hours, admission, accessibility, parking +more

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Visit the LAC

The Leamington Arts Centre (LAC) is a public, not-for-profit arts centre with a focus on exhibiting visual arts and developing arts and culture programming.

The LAC was established as the South Essex Arts Association in 1971 with the mandate to create, sustain and celebrate the arts. Over the years, the LAC has developed into a cultural pillar for uptown Leamington and a regional arts and culture destination. Supported by the Municipality of Leamington, donors and its members, LAC is a 10,000 square foot facility comprising of four exhibition spaces, a market place artist market, café and wine bar, an art supply store, an education studio and meeting spaces.

The LAC is an award winning organization known for its wide range of activities, and emphasis on community and local programming alongside ancillary events. The LAC presents a changing calendar of up to 40 diverse exhibitions each year and is home to the notable Henry collection and the LAC permanent collection, collectively comprising of over 600 Canadian, international, historical, and contemporary works of art.

Distinguished for offering a wide range of local programming, the LAC is committed to facilitating access and stimulating the appreciation and understanding for visual arts and relevant cultural topics.

Visiting Hours

Monday & Sunday: closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 11am – 5pm

*Holidays may affect these hours, please call ahead, 519-326-2711.

Admission 

$2

Free Admission

  • LAC members
  • Youth under the age of 12
  • Artist in a current exhibition
  • Support workers

 

 

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Directions

From Windsor (approximate travel time, 45min.)

  • Hwy #3
  • Right on Erie St. (Hwy #77) Leamington Exit
  • Right on Talbot St. W

Parking

  • All parking is free
  • 2-hour street parking in front and rear
  • All day parking in the nearby John St. and Russell St. Municipal lots
  • Artists dropping off work: 15min. loading zone parking is available directly in front, or from Mill St., the corridor on the East directly against the facility. We encourage artists to use the elevator entrance whenever delivering works, or to park and seek staff for carts and assistance.

Transit

  • Leamington Transit stop directly across the street
  • Transient boaters can take advantage of the free bus tokens available at the Leamington Municipal marina office.

Accessibility

The lac is committed to making our facility and the programs we deliver accessible.

Questions about accessibility? info@leamingtonartscentre.com

Wheelchair Accessibility

  • Ground level entrance (East side), Elevator to all floors, G Floor accessible washroom. Accessible parking on Talbot St. W in front.

Additional Accessibility

  • Rest benches and seating available in all gallery spaces. Strollers are welcome via the accessible entrance and children are free to visit. Service animals are also welcome with documentation.

Tours

Tours are available for schools as well as private and community groups, and clubs. Art workshop packages may also be added to a scheduled tour. For more information, visit our educators page.

Interested in booking a tour? director@leamingtonartscentre.com

Amenities

Elevator, washrooms, climate controlled, art supply shop, Market Place artist market cafe and wine bar directly inside, nearby dinning & shopping

Guidlines

The following guidelines are in place for the protection of the works of art and to ensure a pleasant visitor experience for all.

Touching
Please do not touch the artwork. Keep a safe distance between you and the works of art. Please do not lean on, or use the pedestals or plinths as writing surfaces, in any of the galleries. 

Food and Drink
Food and drink are only permitted in the galleries during special events and receptions., with the exception of the Market Place café and bar. During regular visits food and drinks are not permitted in the galleries. This is to help the gallery control insects and other pests which pose risks to the artwork. If you are attending for a receptions or event, please do not place drinks or food on any plinths or display intended for works of art only.

Mobile Phones
Please turn your cell phone to the vibrate setting, and be respectful of other visitors and staff working.  If you receive or need to make a call, please step outside of the gallery spaces for the duration of your phone call.

Photography
Photography of artwork is not permitted. This is to protect the copyright of the artists displaying their work. Photography from a distance of the LAC galleries is permitted without flash unless otherwise stipulated.  If in doubt, you can always ask one of our staff if it is okay, such as if it is your own artwork or a family member’s.

Commercial use or reproduction of any photograph or image, including the LAC logo taken from the website without express written permission of the copyright holder is strictly prohibited. 

Video Surveillance
Please be advised, for the protection of visitors, staff, and works of art, the LAC is monitored continuously by video surveillance in multiple locations.

Fragrance-Free Environment
Due to allergies and sensitivities, we ask that you refrain from wearing perfumes or heavily scented products when visiting. We thank you for your cooperation.

Accessibility
The LAC is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. An East side ground level entrance, elevator access to all floors, accessible main floor washroom. Service animals are welcome with appropriate documentation. Should other accommodations be required, please contact us to let us know your needs. Our staff will make every effort possible for accommodations.

COVID-19 & Illness
For the protection of other visitors and our staff, please follow recommendations of the public health official, such as wearing masks and social distancing. If you are showing symptoms of sickness or still recovering from an illness, please visit us another day. 

FAQ

Can I take photographs? What are the copyright policies?
The LAC does not generally allow photography of any specific work of art in order to protect an artist’s copyright. At special events or when visiting the gallery it may be acceptable to take a photograph of the entire gallery or exterior photos of the heritage building. It is best practice to check with a staff member in advance if you are permitted, or if you intend to photograph your work, or a family member’s, or would like to take photographs at a special event.

Why can’t I touch the art, frames, or sculptures?
To avoid accidents and damage, it is best to look with our eyes and not our hands. This is what we tell our young visitors. For adults we let them know that our skin and fingertips contain acids which over time will damage artwork, just as sunlight will. Some artwork on display is very valuable monetary and some cannot be replaced because the artist is deceased. Other works of art, such as local art, is very valuable to artists who create it so we ask that you be respectful of the artwork on display and not touch any artwork.

How often do you change exhibitions?
The LAC is a very active gallery offering a wide variety of exhibitions and displays, and affording many opportunities to artists. The LAC offers up to 36 exhibitions each year between our 3 gallery spaces on 2 floors making each visit a unique experience. For a complete list of exhibits please visit our exhibitions page.

What should I expect when I visit the LAC?
When you enter the LAC gallery will you will first enter our art supply shop. At the visitor desk you will be greeted by staff or volunteers to welcome you. Upon admission you will enter the first of three gallery spaces on the main floor including the Market Place artists market, café and wine bar. Visitors are welcome to sit, drink, and explore on their own taking as much time as they like. The second gallery is accessible by the staircase by the front entrance or from the elevator by the visitor service desk. The community gallery and meeting space is located on the second floor as well as the administrative and business offices. Additional washrooms are on the second floor as well.

In each gallery there is information about the exhibit including artist information, dates, etc. and each work of art has its own label with more specific information including title, media, and the sale price if applicable.

How do I purchase a work of art?

Most works on display at the LAC are for sale. Should you desire to purchase a piece of art or would like additional information, our staff and volunteers are happy to assist. If  the work to be purchased is from the Market Place it can be taken home same day. If the work is from an exhibition typically the buyer makes the payments, a red dot is placed next to the work indicated it’s sold and the work remains on display for the duration of the exhibit so that others may experience the full exhibition. Some exceptions may apply, such as if a buyer is from out of town.

Can I bring a group or get a tour?

The LAC welcomes private and groups fr0m clubs or institutions. If you have a large group you can pre-arrange a tour. We ask that tours be booked with at least 48h notice. There are not extra fees for tours, standard admission rates do apply.

Mission Statement

The South Essex Arts Association is dedicated to creating and sustaining a celebration of the human spirit through the nurturing of the arts within our community.

Values/Vision Statement

The South Essex Arts Association, in partnership with the various art mediums and other disciplines within the arts culture, promotes, fosters and stimulates the appreciation of the arts.Through artistic events and exhibitions with a special focus on the work of local artisans, SEAA assists in preserving all forms of art within the community.

Canadian Museums Association (CMA)

The Canadian Museums Association (CMA) is the voice for Canada’s vibrant museum community, from small, volunteer-driven organizations to cherished national institutions, and for the millions of Canadians whose lives are enriched by museums.

More Information on CMA: museums.ca

Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG)

The LAC is a proud member of the OAAG offering reciprocal benefits to over 80 institutions with your LAC membership card.

More Information on OAAG: www.oaag.org

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 ArtsBuild Ontario

The LAC is supported by ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO), a provincial arts service organization that provides small and medium-sized organizations with tools, training, and advice to successfully manage physical and digital creative spaces. 

 Volunteer Canada

 The LAC is a member of Volunteer Canada and has adopted their code and we are committed to demonstrating our value in volunteerism. 

 Safe Travels Stamp

The LAC was awarded the Safe Travels stamp, an international symbol indicating our adoption of health and hygiene standardized protocols.