Congratulations to Lois Lorimer
A Message from the Board of Directors: Congratulations to Lois Lorimer
2026 Award Winner Professional Category 18th Brockville and Area Music and Performing Arts Hall of Fame
It is with great pride that the Board of Directors Arts Hub Brockville, extend our sincere congratulations to Lois Lorimer on her induction into the 18th Brockville and Area Music and Performing Arts Hall of Fame in the Professional Category. Since 2006, the Hall of Fame has recognized outstanding local artists and their contributions to the cultural life of our community. Lois’s career is a remarkable reflection of that spirit.
Summer & Smoke 1973 TISS
Lois’s journey began in Brockville, where, she has said, a supportive arts community shaped her path. From an early age, she was immersed in music, theatre, and creative expression, with formative experiences with the Brockville Theatre Guild and inspiration from the Brockville Operatic Society. These early opportunities set the stage for a lifelong commitment to the arts.
Her academic achievements demonstrate both dedication and passion. Lois earned a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Education in Curriculum with an Arts focus from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. This strong foundation supported a career that brought together performance, education, and writing.
As a performer, Lois appeared on some of Canada’s most respected stages, including six seasons with the Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara on the Lake. She trained at the National Theatre School of Canada and is a member of Canadian Actors’ Equity and ACTRA. Her work has also extended to radio, film, and television, reflecting her versatility and commitment to her craft.
Lois Lorimer in Great Expectations, with Peter Krantz
Rookery Nook, Shaw Festival
In addition to her work on stage, Lois has developed a strong voice as a poet and writer. As a member of The League of Canadian Poets and a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada, she continues to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s literary community. She organizes poetry readings, writes for The Fish Wrapper a Brockville art publication, and participates in literary festivals including the St. Lawrence Writers Festival.
Lois’s impact as an educator is equally significant. Over more than 20 years as a high school teacher in Toronto, she taught Creative Writing, Drama, and English, and later served as a teacher librarian. In these roles, she encouraged creativity, confidence, and a love of learning in her students, an influence that continues well beyond the classroom.
Throughout her career, Lois has remained deeply connected to Brockville. She has often described the community as a gift that helped shape her future, providing mentorship, opportunity, and encouragement. Today, she continues to give back, serving on the boards of Arts Hub Brockville and the Thousand Islands Playhouse.
Reflecting on her connection to this place, Lois shared, “I lived on the Scarborough Bluffs and would look out at the big blue plate of the lake and invariably turn and stare to the east. I really missed the river and the islands and am a homing pigeon. The artistic community here started me off, and I am happy to be back.”
Her words speak to a lasting bond with Brockville and to the importance of arts and community in shaping both individual lives and collective identity.
Today, we recognize not only Lois Lorimer’s professional accomplishments, but also her ongoing commitment to the arts, education, and community. Her career reflects what can grow from a strong local foundation, and her contributions continue to inspire.
A ceremony to mark this outstanding achievement will be held at the Brockville Arts Centre on March 26th with Aisle of Honour Event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Free admission.
For additional information about Lois’s published works, please visit https://www.loislorimer.com/index.html
The Board of Directors, offer our warmest congratulations on this well-deserved honour. Thank you, Lois, for sharing your talents so generously and for continuing to contribute to the community that first nurtured them.
Written by Loretta Corbeil