In the summer of 1997, Helsaple was one of 16 artists’ invited to paint at the Forbes, Chateau de Balleroy in France. The Chateau De Balleroy is near the coast of Normandy and near the gardens of the mid-western region of France, noted to be the area which inspired the great French Impressionist such as Renoir, Monet and Monat.

An exhibition of paintings to celebrate the Quadrennial (400^th) Anniversary of the Chateau’s architect, Francois Mansart  was held at the Forbes Gallery in New York through the summer of 1998.  Several articles appeared during the spring, 1998, in American Artist Magazine, Watercolor Magazine and several French publications highlighting the artists' experience and artwork generated about the Chateau. Some of my paintings are included in the places section.