VAM Noir - Visual Arts Mississauga

Become a Judge

Join us for VAM Noir, a high-energy live painting competition and fundraiser featuring 22 incredible artists creating original works before your eyes in one night!

What to expect:

Live DJ to set the vibe
Real-time painting by emerging and established artists
Sweet treats to keep you fuelled
Prizes and giveaways throughout the night
A vibrant community atmosphere celebrating creativity and culture

You’ll even get to vote for your favourite artist: The top 3 will hit the stage for a short artist spotlight!

Your ticket includes:

Entry to the full event
1 non-alcoholic refreshment
1 Raffle Ticket
Access to view, vote, and potentially purchase original art

pURCHASE yOUR tiCKETS now!

Live Painting Competition
- Applications Open

VAM is looking for 22 bold, fast, and fearless artists to compete in VAM Noir, our electrifying live, 2-hour painting competition and fundraiser. Think you’ve got what it takes?

To apply, submit 1 image of an original artwork completed in under 3 hours that represents your style and medium. Competition artists will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll join fellow artists for an adrenaline-pumping live painting showdown.

VAM will provide 30 themed prompts — you choose one to inspire your piece.

A maximum of 22 artists will be registered to compete in the event.

Completed works will be on public exhibition and sale during the weekend of Oct. 31-Nov 1.

Unsold artwork must picked up by the artist or a representative on either: Sunday, Nov. 1 between 3-4pm or Monday, Nov. 2 between 9am-9pm.

Fee to apply: $35

Compete at Vam Noir

SCHEDULE

DATE: October 30th, 2025

TIME: 6:45pm – 9:30pm *Artist entry at 6:30pm

LOCATION: 4170 Riverwood Park Ln, Mississauga

VENUE: Visual Arts Mississauga

APPLICATION & FEES

Regular Fee: $30+HST per artist — Apply by Oct 3, 2025

Selected Applicants Notified: Oct. 14th, 2025

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”.

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

Rules & Regulations

Competing artists will pre-select one of 30 VAM-supplied prompts to work on. Artists can pre-plan, resource, and bring reference materials to the event, but their surfaces must be blank at check-in.
Bring your own medium, brushes, palettes: Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil, Pastel permitted. There is no colour scheme limit.
Bring one blank surface: Canvas board/stretched/panel or paper up to 36″ on one side – please label on the back with your name.
Artists check in opens at 5:30pm, allowing up to 1.5 hour to pre-sketch ore pre-tone their canvas at VAM and set up their stations before the competition kicks off at 7:00pm
Each artist will have a pre-assigned numbered station, equipped with easel and half a 6′ table or 4′ table as their palette/material station
Artists cannot switch spots with other competitors or move their easels to any other location.
Artists may choose to wear headphones or ear plugs or talk to bystanders during the competition, and may take breaks as needed.
The actual live art competition takes place from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
If artists finish early, they can leave their artwork labelled and depart from their stations to join the party.
This event has a live voting component – open from 8:45pm-9:00pm and spectators can cast as many votes as they would like during that time.
After 9:00pm: the top 3 finalists will be announced and pulled on stage for a short introduction. Afterwards, the prize announcements will be awarded. Followed by raffle prize announcements.
Doors close at 10pm.
Artists will have 15 minutes post-event to wash your brushes and clean up. Stations must be clean before you leave.

️Exhibition & Sale Info

Artists will be able to choose if their work will be labelled for sale:
- If your work is purchased:
  - Buyers can take it home or pick it up from VAM the next day Fri. Oct. 31 (9am-4:30pm) or Sat. Nov. 1 (10am-4:00pm)
- If your work is not purchased or NFS:
  - Artists are required to bring it home or pick it up from VAM the next day Fri. Oct. 31 (9am-4:30pm) or Sat. Nov. 1 (10am-4:00pm)
- All work must be picked up by EOD Saturday Nov 1 as indicated above.
The party will conclude with networking and browsing artwork for sale. Buyers can cash out at the cashier table.

Commission on Sales:

Artists will be able to sell their artwork: