Sauga Plein Air Competition - Visual Arts Mississauga

2026 Plein Air Competition

IT’S BACK! The Sauga Plein Air Group, in collaboration with Visual Arts Mississauga, is proud to host its 2nd Plein Air Competition at Riverwood. Artists from across Ontario who enjoy creating outdoors are invited to take part in this two-day public event on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2026.

The event will include a juried, timed 3-hour competition, with cash prizes, and an honourable mention. This is a chance for both artists and the public to engage in a creative celebration of nature and community in the heart of Mississauga.

Registration is limited to 58 participants. (Registration is now closed)

SCHEDULE

DATE: June 20, 2026 – June 21, 2026

LOCATION: Riverwood Park, Mississauga

COMPETITION: June 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Registration 9:00 AM)

AWARDS PRESENTATION: June 20 2026 | 3:00- 3:30 PM

EXHIBITION & SALE: June 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

VENUE: White Studio Gallery, Visual Arts Mississauga

APPLICATION & FEES

Regular Fee: $35+HST per artist

* VAM Members receive a $5.00 discount

Registration Opens: May 5, 2026

Applications Close: June 5 2026, at midnight, or when capacity (58 artists) is reached

APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Eligibility

We welcome ALL artists, ages 18+, from any background or level of experience.

Accepted mediums:

Oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, ink, colored pencil, charcoal, mixed media.

Surface requirement: Bring your own surface, max size 16” x 20”.

Judging Criteria

Craftsmanship

Demonstrates strong technique, control of the medium and overall presentation of the piece

Composition

A thoughtful, unified arrangement where all elements work together. Strong sense of balance, design, and visual movement.

Harmony

Effective and intentional use of colour with accuracy and vibrancy, and how effectively colours are used to create depth, mood, and overall impact

Jurors

Dalibor Dajanovic is a professional artist and full-time Art Professor at Centennial College in Toronto, Canada.
Dalibor is a classically trained artist who has worked in the animation and illustration field for the past 20 years. He has taught art workshops and has exhibited in Canada, US, Europe, Korea, China and India. He is an award winning artist who regularly competes in local and international plein air festivals.

More Info

Stuart Godfrey is a landscape and figurative painter residing in Port Credit, Ontario. After a career in illustration, he now paints full-time. His award-winning work has been exhibited in Canada and the US.

More Info

Rules & Regulations

All artwork must be started and completed outdoors at Riverwood Park on June 20, 2026.
Artists must check in before beginning and have their blank support stamped by an event volunteer.
Transparent or opaque underpainting is permitted, but no 3D textures or pre-drawn elements.
Unstamped artwork will not be accepted.
Artwork must not exceed 20” on the longest side. No diptychs.
Artists must bring all their own materials.
Participants must be registered before check-in.
Please follow all park and conservation rules.
Artists are strongly encouraged to wear their identifying stickers provided in their artist’s package while painting.

️Exhibition & Sale Info

All completed works will be displayed at Visual Arts Mississauga on June 21, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM
- Pick-Up Time for Unsold Work: Sunday, June 21 from 3:30-5:00 PM at the White Studio Gallery.
- Any work that is not picked up on Sunday, June 21nd will be considered for donation to VAM
- Visual Arts Mississauga will help coordinate delivery/shipping for sold works, but does not store unsold art.
Commission on Sales:
- $15 + HST on artworks priced at $200 and under
- $25 + HST on artworks priced over $200.

PRIZes

1st place: $250*
2nd place: $150*
3rd place: $100*
Honourable Mention: Travel Easel ($100 value)
*Artists will be paid by e-transfer the week of June 22nd.