February 2026, Volume 4, Issue 2


View in Browser | Sign up for this newsletter

What's on at the

Helson Gallery

A watercolor painting of a polar bear emerging from calm, icy water, with its head and upper body visible above the surface. Soft blue and white tones create a serene, reflective atmosphere.

Closing Reception:

The Royal Collection Trust Project: Canadian Society Painters in Water Colours


March 1, 1 - 3 p.m.

Helson Gallery


Don’t miss the last opportunity to view these contemporary Canadian watercolours before they journey to England to join His Majesty King Charles III’s Royal Collection through the Royal Collection Trust Project.


Image: David McEown, Polar Bear

Closing Soon


On view until March 1

Helson Gallery

Upper and Lower Sisnett Lobby


Catch the current exhibitions before they're gone.


The Royal Collection Trust Project: Canadian Society Painters in Water Colours


Afrofuturism - Embers of Solitude


GDHS Art Show


Image: Komi Olaf, Boogie Down 2 (Diptych)

Upcoming Exhibitions

A detailed painting depicting the surface of moving water with ripples, reflections, and light patterns. Beneath the water, rounded stones in muted greens, browns, and grays are visible. The artwork captures the shifting motion of water and the texture of the rocky riverbed.

The Colour of Water


March 4 - May 10

Helson Gallery


Opening Reception: March 22

Stay tuned for details


Experience this year’s annual local artist exhibition celebrating water in all its forms: its life-giving power, its ability to shape landscapes, and its role in connecting communities. The exhibition explores the importance of waterways such as the Credit River, whose enduring influence has flowed through generations–shaping Indigenous ways of life, early settlement, industry, recreation, and ongoing conservation efforts. 


Image: Robert Attrell, O, the stories it could tell

Between Generations: Abstract Expressions


March 5 - April 6

Upper and Lower Sisnett Lobby


Opening Reception

March 4, 6 - 8 p.m.


Explore the work of mother-and-son abstract artists Barbara Ariss-Stroh-Wasser and Derek Ariss. This exhibition offers a compelling visual dialogue, expressed through vibrant and conceptual abstract art. Together, their work creates a dynamic conversation—between artists, concepts, time, and the audience.



Image: Derek Ariss, Transparency

A vibrant, illustrative-style mural featuring a building labeled “Cultural Centre” and “Library” at the center. Surrounding it are imaginative characters and elements, including an astronaut, a small green alien waving near a UFO, a dragon holding a flame, an owl in flight, a treasure chest filled with gold coins, and a hot air balloon. Colorful swirling patterns, stars, and rainbow-like bands fill the sky, creating a whimsical, fantasy-inspired scene.

Mayor’s Showcase featuring local artist Chris Cachia


Chris Cachia’s work blends everyday realism with dreamlike, fantastical elements, drawing inspiration from magical realism and contemporary illustration styles. Working in mixed media and photography, Chris often explores landscapes and popular culture, creating images that blur the line between reality and imagination.


Image: Chris Cachia, Imagination

Helson Gallery Programs

A person seated at a table sketches in a large drawing pad while others sit and observe in the background of an art classroom.

Drawing in the Gallery


January 7 - June 24

Wednesdays, 1 - 3 p.m.

Helson Gallery


Improve your figure drawing skills and connect with local artists every Wednesday afternoon in the Helson Gallery, with these free, self-directed sessions. Note: Bring your own art supplies (dry media only). 

Call for Artists

Graphic background with curved teal, cream, and orange shapes. Centered are two logos: the Halton Equity & Diversity Roundtable logo with multicoloured geometric symbols, and the Town of Halton Hills logo with stylized blue waves above the town name

HEDR Hero Image


Deadline: March 14

Artist Fee: $250


Halton Equity & Diversity Roundtable (HEDR) invites Halton Hills–based artists to submit original artwork exploring the theme of Intersectionality for use as the hero image in the 2026 conference, Small Town, Big Ideas: Intersectional Paths to Equity in Urban and Rural Communities.


This call is open to artists of all experience levels. 


Image: Halton Equity & Diversity Roundtable

A colorful mural composed of many small painted rectangles arranged in rows. Each rectangle features a unique design, including rainbows, clouds, mountains, lemon slices, musical notes, hearts, stars, a treasure chest, abstract patterns, and nature scenes. The artwork showcases a variety of bright colors and imaginative motifs created by different young artists.

Youth Week Art Exhibit


Deadline: April 27


As part of the Town's annual Youth Week celebrations, The Helson Gallery invites local youth to submit artworks for display in the Sisnett Lobby at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre & Library throughout May. 


The Youth Art Exhibit is open to youth ages 12-24. Art can include paintings, drawings, sketches, sculptures, and photography. Participants can submit more than one art piece, and artists are not required to frame their work.


Image: Georgetown Youth Centre

TIFF OnScreen at the JET

A boxer wearing a white athletic outfit and red gloves stands inside a boxing ring under bright overhead lights. The boxer is positioned near the ropes, leaning slightly forward with hands raised. Another person is visible at the edge of the ring with an arm extended upward, and additional figures appear in the background of the dimly lit arena.

Christy



March 27, 7:30 p.m.

John Elliott Theatre


Join us for a screening of the film Christy, that tells the astonishing life story of groundbreaking women's boxer Christy Martin.


Image: Christy film still

A person with short light-colored hair wears an orange apron and holds a partially carved red vegetable or fruit, using a small carving tool. They are in a room with framed photographs on the wall behind them, and other people are seated in the background.

Silver Screamers


May 22, 7:30 p.m.

John Elliott Theatre


Come see this heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary about a spirited group of senior citizens who set out to make a horror film, stepping far outside their comfort zones.


Image: Silver Screamers film still

TIFF OnScreen at the JET acknowledges our partnership with the Film Circuit, presented by TIFF, and its sponsors and supporters. TIFF ONScreen at the JET is co-presented by Halton Hills Public Library and Create Halton Hills.

Call for Participation

A band singing and playing music on a large stage in a dark theatre with stage lights on the performers.

Culture Days Committee (2026)


Help shape Culture Days 2026 by joining the Culture Days Committee! Culture Days is a local celebration that brings residents and visitors together through arts, culture, and community creativity.


Committee members will collaborate to support planning, outreach, and delivery of engaging cultural experiences across Halton Hills. The commitment includes 5–6 meetings leading up to the event.



Whether you’re an artist, volunteer, organizer, or cultural supporter, we’d love to hear from you.


Interested in participating?

Reach out to Pearl Schachter at pschachter@haltonhills.ca to get involved.


Image: That Band, The John Elliott Theatre, Culture Days 2025

Three abstract figures intertwined in blue green and yellow, with the words Volunteer Halton in yellow bold letters and blue slightly smaller text below reading Community Development Halton. An image of the Volunteer Halton Community Development Halton logo

Community Volunteer Awards


Nominations are now open!


Cheers to Volunteers Award

Deadline: March 4


Halton Volunteer Impact Award

Deadline: March 17


Heather Thompson Volunteer Excellence Award

Deadline: March 17


Kristen Harding Community Organizer Award

Deadline: March 17


Image: Volunteer Halton Community Development Halton Logo

Culture by the Numbers

83% of people agree that attending a culture event increases their desire to be creative as a pastime or hobby.


Photo: Bookbindng Activity, Culture Days, 2025


Source: 2025 Halton Hills National Culture Days Attendee Survey

To learn about other local events, please visit the events calendar.

Create Halton Hills Core Services

  • Provide support to the local arts and culture sector
  • Engage and collaborate with cultural leaders and stakeholders
  • Provide funding, commissioning, and art sales opportunities
  • Deliver diverse cultural programing
  • Implement Public Art Program including temporary and permanent works
  • Operate Helson Gallery including delivery of programs and exhibitions
  • Lead Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Truth and Reconciliation initiatives
Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Twitter  YouTube

Copyright 2025 Town of Halton Hills

You are receiving this email because you signed up for

the Town's e-newsletter 'Create Halton Hills'


Contact us


Please note: Pictures used in this e-newsletter are for illustration purposes only