Why, How, Who?

  • To create a space where community and creativity meet.

    A place full of warmth and laughter where we gather to be entertained, to relax, to explore new ideas, to be heard and to learn something new.

  • We are dedicated to the process of creation through community engagement.

    We find joy—not because the art is finished or polished, but because it’s alive and full of possibilities.

    We value great conversation and a good night’s sleep so we are a no wi-fi, no booze location.

  • Events : We call them GATHERINGS. Music, improv, guest lectures, board game days, D&D campaigns, Knitting clubs, tea tastings, play readings, fashion shows... the list goes on… and on… and continues to grow as more of your ideas pour in.

    seeour calendar for what’s happening next!

    Tea Bar: Our Tea bar is one of the highlights of our space.
    Tea by day /
    and eventually..mocktails by night.

    All of our loose-leaf teas are 100% sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and contain no artificial flavours.

    Bookshop: We sell a selection of interesting used books

    Boutique: We sell curated finds - fashion & lifestyle.

    Workshops: Some workshops will be held in our main space but others may be held upstairs in our studio space .
    We look to the community for what they are longing to learn and work to provide it!

  • We are Deanna, Lauren & Sara-Jeanne.

    Three women from three different backgrounds who share similar passions — the art of laughter, the joy of gathering people, the delight in the energy of spaces filled with creativity, and a constant desire to keep learning.

  • We named THE LEONOR after the Argentine-Italian surrealist painter, Leonor Fini.

    A painter, yes, but a designer of jewelry, furniture, and fashion. She also designed sets and costumes for theatre and opera.

    Fini’s works explored surrealist themes, such as dreams, the unconscious, and metamorphoses of the mind and body.

    “I am an artist,” she would say. ‘Not a woman artist, not a man artist, but an artist.’

    Fierce, mysterious, and gloriously unclassifiable — Leonor Fini (1907–1996)

    We are enduringly inspired by her unique point of view and prolific artistry.

LAUREN BOWLER
Lauren is mightily hoping to make it to 50 countries by her 50th birthday. She’s daunted by still needing 23 nations to go, but at least she has 32 years to do it. Aside from fudging numbers, Lauren’s greatest pleasures include watching horror movies with her husband Kale and their cats, drinking tea, and talking politics, ideally all at the same time. Lauren’s professional habits include traipsing across the country as a theatre actor, and owning two tea shops in BC. Up next, she plans to master folding a fitted sheet.

DEANNA HORTON
Deanna, the bookworm, is still hoping to launch her singing career, but unfortunately her acid-reflux-infused vocal cords dictate otherwise.  In her previous reincarnation, Deanna lived a peripatetic diplomatic life in Hamburg, Tokyo (twice!), Washington (twice!) and Hanoi so you will forgive her vast gaps of knowledge about Canadian popular culture.  What did she miss most living abroad?  English language theatre (although she does love kabuki)!  Hence the move to Stratford.  Next up: learning how to hammer a nail... 

SARA-JEANNE HOSIE
SJ, the extrovert, looks forward to sharing with you in the mayhem and magic created here at THE LEONOR. A woman who wears many hats from theatre artist, stylist, writer, designer, to tea enthusiast, wife, dog mom & empath ; SJ’s main aspiration is to master the Hokey Pokey (cuz, she’s been told, that’s what it’s all about).
Hailing from the west coast 13 years ago - Stratford has become home.