Ah, spring. The season where we thaw out from a long, cold-ish winter and rediscover the outside world. Visual Arts Mississauga has plenty of cool, exciting and creative events for you to engage with this spring!

VAM MEMBERS SHOW & SALE OPENING RECEPTION

Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) at Riverwood is pleased to host The 2016 Members’ Show & Sale Opening Reception on Thursday, March 24 from 5 – 7 pm. The exhibit will present over 80 works of two dimensional art by VAM’s talented artist members. Juried by Living Arts Centre Curator Megan Press, join the fun as we announce the winners of first, second and third place prizes sponsored by Curry’s Artists’ Materials. VAM is located at 4170 Riverwood Park Lane. Please visit http://www.visualartsmississauga.com/exhibitions/members-show-sale/ for more details.

LIFE DRAWING THURSDAY EVENINGS AT VAM

Are you an artist who is looking to practise life drawing? VAM offers non-instructional life drawing Thursday evenings from 7 to 10 pm beginning on April 7, 2016. Artists must bring their own supplies. Easels and drawing boards are provided. Preregister online for all classes at only $15 + HST per night or drop in for price $20 (including HST). Life Drawing is for participants 18+. Visit http://www.visualartsmississauga.com/product/life-drawing-open-studio/ for more details.

SPRING COURSES AT VAM!

VAM’s Spring 2016 line-up of programs for children, teens, adults and seniors is now online. Treat yourself or your child to high-quality visual arts courses offered to beginners, intermediate and advanced artists.
NEW this spring: Adult Fundamentals – 5 week beginner or refresher courses in drawing, watercolour and acrylic painting. Courses are taught by professional artist instructors at VAM’s stunning visual arts centre. Don’t delay! Courses begin on April 3, 2016 so register today at www.visualartsmississauga.com.

ACRYLIC PAINTING WORKSHOP

Get ready for a challenge! Registration is now open for Lila Lewis Irving's Non-Objective Acrylic Painting Workshop running March 28, 2016 until April 1, 2016. This intensive, week-long workshop with iconic artist Lila Lewis Irving will lead you on a comprehensive exploration of creating expressive abstract paintings. Open to experienced acrylic painters ready for a challenge.

MARCH BREAK ART CAMP AT VAM

Hurry hurry! Spots are almost filled for VAM's March Break Art Camp! From March 14 - 18, experienced artist instructors will lead campers in a variety of fine art and craft projects. Working in art studios with small peer groups of 16 or less, campers explore drawing, painting, sculpture, multi-cultural crafts, printmaking and more. Camp cost includes all materials, movie day and pizza on Friday! Before and After Camp care also available. For more information go to www.visualartsmississauga.com or call 905-277-4313.

MY QUIRKY CLOSET – NEW FOUND TREASURE SALE

Doing a little spring cleaning? Donate your gently used accessories, clothing, shoes, books and household items to VAM for its upcoming Quirky Closet event on Saturday, April 16, 2016 in the VAM barn. The event will run from 10am to 2pm. All funds raised will benefit our VAM Camp Scholarship Fund.
Donations can be dropped off at VAM on Sunday, April 10 from 10am to 2pm. Please call 905-277-4313 for more details.

ARTSY PARTIES ARE BACK!

Throw your kids a party they'll never forget! Join our artist-instructors as they lead young artists through exciting art projects in our professional studios! Each Artsy Party includes one complementary large cheese pizza from 3 Brothers Pizza. For details, please visit http://www.visualartsmississauga.com/eventsnews/artsyparties/.

PUSH YOUR PAINTING WORKSHOP

Join our artistic adventure! Challenge your preconceptions about what constitutes painting and how it might be done. Register today for VAM's Push Your Painting Workshop hosted by Kal Honey. The workshop will run from April 4 until April 25. Through set and self-directed exercises, we'll investigate a range of artistic approaches and subjects. Each week will focus on a different artistic idea, movement, or process: Get inspired by 20th century masterworks, then be challenged to explore some of the same ideas for yourself. All levels and abilities are welcome: the only prerequisites are an open mind and an adventurous spirit. Acrylics will be used on their own and in conjunction with drawing materials. The workshop fee is $200 + HST.

MAGIC MONDAYS AT VAM

Come to Magic Mondays at VAM and start your week with coffee/tea and a delicious pastry followed by a specially planned activity. It might be art making, a guest speaker, a movie and discussion, a dance lesson. Each week will have a new activity and you will be inspired by trying something new. You will meet new people, work with different instructors, and HAVE FUN. Each session is $15 plus HST and is proudly supported by DeSerres.
SPECIAL PROMOTION: Sign up for 10 classes, get one free! Participants are automatically entered into a monthly draw for a free $25 DeSerres gift card.

Visual Arts Mississauga at Riverwood is located at 4170 Riverwood Park Lane in Mississauga. Please visit www.visualartsmississauga.com for additional details.