions
Discover past exhibitions, featuring works from local artists, private holdings, and the Town's collection.
Detail of Stephanie Schirm, COVID window
Current Exhibitions
On View in the Helson Gallery
Twisted Wire: The Art of Jim Paterson
September 16 – November 8, 2026
Explore the imaginative wire artworks of Jim Paterson in this interactive exhibition. Drawing inspiration from both his professional career and childhood experiences, Jim transforms twisted wire into intricate and thought-provoking works of art.
Each piece is created entirely from wire, with some sculptures that can even be gently turned, bringing different parts of the work to life through motion. This unique exhibition encourages visitors to engage with the stories he’s created through swirling forms and moving elements.
Jim Paterson, An Engine of Joy, steel wire, mixed media
On View in the Upper Sisnett Lobby
Georgetown Rug Hooking Guild
September 29 – November 1
Active in the community for over 50 years, the Georgetown Rug Hooking Guild is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the craft of rug hooking. The Guild not only showcases the artistry involved in rug hooking but also fosters a deeper appreciation for this time-honored craft through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects.
Jean Leonard, The Farmstead, rug hooking
On View in the Lower Sisnett Lobby
Halton Hills Plein Air Artists
September 29 – November 1
Explore paintings of local and regional landscapes created by the talented Halton Hills Plein Air Artists (HHPAA). Featuring works 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.
Monica Burnside, Apple Blossoms, Georgetown
On View in the Mayor's Showcase
Paul MacPhail, Local Artist
Come explore paintings by Paul MacPhail, a Scottish-born painter and architect who has lived in Georgetown, Ontario, for 26 years. With a 40-year architectural career spanning Canada, the UK, and the US, he brings a strong sense of observation and composition to his art. This collection of acrylic paintings draws inspiration from Georgetown’s streets, station, fields, and skies, using layered colour and expressive mark-making to capture the atmosphere and character of the local landscape.
The Mayor's Showcase is located at Town Hall, 1 Halton Hills Drive, Georgetown
Paul MacPhail, Still Boundary, acrylic on canvas
Upcoming Exhibitions
Please check back soon, or sign up for the Create Halton Hills Newsletter to receive news about upcoming exhibitions.
Programs & Workshops
Drawing in the Gallery
Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday afternoon in the Helson Gallery, connect with local artists and hone your figure drawing skills with these free, self-directed sessions. Bring your own art supplies, dry media only. Runs September 16 to December 9, 2026.
About 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.