June Newsflash from VAM

Image credit: Matthew Salisbury, Summer at VAM, Ink, gouache, and digital media

Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends,

We are so excited to be launching our summer program. With luck we will be able to host some of our adult courses at Visual Arts Mississauga and we have a fantastic roster of programs for Kids, Teens and Adults online. We have received such great feedback from students about their online experience, these offerings will continue even when we open up courses at VAM.

On a bittersweet note - VAM was notified that we lost two members recently.

Gil Caldwell passed on May 18. He was a renowned artist and long-time Springbank/VAM member who shared his love of art with so many. His annual solo exhibition in the VAM Gallery was highly anticipated by collectors and friends. Gil generously designated VAM as the recipient of memorial donations. Gil's obituary can be read here

And VAM member Kay Kereliuk passed on February 16. To honour Kay's love of and dedication to art-making, her family made a generous donation to VAM which was directed to the Memorial Fund and to the Creative Kids' Fund. Kay's obituary can be read here.

If you would like to make a donation to VAM in memory of a loved one - please see our donations page here for more information or feel free to contact me.

As we continue on in this challenging time - we thank you for your support, your donations, the emails of encouragement to the team. It means the world to us. Have a Safe, Happy and Creative Summer.

Annis Karpenko

Executive Director

Visual Arts Mississauga at Riverwood

215 Children

Visual Arts Mississauga at Riverwood is committed to being an ally for the Indigenous community. We continue to learn, unlearn and relearn in our practices, to advocate for truth, reconciliation and healing for all Indigenous peoples across this land. We are here for all our Indigenous community members during this moment of grieving.

For those who need support, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Hotline can be reached at 1-866-925-4419.

For those who are interested in further resources to learn and unlearn more, resources can be found here.

Visual Arts Mississauga acknowledges that the land on which we operate is the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the traditional homeland of the Anishinaabe, Wendat, and Haudenosaunee nations. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement. Today, this place is still home to many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on this land.

Image Source: Peel Aboriginal Network Facebook Page

Summer Course Registration Now Open!

Registration is NOW OPEN for Visual Arts Mississauga's Summer Courses! Our Interactive Summer Brochure is HERE! Just click on the course title bar to go directly to the registration page on our website.

Join us for Summer Online and Plein Air Courses for Adults, Teens and Kids. Course options include painting, drawing, watercolour, portraiture, clay handbuilding and more! Register at visualartsmississauga.com.

View Summer Brochure Here

Changes at Visual Arts Mississauga

After 2 years of exceptional service, VAM thanks our Program Development Manager Leslie Page for her heartfelt contributions to Visual Arts Mississauga. We will miss her excellent programming and wish Leslie all the best as she begins her new adventure living in Vancouver, British Columbia!

VAM congratulates Wendy Heagney-Bakewell (our current Program Coordinator) as she steps into her new role as VAM's

Program Development Manager. We look forward to announcing Wendy's new programming this Fall Season.

VAM's congratulates our hardworking Office Coordinator Amanda Foulds who has been hired as our new Program Coordinator where she will design VAM's popular Children and Teen Programs.

VAM wishes to congratulate Emily Webb who steps into the role of VAM's new Office Coordinator!

Congratulations goes out to Pooja Raghunandan who steps in the role of VAM's new Tech Coordinator (made possible through the Ontario Trillium Foundation).

Congratulations to Artist Alethia Caraccioli, VAM's new Supplies Coordinator. (made possible through the Ontario Trillium Foundation).

Discover Your Sketchbook Style

The sketchbook is a space for expression and exploration - don’t let its blank pages hold you back. Join our Artist Instructors this summer for weekly inspiration in our new online workshop series. Each week connect to your creativity with guidance from a different Artist Instructor who will share new approaches, provide motivating prompts and showcase techniques. All are welcome and materials are included.

Upcoming Sessions Include:

✔️Inspired by Nature with Nicole Clouston

June 16 at 6:30 pm

✔️Inspired by Abstraction with Zan Barrage

June 23 at 6:30 pm

Visit our website

New Exhibition: In the Spotlight

VAM is pleased to announce the launch of the VAM Kids' Show: In the Spotlight

Enjoy artwork created by students from the Spring Session of VAM Kids, VAM Kids Draw & VAM Kids Comics (ages 6-13). VAM Kids programming for children age 6-13 covers a wide scope of themes, techniques and approaches to art-making that celebrate self-expression. Each week, our students practice their foundational skills, build confidence, explore various art media and learn to trust their own abilities while expressing their creativity.

View Exhibition Here

VAM Members' Show & Sale

VAM is accepting digital submissions for the VAM Members’ Show & Sale! The exhibition will be on display in the virtual VAM Gallery from July 8 to August 27, 2021. Those who paid for the 2020 show do not need to pay again but they MUST complete a new submission form with details for the online exhibition.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ARTWORK AND DETAILS: JUNE 11, 2021

Apply Here

New Exhibition: VAM's Creative Residency (VCR)

VAM is closed to the public but the art is up! VAM's Creative Residency's artwork can be seen through the glass at VAM's art centre in Riverwood Park. As we look forward to the future of returning to exhibitions in-person, VCR has installed art for visitors of Riverwood to happen upon as they embark on the trails and enjoy the nature surrounding our centre. If you are in Riverwood, look for the VCR QR code to link to the exhibition and learn about our Creative Residents. Enjoy this unexpected encounter with art!

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VAM Kids' Summer Art Camp

VAM Kids Summer Art Camp is back! Register your child for VAM's popular summer program while spaces last. Each week has a different theme and special guests will join each Wednesday. As part of our half-day online program, campers will engage with their small peer group by participating in interactive games and activities. Art-Kit will be provided. Register for as many weeks as you wish!

Teen Exhibition: Next Gen

Visual Arts Mississauga is proud to announce it will launch its new Teen Art Exhibition showcasing the original works of our teen students. Titled, "Next Gen", the virtual show will run from June 14 to 27. The artwork in this exhibition reflects the talent and creativity of our students from drawing and painting to illustration and digital artwork.