The next generation of local artists are getting their time to shine in Shepparton Art Museum’s annual VCE Art exhibition Fresh: GV Top Art and Design.
The exhibition opened last Saturday, February 18, in SAM’s Hugh D.T. Williamson Community Gallery, with an official opening celebration scheduled for Thursday, March 30 at the museum’s monthly SAM at Sunset event.
Fresh: GV Top Art and Design features artworks and design presentations from VCE Art, Studio Art and Visual Communication Design students from the Class of 2022.
Responding to an open callout, 20 students from across the Goulburn Valley submitted their final folios for inclusion in the exhibition, addressing a variety of themes related to cultural and social issues, including environmentalism and the continuing impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The young artists articulate their ideas and concepts through diverse mediums, including photography, painting, wood burning and recycled materials.
SAM curator for community Caroline Esbenshade said the annual showcase of students’ talent and creativity was an event the museum looked forward to displaying each year.
“It’s wonderful to see these burgeoning artists’ works here on the walls at SAM, and it’s an exciting step for any artist to have their work exhibited in a museum environment, even more so if it’s your first experience showing your work publicly,” she said.
Ms Esbenshade said she encouraged both students and visitors to see the Class of 2022’s work before the exhibition concluded on Sunday, April 23.
“I hope that any current VCE students who visit the show are inspired to participate next year, and that all visitors take a moment to think about how many artists who are displayed throughout the rest of the building might have gotten their own start participating in a similar program,” she said.
“It’s a reminder to us all that we all start somewhere, and of the importance of having quality art education available in schools.”
Further details on Fresh: GV Top Art and Design’s official exhibition launch in March at the SAM at Sunset event will be announced soon.