"The Art Life, Texture and Colour"
Opening First Friday August 7 is an exhibition of art by the Members of the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. This Exhibition runs through the month of August in both Galleries. To view the entire collection click on the link.
Uproar Open Mic First Friday
The Uproar Literary Committee is hosting a special Open Mic in the Turret Room:
First Friday August 7 at 7:00 PM
to celebrate 5 years of the Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize. There will be readings by past and present winners and everyone is welcome. The first place poem selected for this years Poetry Prize is local poet Vermeer’s contemplative poem “A Glimpse of the Afterlife: Cento for Carmen”. Second and third place prizes were awarded to Stratford Poet Laureate David Stones.
"Sometimes Hollowed Bones Do Creator's Work" Call for Submissions
The Lawrence House Uproar Online Literary Journal invites contributions for its upcoming edition entitled “Sometimes Hollowed Bones Do Creator’s Work: A Gathering of Voices.”
This edition celebrates Indigenous writers and artists of all ages with a special emphasis on local contributors. For this special edition, content includes all Indigenous lived experiences. Artists are invited to submit videos, photography, and written word forms of expression (e.g. poetry, fiction or non-fiction prose).
Deadline for submission is August 30. Publication on September 30, 2026.
Stacey Nahdee, cultural practitioner from Bkejwanong territory, is our special facilitator for this edition. Stacey speaks of the intent of the collection: “This edition of Uproar highlights the necessity of becoming hollow bones so Creator can work through us, as expressed through family and community history, written and oral tradition, culture and ceremony, language and art, song and dance; while honoring grief, loss, resiliency, wisdom, laughter, peace, and harmony.”
An open mic event celebrates this collection of voices, set for October 4, 2026, in the Turret Room at the Lawrence House, hosted by the Lawrence House Literary Committee. At this live event, the artists included in this edition of Uproar are invited to present their work in person. Following the presentation is an open mic welcoming anyone who feels called to share their words, songs, or music celebrating Indigenous people, art and culture.
https://lawrencehouse.ca/
Development & Networking Program for Artists
Tuesday August 25, the Lawrence House will host artist Kennady Rayn, owner of Seventh Rayn Design Co., who will give a presentation on her practice as a mural artist at 6:00 PM. This will be the first session in our new Development and Networking program for Artists funded in part by the County of Lambton Creative County Grants Program.
The Lawrence House will be hosting these ongoing artist presentations the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:00-9:00 PM. Each evening an artists will give an hour long presentation on an aspect of their professional practice. Topics may include artistic technique, studio practice, obtaining commissions, developing a portfolio, obtaining gallery representation, participating in art festivals and other aspects of the artist’s career. There will be time for discussion, questions and answers, and also time for informal networking. All artists are invited to attend these free sessions to learn, to meet and to network together.
Kennady Rayn is an accomplished mural artist having completed many private and public murals both individually and in collaboration with other artists. She will talk about various aspects of painting murals including obtaining commissions, conceptual design, preparatory sketches and drawings, surface choice, surface preparation, choice of medium and brushes, roughing in the design and painting the mural safely, and protecting the finished mural from the environment. After her presentation there will be time for questions and answers, followed by time for socializing over cookies and nonalcoholic drinks.
Slow Flow Yoga sessions with Monica Gillis will begin a new session in September. Monica is offering a class at 10:00 AM or 11:30 AM. Registration is required as space is limited. Please email butterflyrisingyogaandwellness@gmail.com
Summer Art Camps
The Lawrence House is thrilled to have The Art House Sarnia bring Children’s Art classes back to the House. The Art House Sarnia camps at The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts will make art education more accessible, vibrant and central to community life, inspiring the next generation of artists here in downtown Sarnia.
Summer Art Camps begin July 6th for ages 6-12 and run to the end of August. Check out the Art House Sarnia website for all classes. information.