Dorothy Helyer is a full time artist, living in Christchurch, New Zealand where she works and exhibits nationally and internationally. She has always drawn and painted since childhood. Her original degree was in Anthropology /Archeology from the University of Otago. After a number of years teaching Dorothy returned to study and completed her BFA, BFA(Hons) then her MFA (Painting) with Distinction at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts completed in 2001. Since graduation she has exhibited successfully in numerous solo and group shows throughout New Zealand and has been a finalist in a number of national awards. This year she has been selected as a finalist in both the Waikato National Contemporary Art Awards and for the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award.

Dorothy Helyer's work is held in a number of collections, both corporate and private in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, UK and USA.