Lawrence House Centre for the Arts
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is a community arts centre in Sarnia-Lambton presenting rotating visual art exhibitions and juried shows, intimate concerts and open-mic nights, and a range of workshops and artist demonstrations. The centre publishes the digital literary journal Uproar and runs literary contests and readings, while operating a curated artisan shop featuring local makers. It serves as a local creative hub for artists, writers, students, and audiences, and posts community-focused events and seasonal programs such as children’s art camps.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 22nd, 2026
Recent Activity
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 — 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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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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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.
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Postponement of student awards reception and building hours notice
Following a tragic shooting at Lambton College, the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts has postponed its student awards reception to Friday, April 17, 2026. The Lawrence House will remain open to the public this evening until 9:00 PM for students and faculty who wish to gather; the announcement is signed by Leonard Segall, Chair of the Board of Directors.
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Arts Collective Exhibition Opening
The Lambton College Arts Collective Exhibition Opening takes place at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts on April 10, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, featuring photography by graduating students, pottery from the Ceramics Studio, awards at 7:00 PM, and a piano performance by John Pilat from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This First Friday showcase highlights student work in a community gallery setting and includes an awards presentation mid evening.
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From Thought to Final Form Fibre Art Exhibition
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts in person felting demonstrations by Patti Cook and Sharon Fraser at the From Thought to Final Form Fibre Art Exhibition on March 14 from 1 to 3 PM in the main gallery. Watch detailed felting techniques up close and bring your questions for the artists during the two hour session.
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Exhibition visiting hours and online links
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts is open for in person exhibition visits Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, through February 27, 2026, and offers online viewing and a shop for the Floyd Gibson 2026 collection. Visit the gallery website or the collection page to browse works or purchase if you cannot make an in person visit.
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Night of music with local musicians
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts hosts a Night of music with local musicians on Friday, February 20 at 7:00 PM, featuring Mike Blackmore, Daniel Murphy, and Brian Hynes. Tickets can be ordered at lawrencehouse.ca or bought in person during box office hours, and seating is limited so reserve soon.
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Open Stage cancelled tonight
Lawrence House Centre for the Arts announced that tonight's Open Stage is cancelled in a brief post on February 16, 2026, which also included a Family Day greeting. No reschedule or time details were provided, so check the centre's official channels for updates.
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Floyd Gibson Juried Show
The annual Floyd Gibson Juried Show returns to the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts from February 6 to February 27, 2026, showcasing juried work by local artists across Lambton County.
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Floyd Gibson Show Submission Deadline
The submission deadline for the Floyd Gibson Show is midnight on January 29, 2026, with winners announced on February 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
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Kathryn Rydgren's Poetry Works
Explore the powerful poetry of Kathryn Rydgren, featured in the Ceasefire Journal From Gaza, and experience her dynamic spoken word performances at local events.
