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Exhibition Jurors:
The jury for Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour's 100th Anniversary Exhibition at the Helson Gallery comprises two Elected CSPWC Members and one Guest Juror.
Kara Bruce, Helson Gallery
Kara Bruce is an Art Curator and Artist. As the Art curator for the Town of Halton Hills, she plays a key role in developing exhibitions and arts programming at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre and Helson Gallery. With a background in Art and Art history, Kara brings a thoughtful, inclusive approach to curatorial work, highlighting both emerging and established artists. Her experience working in arts education, art studios, and in art galleries for private and public organizations has given her a broader understanding of the arts, and its impact on the community.
Kara attended the University of Toronto and Sheridan College where she studied fine arts and art history. As an artist, she specializes in custom stone carving and stone carving restoration. Her work includes contributions to private and public buildings, such as the Legislative Building at Queen’s Park and, more recently, the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Missy Acker, CSPWC, SAA
Missy Acker is a wildlife artist living in Southern Ontario, Canada. Her subject matter is increasingly a reflection of her experiences in the natural world. Watercolour and its allies allow her to focus on the interplay of light and shadow over feathers and knobby skin, both of which are translucent to some extent as well. She enjoys sketching her subjects live in the field to inform her work in the studio.
Missy Acker is an Elected Member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) and a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists (SAA). In addition to frequent showings in the CSPWC’s own annual Open Water shows, Missy has been juried into several prestigious international wildlife-art focused shows—including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s Birds in Art and the SAA’s Art and the Animal—and has been an invited artist of The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions show.
Elizabeth Gilbert, President CSPWC, BScAAM BEd
Elizabeth Gilbert is honoured to be member of the CSPWC since 1997, serving on the Board 1998-2001, and since 2020 as Chair of New Members Jury and on the Board. Her long term commitment to the CSPWC led her to step in as President in May 2025.
Elizabeth has a degree in Medical Illustration, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, 1984. She also studied Fine Arts, Art History and Sciences at University of Guelph, Communication & Design at OCAD, and Environmental Science at UoT, Scarborough. In 2003 she completed her BEd at York University. Elizabeth taught advanced drawing courses at Camosun College. From 2003-2015 she taught Sciences, Arts and all courses at the Jr/Int level for YRDSB in Markham.
Elizabeth has shown her work frequently in CSPWC exhibitions, as well as with other groups including OSA. She draws upon her science background to find delight in natural subjects. Elizabeth travels extensively. Her passions include wilderness travel, hiking, kayaking, swimming and painting. She and her husband have two sons and one granddaughter.
