THE much-anticipated opening of the Shepparton Art Museum is this weekend, with doors opening to the public on Saturday, November 20.
SAM, as the museum is affectionately known, is one of Australia’s leading art museums. its’ newest, purpose-built building spans five floors and promises to launch a suite of new exhibitions and major artist commissions by emerging and established artists.
The new SAM building is an outstanding example of contemporary museum architecture. Designed by award-winning Melbourne architects, Denton Corker Marshall, SAM features lake views, a café, event space and a roof top viewing deck, amongst multiple exhibition spaces.
The on-site SAM café, led by Thomas Jang, opened on Monday, serving sustainably driven, locally produced, Japanese-inspired cuisine, against the stunning backdrop of Shepparton’s Victoria Lake.
Something that should be of great interest to the community is SAM’s community art space. When organisers behind SAM began to reimage the project through a COVID-normal lens, they thought of those working from home, of the children being homeschooled and the parents who had suddenly been thrust into the teaching role, as well as overwhelming feelings of isolation experienced by many.
This led to the development of a children’s art space that provides sensory delights for kids and big kids at heart, and the community art space, which is a purposeful area where anyone in the community can apply to show their art. Join SAM for the opening this weekend in person or online via SAM’s Facebook page. Due to COVID restrictions, bookings are essential, and entry is ticketed and timed due to popular demand. Throughout the year, SAM will be open seven days a week, 10am until 4pm every day, including public holidays.
For more information, head to www.sheppartonartmuseum.com or call 5832 9861.
OFF TO A FLYING ART… CEO of Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) and artistic director, Dr Rebecca Coates and curator, Jessica O’Farrell pictured in the all new community art space. INSET: Mariola Nebiu and Ramiro Carbonell from SAM cafe. Photos: Kelly Lucas. 
