6 Fun Facts about Visual Arts Mississauga

Fun Fact #1:  VAM is one of Mississauga’s busiest art galleries and creative centres is nestled among the trees in the heart of Riverwood
Over 450 artist members call Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) their creative home.  VAM’s stunning centre is surrounded by Riverwood, 150 acres of urban wilderness located off Burnhamthorpe Road West at the Credit River. It’s a thriving creative hub, offering a myriad of fine arts courses to over 2,000 children, teens and adults annually and open to the public from September to June and all are welcome to explore the centre.

Fun Fact #2: VAM was Mississauga’s original arts organization
Before the creation of the Mississauga Arts Council, VAM was established in 1977 by a group of passionate local artists. VAM first held its meetings at Huron Park Recreation Centre before moving to the Springbank Visual Arts Centre (now part of the University of Toronto at Mississauga). The centre provided the first public space for Mississauga’s arts community to gather. In May 2019, VAM celebrates its 41st anniversary.

Fun Fact #3:  Experience over 30 public exhibitions annually in The VAM Gallery  
VAM’s resident Exhibitions and Events Coordinator Eldiana Begovic skillfully curates a variety of public exhibitions including their annual Members’ Show & Sale, six Member Theme Shows and two Instructor shows. In addition to Eldiana’s exhibitions, VAM showcases a variety of public exhibitions by artists who rent the gallery space and a phenomenal Children’s and Teen’s Spring Show in June. 
Frequently visit visualartsmississauga.com for full listings.

Fun Fact #4:  VAM hosts two of the most popular art camps in the City of Mississauga
VAM’s Kids Summer Art Camp and March Break Art Camp sell out annually and each year, they welcome up to 900 campers, who explore a variety of artistic mediums including drawing, clay-making, painting and more.
They’re currently accepting registration for the 2019 Kids’ Summer Art Camp.

Fun Fact #5: Celebrate your birthday and or special event at VAM
You can enjoy a unique experience with an “Artsy Birthday Party” with your family and friends at VAM. Participants of any age can enjoy an art-making activity guided by their professional Artist Instructors and leave with a finished project. You bring a cake along and they’ll provide complementary loot bags! 

Fun Fact #6: Do some of your best one-of-a-kind shopping at VAM
Experience Mississauga’s largest outdoor art festival, Art in the Park in September and the indoor VAM Holiday Artisan Marketplace in November. These events showcase the work of over 60 artists and are an incredible opportunity to support local artists via one-of-a-kind handmade items including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, fine art and more! This year, Art in the Park takes place on September 15.