Lawrence House Centre for the Arts
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is a community arts centre in Sarnia-Lambton that presents rotating visual art exhibitions, juried shows, intimate concerts, and seasonal First Friday openings. The centre offers workshops, artist talks, networking programs, a curated artisan shop, and youth programming including summer arts camps. It also publishes the Uproar literary journal with contests, readings, and the Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize, and hosts open mic nights and volunteer-led outreach to support local artists and writers.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 22nd, 2026
Recent Activity
Peg Kivi exhibition
Peg Kivi is featured in an exhibition in the Turret Room at the Lawrence House, showcasing loose atmospheric watercolours and layered, textured acrylics. The artist has received two Arts Council Awards, and the gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for visits.
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Peg Kivi art exhibition
See Peg Kivi's watercolour and acrylic work at the Lawrence House throughout October, open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The exhibition showcases atmospheric watercolours and layered, textural acrylics, and notes that Kivi has received two Arts Council Awards; visit shop.lawrencehouse.ca for more details.
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Arts & Culture Crawl vendor participation
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is a vendor at the Arts and Culture Crawl organized by With A Side of Fun at 155 Front St N, offering a paint your own gift bag activity and supporting the Pathways Health Centre for Children. Pick up your registration package and map at With A Side of Fun between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM, and register online through the event link or visit the organizer's Facebook page for details.
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Paint your own gift bag (Arts and Culture Crawl)
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts will run a paint your own gift bag activity as part of the Arts and Culture Crawl, supporting Pathways Health Centre for Children. Participants are asked to register via With A Side of Fun for the activity; additional event details are available through that registration channel.
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Sarnia Artists’ Workshop Annual awards show opening
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts a First Friday opening featuring the Sarnia Artists’ Workshop Annual awards show in the main Gallery and a Peg Kivi exhibition in the Turret Gallery, with live piano music by John Pilat from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Stop by to meet participating artists and enjoy an evening of local art and music.
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First Friday exhibitions opening with piano music
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts First Friday with two openings: the Sarnia Artists’ Workshop Annual awards show in the main Gallery and Peg Kivi in the Turret Gallery, accompanied by piano music from John Pilat. Join the evening from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM to meet the artists and enjoy live music in the gallery setting.
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Profile and interview with local poet Joseph A Farina
The Literary Committee and the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts published a profile and interview with local poet Joseph A Farina on 2026-09-29, featuring an engaging conversation and a selection of his poetry. The piece invites readers to check out the interview and read his evocative poems, making it a good read for anyone interested in local literary voices.
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Sarnia Concert Association — Season Opening Concert
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts shared a notice announcing the Sarnia Concert Association season opening concert, described as the first concert of their new season. Watch the association channels for program, performer, and ticket information from this community oriented, all volunteer music series.
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Open Stage
Open Stage returns to the Turret Room on Monday, September 14 at 7 PM with new co hosts Mark Blaney and Jonathan Chamberlain. Admission is free, performers including musicians and poets are welcome, and the house piano and guitar are available for use in a quiet, intimate setting.
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The Painted History of Poland
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts presents The Painted History of Poland for one afternoon on 2026-08-29 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, featuring over 20 historic Polish paintings. This compact exhibit is a great midday cultural stop for neighbors who want to see notable Polish works in an intimate arts center setting.
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Development and Networking program
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts its first Development and Networking program on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00 PM, featuring mural artist Kennady Rayn of Seventh Rayn Design Co. The free session features a presentation on her mural practice and offers time for artists to connect and network.
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First Friday — The Art Life: Colour and Texture opening
First Friday at the Lawrence House features the opening of the members exhibition The Art Life: Colour and Texture on August 7, from 6 to 9 PM. Poetry readings by the Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize winners begin upstairs in the turret room at 7 PM, making for an artsy evening of visual work and live verse.
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Artist Talk: Rabia Rizvi
Rabia Rizvi presents an artist talk about her exhibition We Bear Witness 2 at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts on Sunday, July 26 at 1:00 PM. Admission is free and all are welcome, making this an easy opportunity to hear the artist speak about her work and see the show.
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Reading for past and present contest finalists and Open Mic
The Uproar Literary Committee presents a reading of past and present contest finalists with an open mic on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Turret Room at the Lawrence House Centre For The Arts in Sarnia. Part of First Friday activities, this intimate evening invites the community to listen, share, and celebrate local writing.
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Uproar Journal edition: Sometimes Hollowed Bones Do Creator's Work
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts named Michael Eshkibok guest editor for the Uproar Journal edition Sometimes Hollowed Bones Do Creator's Work, and local Indigenous people are especially invited to contribute. Visit the project page for submission details and guidance from the guest editor.
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Poetry awards presentation and open mic
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts invites the community to an evening that begins with poetry award presentations and readings by this year's winners, then opens the floor to an open mic. The hosts welcome friends of Carmen Ziolkowski and local writers, with the program starting at 7:00 PM in the Turret Room.
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First Friday opening with live music
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts a First Friday opening on July 3, 2026, featuring the exhibitions "We Bear Witness 2" by Rabia Rizvi and "Familiar Places" by Sydney McKichan, with both artists present from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Enjoy live outdoor music by Missy Burgess from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, weather permitting.
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First Friday July 3rd at the Lawrence House
First Friday at the Lawrence House on July 3, 2026 runs from 6 to 9 PM and features two exhibition openings plus outdoor music by Missy Burgess from 6:30 to 8 PM, weather permitting. The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts this evening of new work and community gathering.
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Canada Day closure notice
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts will be closed on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 for Canada Day, the organization notes with a Happy Canada Day greeting. If you planned a visit, rehearsal, or program at the centre on that date, reschedule or check the centre's channels for updated hours.
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Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize winners announcement and reading
The Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize winners were announced, with Grace Vermeer taking First Prize of $500 and Stratford Poet Laureate David Stones earning both Second Prize $250 and Third Prize $100. A public reading and Open Mic for finalists will be held during First Friday at the Lawrence House Centre For The Arts in Sarnia on August 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
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Three Fires by the Water
Three Fires by the Water showcases work by members of Kettle and Stony Point, Aamjiwnaang, and Walpole Island First Nations at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, running through June 27, 2026. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering a concise opportunity to see contemporary Indigenous art before the show closes.
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First Nations Festival on the Lawn
The Lawrence House is hosting its annual First Nations Festival on the Lawn on 2026-06-07 with live music and artists booths. Stop by to enjoy performances outdoors and to visit the Three Fires by the Water First Nations art exhibition that runs through June.
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Niswi Ishkoden Niibiing / Three Fires by the Water First Nations Festival
The Lawrence House invites you to the Niswi Ishkoden Niibiing / Three Fires by the Water First Nations Festival on Sunday, June 7 from 12 PM to 4 PM on the lawn, featuring singing and drumming by E'mnotaagzijig / Sounding Harmonious Together and the Chippewa Point Singers. First Nations artists will sell beadwork, jewellery, sweetgrass, paintings, t-shirts and cards, and a dedication of the Veteran's Crosswalk at Christina and Wellington Streets takes place at 2 PM.
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Niswi Ishkoden Niibiing / Three Fires by the Water art exhibition opening
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts the opening of Niswi Ishkoden Niibiing / Three Fires by the Water on June 3 as part of Sarnia First Friday. Meet artists from Aamjiwnaang, Kettle and Stony Point, and Walpole Island First Nations while the Forest Excelsior Band plays on the lawn from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
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Niswi Ishkoden Niibiing / Three Fires by the Water First Nations Festival on the Lawn
On Sunday, June 7 from 12 to 4 PM, the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts Niswi Ishkoden Niibiing Three Fires by the Water First Nations Festival on the Lawn at the corner of Christina and Wellington Streets. Hear E'mnotaagzijig / Sounding Harmonious Together and the Chippewa Point Singers, and explore booths of First Nations beadwork, jewellery, sweetgrass, paintings, t shirts and cards.
