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.
May 30 - 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
February 28 – 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
September 18 – November 10
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
July 24 – September 15
For this seventh annual 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
November 13, 2024 – January 12, 2025
The 99th International Juried Exhibition, organized by the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC), is a prestigious event that highlights the finest in transparent watercolour art. This exhibition celebrated the creativity and skill of watercolour artists, offering them an international platform to showcase their work.
Photo: Susan Garrington, Poppies in Birr, watercolour
November 29, 2023 to February 25, 2024
This international exhibition included a variety of styles from noted Canadian, German and Swiss artists including 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
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
June 21, to August 27, 2023
This sixth annual 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
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
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, 1905, oil on canvas
October 27, 2022 – January 15, 2023
This exchange exhibition featured noted Canadian and French watercolour painters including Neville Clarke, Contremoulin, Serge DiMeo, Donna Acheson-Juillet, Linda Kemp, Peter Marsh, Corinne Poplimont, Franck Rollier, Lin Souliere and Rayne Tunley.
Photo: Neville Clarke, Miss Hyacinth Watercolour
September 14, 2022 – 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
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 Medium
April 27, 2022 – 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
The Helson 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
