While in Chicago preparing for the World's Columbian Exposition, sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens recommended Lawrence, who had been his pupil at the Art Students League of New York for the previous five years, for the creation of the monumental statue of Christopher Columbus to be placed at the entrance of the Administration Building.

"[3] St Gaudens biographer Bruce Wilkens relates that Millet objected to the prominent placement of the statue and arranged to have it moved to a spot near the train station.

"[4] Following the end of the Exposition Lawrence served as an assistant to St Gaudens, helping him in the creation of the General John A. Logan monument that was bound for Grant Park in Chicago.

Saint Gaudens, when he heard about the wedding "broke down and wept"[4] and bemoaned the loss of her artistic ability to a much less talented sculptor, saying that she would likely have "lots of festive children," but would produce no more significant art.

Lawrence did produce a few more works after her marriage, such as two fountains she created with her husband for the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York in 1901.