The Heliconian Club of Toronto is an association of women involved in the arts and letters based in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

, Canada. It operates out of Heliconian Hall located in Yorkville. In existence for over 110 years, the Heliconian Club remains steadfast in its commitment to women living and working in the arts. Today the Club has six sections – Drama, Dance, Humanities, Literature, Music and Visual Arts – open to all professional women working in or supporting the arts. The Club runs a Literary Lecture Series, founded in 1996, a Concert Series in its eighth year and a Salon Series featuring speakers from across the arts spectrum. These are open to the public, with the exception of the Literary Lecture Series which is by subscription only. A key initiative of the Club over the last decade has been to establish artistic residencies for young female artists setting out on a professional career in Music, Literature, Visual Arts, Drama and Dance. The Club offers the musician, dancer, and dramatist rehearsal space at the Club and an evening in which they can perform their artistic projects at the Club before a paying audience. The Visual Artist is given a solo show of her works at the end of the residency in June of each year and is able to attend the Life Drawing Sessions at the Monday Sketch Club free of charge. The Writer in residence is given a subscription to the Literary Lecture Series and the opportunity during her residency to share her current writing project with members of the Club.

History

Mary Hewitt Smart (later Shenstone), a teacher of singing at the

Toronto Conservatory of Music The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), branded as The Royal Conservatory, is a non-profit music education institution and performance venue headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1886 by Edward Fisher as The Toronto Con ...

, had helped establish the Women's Musical Club of Toronto in 1899 and now, in the early 1900s, was contemplating a more ambitious project. She wanted to bring together women living and working in all the arts – not just music – for social interaction and intellectual stimulation. To that end, she and 59 fellow artists attended a formal meeting at the Teapot Inn on Wednesday, January 20, 1909. On that day, the Heliconian Club was born with Mary Smart as its first president. It was named for Mount Helicon, mythical abode of the Muses. The founding members were professionals in painting, music, literature and drama. The first Vice President was painter Elizabeth McGillivray Knowles. Charter members (founding members) included Jean Blewett (poet); Bessie Bonsall Barron (singer), Mona Bates (pianist), Estelle Kerr (painter), Ellen Elliott (publisher), Mary Dignam (founder of the Women's Art Association of Canada (WAAC)), Emma Scott Raiff Naismith (dramatist), Jessie Alexander Roberts (dramatist), Ida McLean (singer), and Marjory MacMurchy – aka Lady Willison (journalist & author). Other early active members were: Lina Adamson, Maude Wilks, Katherine Hale (writer), Mrs. J.V. Fairburn, as well as visual artists

Dorothy Stevens Dorothy Stevens (2 September 1888 – 5 June 1966) was a Canadian etcher, portrait painter, printmaker, illustrator and teacher, perhaps the most accomplished Canadian etcher of her day. She is known for the prints she made of factory workers dur ...

Mabel Cawthra Mabel Cawthra Adamson (1871–1943) was a Canadian painter and decorator, who was active in the Arts and Crafts movement in Toronto. Early years Mabel Cawthra was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1871. The Cawthra family were wealthy Canadian m ...

, Marion Long,

Rody Kenny Courtice Rody Kenny Courtice (born Roselyn Margaret Kenny; 1891–1973) was a modernist Canadian painter. She was associated with the Group of Seven early in her career, but later moved away into a more individual style. She was active in associations of ...

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and Kathleen Daly. Another impetus to creating the Heliconian Club was the fact that women were excluded from

The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto (usually just called ''The Arts and Letters Club'') is a private club in Toronto, Ontario, which brings together writers, architects, musicians, painters, graphic artists, actors and others working in or with a ...

, founded in 1908. Membership was by invitation only and members were required to have distinguished themselves in their particular métier. The early Heliconians resembled nomads, giving performances, holding meetings and hosting receptions for visiting artists in several different locations before settling in a permanent home. In 1914, members met in a suite of rooms over a bank at the corner of Yonge and Grosevenor streets. Better accommodation was found at 617 Yonge Street; later the Club moved again to a large room over a closed movie house at 801 Yonge St. At the Club's annual meeting of 1923, the acquisition of permanent headquarters was discussed and members were asked to keep an eye open for a suitable building. Shortly afterward, artist Emily Louise Elliot spotted a "For Sale" sign on an apparently empty church on Hazelton Ave. It was the former Olivet Baptist Church, then owned by the Painters' Union, whose asking price was $8,000. In July, 1923, the Club acquired the building with a down payment of $2,000 and the prospect of a $5,000 bill for renovations and structural repairs. Diligent fundraising enabled the work to be done. The mortgage was discharged in 1931.Weiers, pamphlet. In its earliest iteration the Club hosted receptions for artists visiting Toronto, as well as mounted theatricals, skits, concerts, art exhibits, arranged art lessons and held a variety of social events such as luncheons and dinners. One of its specialties was extravagant tableaux vivants involving the talents of all of the members including musicians, artists, actors, and writers. Heliconian Hall Toronto Canada April 2011

Hall

Heliconian Hall, as it is now known, is in the Yorkville district of Toronto on the east side of Hazelton Avenue and north of Scollard Street. The area is home to many art galleries, boutiques and picturesque Edwardian and Victorian homes. The building was erected in 1876. Its architecture is Carpenter's Gothic, with a board and batten exterior and a unique carved rose window with drip molding on the west façade. It is one of very few board-and-batten buildings still in use in Ontario. The building is protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, designated by the City of Toronto since 1973. In 1983 the Toronto Historical Board recognized it with an appropriate plaque as "the oldest building" in the Yorkville area. In 1990 the Heliconian Hall Foundation was founded as a vehicle to acquire funds for the preservation and restoration of what is often called the gem of Yorkville. Heliconian Hall was designated a National Historic Sites of Canada in 2008 due to its distinctive architecture and its association with the Heliconian Club.Parks Canada Directory of Federal Heritage Designations website.
/ref> Other noteworthy architectural features include the square, flat-roofed tower, asymmetrically located on the building's southern elevation, two symmetrical steeply gabled entrance porches, and an arcade of narrow-pointed arched windows. The main hall has a vaulted ceiling, a low stage and a fireplace. Due to its excellent acoustics, the venue is in high demand for concerts and other performances. In addition, there is a small meeting room beside the hall with a bar and a kitchen. The hall may be rented for events and performances.

Current activities

While the Heliconian Club remains true to its objective as a forum for interaction among women in the arts, it has also evolved. Club events attract participants from across the city: the Monday Sketch Group, founded by artist and teacher Erma Lennox Sutcliffe in the early 1970s is vigorous. The Literary Lecture Series, founded by Janet L'Heureux and Jocelyn Paul in the mid-1990s, is consistently sold out. Since it was initiated, more than 170 exceptional Canadian authors have been featured. An annual concert series of varied programmes featuring the Clubs' high-caliber performers is another well-ensconced tradition. Each month member artists present art exhibitions in the hall for public viewing; exhibitions include drawings, paintings, mixed media, found objects, textile art, photography and occasionally sculpture.

Notable members

A handsome, historic building alone does not enable a club to survive for 100 years. The strength, vitality and longevity of the Heliconian Club comes from its many dedicated and distinguished members whose reputation and accomplishments are not limited to Toronto but recognized across Canada. Many early Heliconians were trailblazers in their areas of expertise. Seven Heliconians have received the country's highest honour: the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the cen ...

Dora Mavor Moore Dora Mavor Moore, (April 8, 1888–May 15, 1979) was a Canadian actress, teacher and director who was a pioneer of Canadian theatre. Life and work Born Dora Mavor in Glasgow, Scotland, she moved with her family to Toronto, Ontario, Cana ...

(1888–1979), actor and director who was instrumental in establishing Canadian professional theatre and has an annual award named in her honour 2.

Marjorie Wilkins Campbell Marjorie Elliott Wilkins Campbell (1901 – November 23, 1986) was a Canadian writer of history and historical fiction. She won two Governor General's Literary Awards for the best works of the year, one of the two 1950 non-fiction awards for ''Th ...

(1901–1986), a writer who also twice won the

Governor General's Award The Governor General's Awards are a collection of annual List of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, recognizing distinction in numerous academic, artistic, and social fields. Th ...

(1903–2002), visual artist, patron and philanthropist 4. Edna Staebler (1906-2006), prolific writer at

Maclean's ''Maclean's'', founded in 1905, is a Canadian news magazine reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events. Its founder, publisher John Bayne Maclean, established the magazine to provide a uniquely Canadian persp ...

and Chatelaine magazines 5.

Francess Halpenny Francess Georgina Halpenny (May 27, 1919 – December 25, 2017) was a Canadian editor and professor. Born in Ottawa, she received a master's degree in English language and literature from the University of Toronto in 1941. She joined the editoria ...

(1919–2017), editor at

University of Toronto Press The University of Toronto Press is a Canadian university press founded in 1901. Although it was founded in 1901, the press did not actually publish any books until 1911. The press originally printed only examination books and the university cale ...

, Dean of U of T faculty of Library Science 6. Dorreen Hall (1921 – ), violinist and music educator who brought Orff method of teaching to Canada 7. Lois Marshall (1924–1997), soprano Other notable members are listed below *

Mary Hiester Reid Mary Augusta Hiester Reid (10 April 1854 – 4 October 1921) was an American-born Canadian painter and teacher. She was best known as a painter of floral still lifes, some of them called "devastatingly expressive" by a contemporary author, and b ...

(1854-1921) - painter *Jessie Alexander Roberts (1864-1955) – famous elocutionist and author of Platform Sketches * Susie Frances Harrison (1859–1931 or 1935) – writer under the name “Seranus” and composer * Jean Blewett (1862–1934) – poet and writer * Virna Sheard (1862–1943) – poet and novelist * Florence Helena McGillivray (1864-1938) – painter * Elizabeth McGillivray Knowles (1866–1928) – romantic landscape painter * Emily Louise Orr Elliott (1867-1952) – artist, graphic designer, fashion designer *

(1871-1943) – painter and decorator active in the Arts and Crafts Movement * Katherine Hale (1874-1956) – prolific poet and writer of travel books *

Lorrie Dunington-Grubb Lorrie Alfreda Dunington-Grubb (1877 – 17 January 1945) was an English landscape architect. She moved to Canada in 1911 with her husband and business partner Howard Dunington-Grubb where they founded Sheridan Nurseries. She was active in garde ...

(1877–1945) – landscape architect * Mary Wrinch (1877-1969) – painter * Mazo de la Roche (1879-1961) – author of the famous Jalna novels *

Estelle Muriel Kerr Estelle Muriel Kerr (1879-1971) was a Canadian painter, illustrator and writer. thumb Life Estelle Muriel Kerr was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1879. In Toronto she studied with Mary Ella Dignam and Laura Muntz Lyall. She studied at The New York ...

(1879-1971) – painter, illustrator and writer * Marion Long (1882-1970) – painter of military portraits, landscapes and still life *

(1888-1966) – etcher and portrait painter *

(1891-1973) – painter and teacher; member of the

Canadian Group of Painters The Canadian Group of Painters (CGP) was a collective of 28 painters from across Canada who came together as a group in 1933. Formation The Canadian Group of Painters succeeded the disbanded Group of Seven, whose paintings of the Canadian wil ...

* Grace Morris Craig (1891-1987) - painter and writer *

Yvonne McKague Housser Yvonne McKague Housser, (1897–1996) was a Modernist Canadian painter, and a teacher. Early life and education Yvonne McKague was born in Toronto in 1897 to Hugh Henry McKague and Louise Elliott. She studied at the Ontario College of Art (OCA) ...

(1897-1996) – painter often associated with the

Group of Seven The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; additionally, the European Union (EU) is a "non-enumerated member". It is officiall ...

; member of

* Jacobine Jones (1897-1976) – sculptor * Kathleen Daly (1898-1994) – landscape and portrait painter *

Jane Mallett Jane Mallett (April 17, 1899 – April 14, 1984) was a Canadian actress. She was born as Jean Dawson Keenleyside in London, Ontario, Canada. Career Her films included ''Love at First Sight'' with Dan Aykroyd, ''The Sweet and the Bitter'', ''T ...

(1899-1984) – actor *Lorna McLean Sheard (1901-1983) – actor and theatrical director who created an Experimental Theatre Group at

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in the early 20th century *

Alexandra Luke Alexandra Luke (14 May 1901 - 1 June 1967), born Margaret Alexandra Luke in Montreal, Quebec, was a Canadian abstract artist who belonged to the Painters Eleven. Early life Luke was born in Montreal, one of a pair of twins, to parents Jesse Her ...

(1901-1967) – painter; Member of Painters 11 *Mona Coxwell (1892-?) – writer, dramatist; published theatre periodical called “The Curtain Call” from 1929 to 1941; member of the Canadian Women’s Press Club *

(1903 – 2002) – artist, patron and philanthropist; member of the

* Claire Wallace (c.1900–1968) – journalist at the

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and the

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (french: Société Radio-Canada), branded as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian public broadcaster for both radio and television. It is a federal Crown corporation that receives funding from the government. ...

radio broadcaster *Ellen Elliot (1901-1973) – publisher and editor * Marie McPhedran (1900-1974) – writer;

winner *Byrne Hope Sanders (1902-1981) – journalist, editor of Chatelaine Magazine 1929 – 1952 *Lotta Dempsey (1905 – 1988) – journalist; wrote for the

Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it f ...

and columnist at the

for many years *

Ruby Mercer Ruby Mercer, CM (26 July 1906 – 26 January 1999) was an American-born Canadian writer, broadcaster, soprano and entrepreneur. Mercer was born in Athens, Ohio, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 1936, she made her debut as a member of ...

(1906-1999) – opera singer and founder of Opera Canada Magazine and writer * Muriel Stafford (1906-2004) – organist and choir master *Eleanor Beecroft (1906-2007) – actor *Helen Sewell (1906-2001) – painter and teacher *

Margaret Aitken Margaret Aitken (July 3, 1908 – November 19, 1980) was a Canadian author, columnist, journalist, and politician. Background Aitken was born in Newcastle, New Brunswick. She attended Branksome Hall in Toronto. She was the daughter of J. Mau ...

(1908-1980) – journalist at the

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and the

who later became a politician * Isabel LeBourdais (1909-2003) – journalist and author * Hilda Kay Grant (1910-1996) – writer and artist *Kay Kritzwiser (1910-2009) art critic, feature writer at the

* Bronisława Michałowska aka Bronka Michalowska (1915-2015) – ceramicist *

Pearl Palmason A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk or another animal, such as fossil conulariids. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is composed of calcium carb ...

(1915 -2006) – violinist; first woman to play violin section of the

Toronto Symphony Orchestra The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1906, the TSO gave regular concerts at Massey Hall until 1982, and since then has performed at Roy Thomson Hall. The TSO also manages the Toronto ...

*(Aileen) Tyrell Morrow (1915-2005) – artist *Amelia Hall (1916-1984) – actor *Faith Wood Breen (1917-2005) – painter *Elizabeth Dingman (1918-2010) – journalist at several major newspapers including the

*Jean Townsend-Field (1921-2006) – painter *Joanne Mazzoleni aka Edith Joanne Ivey (1924-2019) – opera singer and author; member of Heliconian Hall Foundation *Suzanne Mess (1928-2019) – costume designer *Margaret Keslering Weiers (1928 – 2018) – diplomat, author; worked at the

from 1963 until 1991 as a reporter, feature writer and member of the editorial board *Patricia Rideout (Rosenberg) (1931-2006) – soprano *Mary Gardiner (1932 -2010) – composer, pianist, educator; founding member and former Chair of the

Association of Canadian Women Composers The Association of Canadian Women Composers (ACWC) (french: Association des femmes compositeurs canadiennes FCC is a not-for-profit organization that aims to promote the performance of works by women composers, to disseminate information about a ...

Canadian Music Centre https://www.musiccentre.ca/node/37415/biography https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=mary-e-gardiner-rutherford&pid=139268088. * Maryon Kantaroff (1933-2019) – sculptor File:Heliconian Hall - Historic Sites plaque.JPG, Parks Canada plaque File:Heliconian Hall - Toronto Historical Board plaque.JPG, Toronto Historical Board plaque File:Heliconian Hall side view.JPG, Hall and neighbors

References

Citations Sources * * *MacKinnon, Donna Jean. Newsgirls, Gutsy Pioneers in Canada’s Newsrooms. Leaping Lion Books, 2017. *Walboum, Samara. Ladies in Retirement, University of Toronto PhD Thesis, 2004. *Weiers, Margaret. “Toronto Heliconian Club: Women Living in the Arts 1909-2009” pamphlet, 2008.

External links

*Official website of the Heliconian Club https://www.heliconianclub.org/ {{Canadian art Arts organizations based in Canada Organizations based in Ontario 1909 establishments in Ontario Women in Ontario