The Colours of HER-Story
September 4 to October 19, 2025
The vivid palettes of Stephanie Schirm and Sian Gordon punctuate and explore the poignancy and richness of that third chapter of women’s lives.
Photo: Stephanie Schirm, Neeta (cropped)
Each year, a selection of approximately six exhibitions are presented in the Helson Gallery featuring works from community artists, private holdings, and the Town's growing collection of art which includes the culturally significant Helson Collection.
8th Annual Emancipation Art Exhibition
Presented in partnership with the Halton Black History Awareness Society
July 16 to August 31, 2025
This exhibition celebrates the voices and artistic expressions of African diasporic artists.
Photo: Clarke Miles, Before The Pop, Ceramic Sculpture
Shifting Grounds
The Art of Uncertainty
May 14 to July 13, 2025
Participating artists were challenged to explore themes of unpredictability, change, and the human experience of navigating an ever-shifting landscape.
Photo: Robert Attrell, Sanctuary: a safe place to land
The Artistic Viewpoint
March 26 to May 11, 2025
This showcase featured members of SOVA (Southern Ontario Visual Artists), a collective of acclaimed professional artists united by their mutual respect and admiration for each other's work.
Photo: Joanne Lomas, Dazzle in the Field
Perspectives:
Exploring the Town's Art Collection
January 15 to March 23, 2025
This exhibition features a curated selection from the esteemed Helson Collection in discussion with works drawn from the Town and Public Library’s Art Collections.
Photo: George Lin, Mother and Child
Open Water
November 13, 2024 to January 12, 2025
The 99th International Juried Exhibition, organized by the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, is a prestigious event that highlights the finest in transparent watercolour art. This exhibition celebrated the creativity and skill of watercolour artists, offering them a platform to showcase their work.
Photo: Susan Garrington, Poppies in Birr, watercolour
Ishpendaagaabwi
Standing With Pride
September 18 to November 10, 2022
In partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, this exhibition presented a collection of artworks to honour and celebrate their enduring resilience and culture.
Photo: Dayle Hawkins, United Spirits VI, Acrylic on canvas
7th Annual Emancipation Art Exhibition
July 24 to September 15, 2024
For the annual HBHAS Emancipation Art Exhibition, artists were invited to submit work to educate the public about black history and celebrate the freedom that came with Emancipation.
Photo: Komi Olaf, Kainji, Acrylic on Canvas
Strictly Local
May 30 to July 21, 2024
This annual local artist exhibition was curated with the theme Strictly Local in celebration of the Town of Halton Hills’ 50th anniversary. Selected artworks were created by local artists and respond specifically to Halton Hills.
Photo: Karen Watts, Through the Trails (detail), Acrylic
Florence McGillivray
February 28 to May 26, 2024
Her Story and Influence on Canadian Art, Co-curated by Bill Allen. Canadian artist Florence Helena McGillivray (1864 - 1938), was best known for her post-impressionist style capturing the Canadian landscape.
Photo: Florence Helena McGillivray, Fishstack, Bonaventure Island, on loan from a private collection
Transatlantic Papertrail
November 29, 2023 to February 25, 2024
This international exhibition included a variety of styles from Canadian, German and Swiss artists Neville Clarke, Linda Kemp, Peter Marsh, Lin Souliere, Rayne Tunley, Uta Jeran, Karoline Koeppel, Reinhard Fluri, Konrad Gruber, and Rudolf Stüssi.
Photo: Rayne Tunley, When the Wind Blows, Mixed Medium
Recent Acquisitions
August 31 to November 26, 2023
This exhibition featured a selection of art from recent donations to the Town of Halton Hills and the Public Library’s art collections. The show explored connections to existing art in the collections and the creative influences that shaped these historic and contemporary artists’ work.
Photo: Frieda Nelson, Three Horses, Acrylic
6th Annual Emancipation Art Exhibition
June 21 to August 27, 2023
The annual HBHSA Emancipation Art Exhibition aimed to educate the public about black history and celebrate the freedom that came with Emancipation.
Photo: Miyakah Emon, Of Matter and Descent, Mixed Media on canvas
Locally Grown: Further Afield
April 19 to June 18, 2023
This annual Locally Grown exhibition featured local artists exploring the theme Further Afield. Now that the world has opened since the pandemic, travel has become more common. Artists interpreted this theme, whether it be expressed literally, emotionally, or imaginatively.
Photo: Stephanie Schirm, WAITING, cold wax and oil
Carrie L. Hillyard
January 18 to April 16, 2023
This retrospective exhibition explored the forgotten artistic journey and life of Canadian artist Carrie L. Hillyard (1866 – 1952). This collection was on loan from a private collector who had done extensive research into the artist’s life and art.
Photo: Carrie L. Hillyard, Weeds and Wild Flowers, oil on canvas
Pentavisions/
Couleurs d’Ailleurs
October 27, 2022 to January 15, 2023
This exchange exhibition featured noted Canadian and French watercolour painters including.
Photo: Neville Clarke, Miss Hyacinth Watercolour
Locally Grown
September 14 to October 23, 2022
Our annual showcase of Halton Hills artists featured works in a variety of media.
Photo: Kate Allan, Beaver River (detail), Oil on Canvas
HBHAS: Emancipation Art Exhibition
July 27, 2022 - September 3, 2022
The vibrant work of a variety of artists was featured in this fifth annual showing of the HBHAS in commemoration of Emancipation Day, August 1.
Photo: Kristen Allicock, Come (Unity), Acrylic and Mixed Media
Le petit salon
April 27 to July 23, 2022
With loans from notable private collections, this exhibition traced the influence of French Impressionism on Canadian artists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Photo: Bell-Smith, Waterloo Bridge (detail), Oil on Canvas
Collection Conversations:
Gift and Recent Acquisitions
Installed during covid closures was on view until April 17, 2022
This show examined the diverse movements that have shaped Canadian art history, featuring selections from the Town’s Permanent Art Collection including the culturally significant Helson Gift.
Photo: Sydney Drum, Untitled (detail), Print