VIVID is an annual celebration of the thriving arts and culture scene in Bawaating Sault Ste. Marie, ON. The festival brings together local and global talent to create and develop accessible, sustainable, multi-disciplinary public art, culture, and heritage. By fostering cross-cultural relationships and enhancing community pride, VIVID strengthens the region’s tourism, economy, and arts sector while creating a welcoming environment for all. VIVID Art Fest is intended to promote and foster a sense of pride, place, ownership, and inclusion in the community for everyone.
Music
Fefe Dobson is a multi-platinum Canadian pop/rock artist who first made her mark in the early 2000s with her edgy sound and powerful voice. Her self-titled debut album produced several Top 10 singles and helped establish her as one of the standout artists of her generation. She went on to achieve further success with hits including “Ghost,” “Stuttering” and “Can’t Breathe,” while also writing songs for artists such as Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Jordin Sparks. Known for blending rock influences with pop melodies, Fefe has continued to evolve her sound throughout her nearly two-decade career. Her latest album, Emotion Sickness, brings together the energy and attitude that made her a lasting name in Canadian pop and rock.
Murals
This year, VIVID is honoured to welcome muralist DRIFT.
DRIFT embodies gradual, meaningful change—using the power of public art to celebrate the unique identities of communities around the world. Co-founding members Anaϊs Labrèque and Dominic Laporte continually strive to use public art projects as a tool to build a more accessible and prosperous future. Together, driven by their shared passion for community-based, accessible art, they implement a variety of mural projects in communities worldwide, celebrating each one’s unique identity through the power of public art.
These large-scale murals become permanent additions to the City’s public art collection, adding to the City’s evolving downtown landscape.
Event Lineup
This three-day festival brings the heart of the City to life with a vibrant lineup of live performances, interactive workshops, exhibits, markets, film screenings, and public art installations.
September 17
September 18
VIVID Artfest Concert at Roberta Bondar Pavilion
September 18, 2026
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Silent Nin9
Goodnight Sunrise
Fefe Dobson