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 community events such as First Friday openings and seasonal festivals. The centre offers workshops, artist demonstrations, a curated artisan shop, and publishes the Uproar literary journal while running writing contests and readings, including the Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize. It supports local artists, writers, volunteers, and families through outreach programs and public gatherings.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 22nd, 2026
Recent Activity
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.
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100 Scarves knitting group donations
The 100 Scarves knitting group meets weekly at the Lawrence House from September through May to produce donated scarves for a variety of charities. If you want to help knit for local causes, contact their page to find out how to join the group and its weekly sessions.
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100 Scarves knitting group — weekly meetings
The 100 Scarves knitting group meets weekly at the Lawrence House from September to May, producing donated scarves for a roster of local charities. Interested volunteers should contact the group page to learn about meeting times, supplies, and how to get involved.
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Spring into Summer Arts and Crafts Event booth
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts will staff a booth at the Spring into Summer Arts and Crafts Event at Baxter Park on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Stop by to meet artists, watch demonstrations, and get details about childrens summer art camps run by The Art House - SARNIA.
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Assistant to the Board of Directors
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is hiring a summer student Assistant to the Board of Directors from June 28 to August 29, 2026. The paid position is 30 hours a week at $17.60 an hour, and applications are due by end of Friday, June 5; applicants must be youth under 30 and a landed immigrant or Canadian citizen under the Canada Summer Jobs program.
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Sandra Elizabeth Mogensen in Concert
Sandra Elizabeth Mogensen performs a two part concert at The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts on Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM, featuring uplifting composer pieces and a jazz pianist inspired second half. Tickets are $14 including HST and can be purchased via the event photo link or at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts.
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Piano concert featuring Adam Kilner and John Josef
Adam Kilner and John Josef played a sold out piano concert in the Turret Room on 2026-05-22, shared by the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts with photos of the performers and the audience. The post includes a selfie of Adam and a photo of John at the piano, capturing the intimate atmosphere of the evening.
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Piano concert by Adam Kilner and John Josef
Adam Kilner and John Josef played a sold out piano concert in the Turret Room, reported by the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. The post highlights a performance moment with John at the piano, signaling an intimate, well attended evening of piano music on Friday, May 22, 2026.
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Open Stage
Open Stage at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is cancelled for Victoria Day and is on summer vacation until September, the organization announced. Regular attendees should check the centre for scheduling and ticket updates as the series prepares to resume in September.
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Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is accepting submissions for the fifth annual Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize through May 15, 2026, with $500 for first place and publication in the Uproar Literary Blog. Entry fees are $10 for up to three poems or $5 for members, and a spoken word event to honor winners is planned for August 7.
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May newsletter preview exhibition, artist spotlight, and upcoming events
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts published its May newsletter on 2026-05-02 with a preview of The Lambton County High School Art Show and an artist spotlight on member Wilma Mehl. The newsletter also notes Mehl has work in the Paint Ontario Exhibition in Grand Bend and lists upcoming events at Lawrence House, with the full PDF available at the provided link.
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High School Art Show exhibition
The Lambton County High School Art Show at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts opened on Sarnia First Friday and runs through May 28, 2026. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with photos shared of three young artists and their work.
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Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize — submission deadline and entry details
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is accepting submissions for the fifth annual Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize, seeking heartfelt, nature based, hopeful poems through May 15, 2026. Entry costs $10 for up to three poems or $5 for members; full submission details are on the official entry page.
