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Powell Gallery Kathy MooreMarch 17 – April 17, 2025. The Timeless Beauty of Utah and Arizona by David Hillock and Portraits of Our Neighbours by Gord McElroy

Open to the public on Mondays: March 17, 24, 31, April 07,14 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Saturdays: March 29 and April12 from 11:00am – 2:00 pm.

Over its 137-year history, our Club has been shaped by dedicated Members who have not only sustained it, but also helped it flourish. Our upcoming gallery showcase highlights the work of two exceptional photographers—David Hillock and Gord McElroy—whose landscapes and portraits enrich our community. Their passion for photography, generosity, and countless hours of service make the Toronto Camera Club a truly special place.

David Hillock, a member since 2006, is a devoted volunteer who plays a vital role in the Club’s success. He chairs multiple committees, manages our website, and leads the Club’s volunteer appreciation efforts—an initiative he personally established and continues to support. As the friendly face who welcomes new Members to our weekly meetings, David embodies the spirit of the Club. It’s only fitting that he also serves as our Santa during the holiday portrait sessions, bringing joy to our neighbours each year.
David’s love for photography began around the age of 10 when his mother gave him a Brownie Holiday camera. As a young teenager, he wrote his own column and took photos for a local weekly newspaper. But as life unfolded—with marriage, children, and later, university—photography took a back seat. That changed in 2006 when David retired and joined the Toronto Camera Club, rekindling his passion for the craft, a passion that continues to thrive today.

Gord McElroy became a member of the Club in 2004 and held the position of President from 2008 to 2010. His passion for photographing people began 50 years ago when he started using a 35mm camera and developing photos in a darkroom. Today, he leads the Studio Lighting Workshops, through which numerous Club members, including myself, have experienced the enchantment of studio photography.
Several years ago, the Club began hosting open houses during local special events such as the Fall Festival and Open Doors. During these events, we provided portrait sessions for attendees and emailed the images to them. These sessions have been incredibly popular, with many Club photographers taking part.
The prints displayed in the gallery feature images of neighbors who walked in off the street and posed for photographs. These sessions have been a source of great enjoyment and have resulted in some truly remarkable images capturing the spirit of our community.
If you recognize anyone in the portraits on display and would like a print, please feel free to email . and he will be happy to arrange for you to receive the prints after the gallery show concludes in April.

Iskouhee Kirakosyan, Powell Gallery Director/Curator,

McGregor TrophySeptember 08, 25 - October 06, 2025.: The 2025 McGregor Nature Trophy Winners Exhibit

Open to the Public on Mondays: September 08, 15, 22, 29 and October 06 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm, and on Saturday, September 20, from 10am – 4pm.

The McGregor Trophy is one of the Club’s most prestigious honours — and, quite literally, one of the heaviest — crafted almost 70 years ago.

Established in 1956 by dedicated members Harry and Kay McGregor, the award was created to promote the then-burgeoning field of nature photography. The McGregors welcomed judging sessions and workshops into their home, and Kay — a distinguished nature photographer — chaired the Nature Competitions for many years. Her work appeared in leading nature magazines and calendars.

This exhibition features 31 images by Bill Komar, Bonnie Cutten, Catalin Sandu, Christopher Siou, Connie Lee, Doug Morris, Felix Rivero, Fraser Shein, Guilherme Andrade, Janna Cheng, Monica Dingle, Pat Gerada, Ron Pearson, Scott Bennett, Stephen Dunn. Tony Mandle, Vladimir Palchkov, as well as Andrew Wodzinski, Anneliese Voigt, Barbara McArthur, Dror Orbach, Gareth Jones, Howard Weinberg, Stewart Stein, Susan Lemieux, Terry Jankelow, Yves L’Italien, selected from the 581 submitted to the three Nature Competitions of 2024/2025. Twenty-one are the season’s top winners, and ten are curator’s choices — also from winning works. Space constraints meant leaving out many spectacular entries. This photography show celebrates the breathtaking beauty of the natural world, featuring extraordinary wildlife and landscape images captured with remarkable skill and vision. From dramatic vistas bathed in golden light to intimate portraits of animals in their natural habitats, each photograph invites viewers to pause and connect with the wonder of nature. The collection showcases diverse environments, from serene, untouched wilderness to rugged, awe-inspiring terrains. Every image tells a story—of fleeting moments, untamed beauty, and the artistry of observation—offering a visual journey that is both inspiring and unforgettable. A must-see for lovers of nature, photography, and the extraordinary.

Almost all the photographs are accompanied by technical details and fascinating insights into the moment of capture.

Iskouhee Kirakosyan, Powell Gallery Director/Curator,

McGregor TrophySeptember 11 - September 23, 2023:The 2023 McGregor Nature Trophy Winners Exhibit

Open to the Public: Mondays – September 11, 18, 25 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday, and September 23, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Powell Gallery welcomes you back on September 11, 2023 at 5 pm with the opening of the new and exciting exhibit of the 2022-2023 McGregor Nature Trophy winning images.

The McGregor Trophy was donated in 1956 by devoted club members Harry and Kay McGregor to promote Nature photography which was in its infancy at the time. Their home was always open to judging sessions and workshop activities. Kay was a superior Nature photographer. She was a judge, chaired the Nature competitions for many years. Her work was published in nature magazines and calendars.

Eighteen images by top winners - Katie Mak, Lucie DiPronio and Jill Lam, Runner ups - Barb McArthur, Connie Lee, Catalin Sandu, Eugene Rodos, James Cuthbert, Mona Turnbull and Monica Dingle, as well as images that got an honourable mentions - Colleen Pollack, Garnet Rich, Gina Jackson, Iskouhee and Kathryn Moore are on display along with detailed information of technical and fun facts related to the images.

Iskouhee Kirakosyan, Powell Gallery Curator,

McGregor Trophy

October 2, 2023 to October 21, 2023: Canada's Secret Island by Stewart Stein

Open to the Public on Mondays, October 2, 9, and 16 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm and
Saturday, October 21, from 11:00am to 2:00pm

Stewart Stein, a Toronto Camera Club member since 2015, has been pursuing photography since he was a teenager, inspired and encouraged by his father, an avid photographer. He feels most comfortable behind the camera as being more of an introvert. If you browse Stewart’s Instagramimages you'll see that just about everything interests him from nature to street photography. His interests outside of photography include astronomy, painting andsketching, stone carving, mycology and birding.

Grand Manan (NB) Island located on Canada’s east coast, in the Bay of Fundy, is a jewel of an island. Steeped in Maritime history, rich in natural beauty, geology, birds and sea life, Grand Manan Island is a photographer’s paradise. However, most people have never heard of it and cannot locate it on a map. It is as though a secret. Images of the island skilfully captured by Stewart will surely wet viewers appetite to explore Grand Manan island for themselves.

Iskouhee Kirakosyan, Powell Gallery Curator,

Powell Gallery Batterfly Max SkwarnaOctober 23, 2023 - November 11, 2023: Nature in Focus by Max Skwarna

Open to the Public on Mondays, October 23,30 and November 6, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Max Skwarna rejoined the Toronto Camera Club in 2022/23. Originally from Montreal, Max fostered his love of photography at the age of 18 with his first camera, a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. After moving to Toronto to work with Gerald Campbell, one of most prestigious portrait photographers in the country, Max began shooting with illustrious photographers Al Gilbert, Tibor Horvath, and nature photographer Dan Gibson. At 23, Max acquired Ashley & Crippen Photography from Gibson and struck out on his own to bring new life to the oldest portrait studio in Canada.

At 40, Max began taking photos while hiking the Bruce Trail in Southern Ontario. Over the past three decades, Max has honed his love for nature photography all over the world, taking thousands of pictures of flora and fauna. For the past four years, Max has focused his nature photography on his favourite spots in Ontario, including the Rouge Valley, the Blackwater Rail Trail, and Carden Alvar Provincial Park—all of which are featured in this show. Retiring from portrait photography in 2022, Max plans to spend his retirement further exploring his passion for nature photography.

Although he loves wild birds, his most treasured captures are of butterflies.

Iskouhee Kirakosyan, Powell Gallery Curator,

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