Helson Gallery Showcases Local Talent with “The Colour of Water” Exhibition in Halton Hills

Helson Gallery’s The Colour of Water exhibition highlights 47 Halton Hills artists and community connections

The Town of Halton Hills is spotlighting local artistic talent this spring with The Colour of Water, an annual exhibition at the Helson Gallery running from March 4 to May 10, 2026. The exhibition brings together 47 local artists, each offering a unique interpretation of water and its role in shaping both the natural environment and community identity.

Held at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre in Georgetown, the exhibition explores water as a life-giving force, a cultural connector and a defining element of the region’s landscape. Through a variety of mediums, participating artists reflect on the significance of waterways such as the Credit River (Missinnihe), which has long influenced Indigenous communities, early settlement patterns, industry, recreation and ongoing conservation efforts.

Exploring Water Through Art and Community

This year’s theme encourages viewers to consider water not only as a natural resource but as a shared cultural experience. The exhibition highlights how water continues to shape both the physical and social fabric of Halton Hills.

Mayor Ann Lawlor emphasized the importance of the exhibition in connecting art with the environment.

“This exhibition highlights the connection our community has with its natural surroundings. I’m thrilled to see local artists celebrating water and its significance through such inspiring and thoughtful work,” she said.

World Water Day Opening Reception

An opening reception is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, coinciding with World Water Day. The event is being held in partnership with the Credit River Waterwalkers and will include a community waterwalk beginning at 8 a.m. in Norval.

Participants are also invited to attend a reception at the Helson Gallery from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature Mary Anne Caibaiosai, an Ojibway-Anishinaabe knowledge-keeper and lead for the Credit River Waterwalk, offering an opportunity for cultural learning and community engagement.

Additional Exhibition at Cultural Centre

Visitors to the Cultural Centre can also explore Between Generations: Abstract Expressions, a separate exhibition featuring the work of mother-and-son artists Barbara Ariss Stroh Wasser and Derek Ariss. On display until April 6 in the Upper and Lower Sisnett Lobby, the exhibition presents a dynamic exchange of abstract ideas through vibrant and conceptual works.

Visiting the Helson Gallery

The Helson Gallery is located at 9 Church Street in Georgetown and is open:

• Wednesday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The exhibition is free to attend and open to the public.

With its focus on environmental awareness, cultural heritage and artistic expression, The Colour of Water offers residents and visitors an opportunity to engage with the natural and cultural narratives that define Halton Hills.

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