The Heliconian Club of Toronto is an association of women involved in the arts and letters based in Toronto, 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, 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 Elizabeth Annie McGillivray Knowles (January 8, 1866October 4, 1928) was a Canadian landscape painter, known for her paintings of domestic animals, especially fowl. Canada Elizabeth Annie Beach was born in Ottawa on January 8, 1866. She was a nie ...

. Charter members (founding members) included

Jean Blewett Jean McKishnie Blewett (pen name, Katherine Kent; 4 November 1862 – 19 August 1934) was a Canadian journalist, author and poet. Biography Blewett was born Janet McKinshie in Scotia, Kent County, Ontario in 1862 to Scottish immigrants (s ...

(poet); Bessie Bonsall Barron (singer), Mona Bates (pianist),

Estelle 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 ...

(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 Amelia Beers Warnock Garvin (13 August 1874 – 7 September 1956), who wrote under the pen name Katherine Hale, was a Canadian poet, critic, and short story writer. Biography Amelia Beers Warnock was born in Waterloo, Ontario, in 1874.''Ontario, ...

(writer), Mrs. J.V. Fairburn, as well as visual artists Dorothy Stevens, Mabel Cawthra,

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, Rody Kenny Courtice, Isabel McLaughlin and

Kathleen Daly Kathleen Frances Daly (or Kathleen Daly Pepper) (28 May 1898 – 31 August 1994) was a Canadian painter. She is known for her depictions of First Nations and the Inuit in Canada. Life Kathleen Frances Daly was born in Napanee, Ontario. She came ...

. Another impetus to creating the Heliconian Club was the fact that women were excluded from The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, 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 The ''Ontario Heritage Act'', (the ''Act'') first enacted on March 5, 1975, allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate individual properties and districts in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as being of cultural heritage ...

, 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 National Historic Sites of Canada (french: Lieux historiques nationaux du Canada) are places that have been designated by the federal Minister of the Environment on the advice of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), as being ...

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 1. Dora Mavor Moore (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 (1901–1986), a writer who also twice won the Governor General's Award 3. Isabel McLaughlin (1903–2002), visual artist, patron and philanthropist 4. Edna Staebler (1906-2006), prolific writer at Maclean's and

Chatelaine Chatelaine may refer to: * Chatelaine (chain), a set of short chains on a belt worn by women and men for carrying keys, thimble and/or sewing kit, etc. *Chatelaine (horse), a racehorse * ''Chatelaine'' (magazine), an English-language Canadian wom ...

magazines 5. Francess Halpenny (1919–2017), editor at University of Toronto Press, 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 Lois Catherine Marshall, CC (January 29, 1924 – February 19, 1997) was a Canadian soprano. Her husband, Weldon Kilburn, had been her early coach and piano accompanist. Early life and studies; awards Born in Toronto, Ontario, Marshall "began ...

(1924–1997), soprano Other notable members are listed below * Mary Hiester Reid (1854-1921) - painter *Jessie Alexander Roberts (1864-1955) – famous elocutionist and author of Platform Sketches *

Susie Frances Harrison Susie Frances Harrison née Riley (February 24, 1859 – May 5, 1935) (a.k.a. Seranus) was a Canadians, Canadian poet, novelist, music critic and music composer who lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto. Life Susie Frances Riley was born in Tor ...

(1859–1931 or 1935) – writer under the name “Seranus” and composer *

(1862–1934) – poet and writer *

Virna Sheard Virginia Sheard (April 24, 1862 – February 22, 1943) was a Canadian poet and novelist. She also wrote under the name Stanton Sheard. Early life Sheard was born in Cobourg, Ontario, the daughter of Elizabeth Butler and Eldridge Stanton, a photog ...

(1862–1943) – poet and novelist *

Florence Helena McGillivray Florence Helena McGillivray (March1, 1864May 7, 1938), also known as F H. McGillivray, was a Canadian landscape painter known for her Post-Impressionism, Post-Impressionist style. Her family home was in Whitby, Ontario. She lived in Ottawa from ...

(1864-1938) – painter *

(1866–1928) – romantic landscape painter *

Emily Louise Orr Elliott Emily Louise Orr Elliott (July 22, 1867 – February 27, 1952) was a Canadian artist and fashion illustrator. She was born Emily Louise Orr in Montreal and studied at the Ontario School of Art in Toronto, the Art Students League of New Yor ...

(1867-1952) – artist, graphic designer, fashion designer * Mabel Cawthra (1871-1943) – painter and decorator active in the Arts and Crafts Movement *

(1874-1956) – prolific poet and writer of travel books * Lorrie Dunington-Grubb (1877–1945) – landscape architect * Mary Wrinch (1877-1969) – painter *

Mazo de la Roche Mazo de la Roche (; born Maisie Louise Roche; January 15, 1879 – July 12, 1961) was a Canadian writer who was the author of the ''Jalna (novel series), Jalna'' novels, one of the most popular series of books of her time. Biography Early li ...

(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 *

(1882-1970) – painter of military portraits, landscapes and still life * Dorothy Stevens (1888-1966) – etcher and portrait painter * Rody Kenny Courtice (1891-1973) – painter and teacher; member of the Canadian Group of Painters *

Grace Morris Craig Grace Morris Craig (February 20, 1891 – 1987) was a Canadian writer and artist living in Ontario. The daughter of James Lewis Morris and Mary Agnes Menzies, both of Scottish descent, she was born Grace MacFarlane Morris in Pembroke, Ontario, ...

(1891-1987) - painter and writer * Yvonne McKague Housser (1897-1996) – painter often associated with the Group of Seven; member of Canadian Group of Painters *

Jacobine Jones Phyllis Jacobine Jones (1897–1976) was a sculptor. She was born in England, but migrated to Canada in 1932. Career Jones traveled around Denmark, Italy and France with her mother for years until, at 28, she studied casting, carving, and ...

(1897-1976) – sculptor *

(1898-1994) – landscape and portrait painter * Jane Mallett (1899-1984) – actor *Lorna McLean Sheard (1901-1983) – actor and theatrical director who created an Experimental Theatre Group at Hart House Theatre in the early 20th century * Alexandra Luke (1901-1967) – painter; Member of

Painters 11 Painters Eleven (also known as Painters 11 or P11) was a group of abstract artists active in Canada between 1953 and 1960. They are associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement. History Since the 1920s, artists in English Canada had been h ...

*Mona Coxwell (1892-?) – writer, dramatist; published theatre periodical called “The Curtain Call” from 1929 to 1941; member of the

Canadian Women’s Press Club Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

* Isabel McLaughlin (1903 – 2002) – artist, patron and philanthropist; member of the Canadian Group of Painters * Claire Wallace (c.1900–1968) – journalist at the

Toronto Star The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and part ...

and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio broadcaster *Ellen Elliot (1901-1973) – publisher and editor *

Marie McPhedran Marie Green Duncan McPhedran, (October 29, 1900 – September 1, 1974) was a Canadian novelist and writer of short stories for children. Her book ''Cargoes on the Great Lakes'' won the 1952 Governor General's Awards for juvenile fiction. Biography ...

(1900-1974) – writer; Governor General's Award winner *Byrne Hope Sanders (1902-1981) – journalist, editor of

Magazine 1929 – 1952 *Lotta Dempsey (1905 – 1988) – journalist; wrote for the Globe and Mail and columnist at the

for many years * Ruby Mercer (1906-1999) – opera singer and founder of

Opera Canada ''Opera Canada'' is a quarterly music magazine published by Opera Canada Publications. It is the oldest continuously published arts magazine in Canada. It is an independent magazine separate from the Canadian Opera Association. Along with Opera ...

Magazine and writer *

Muriel Stafford Muriel may refer to: Places *Muriel de Zapardiel, a municipality in the province of Valladolid, Spain *Muriel, Zimbabwe, a settlement *Muriel Lake, British Columbia, Canada *Muriel Lake (Alberta), Canada *Muriel Peak, a summit in California Peopl ...

(1906-2004) – organist and choir master *Eleanor Beecroft (1906-2007) – actor *Helen Sewell (1906-2001) – painter and teacher * Margaret Aitken (1908-1980) – journalist at the Toronto Telegram and the Globe and Mail who later became a politician *

Isabel LeBourdais Isabel LeBourdais, née Russell, changed later to Erichsen-Brown (15 April 1909 – 2003) was a Canadian journalist and writer."ISABEL LeBOURDAIS 1909-2003: Her book said Truscott trial wrong". ''The Globe and Mail'', April 14, 2003. She is best ...

(1909-2003) – journalist and author *

Hilda Kay Grant Hilda Kay Grant (November 29, 1910 – May 11, 1996) was a Canadian writer and artist who published both non-fiction work under her own name and novels under the pen name Jan Hilliard. Biography Born Hilda Kay in 1910 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ...

(1910-1996) – writer and artist *Kay Kritzwiser (1910-2009) art critic, feature writer at the Globe and Mail * Bronisława Michałowska aka Bronka Michalowska (1915-2015) – ceramicist * Pearl Palmason (1915 -2006) – violinist; first woman to play violin section of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra *(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 Toronto Telegram *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 ComposersCanadian 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 Maryon Kantaroff (November 22, 1933 – June 9, 2019) was a Canadian sculptor known for her large-scale outdoor sculptures in bronze and other materials. Early life and education Kantaroff was born in Toronto, the child of Bulgarian parents.A Di ...

(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