Shepparton Art Museum artistic director Danny Lacy praised the work of the SAM team at the opening of ticket sales.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Art lovers in Shepparton will be treated to two special exhibitions at the Shepparton Art Museum that will feature world famous artists and the beloved Archibald Prize.
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Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso will run from May 23 to September 20 in the Lin Onus Gallery on level one of SAM.
The exhibition will explore the art movements of the modern era from Impressionism to Surrealism, with 37 works from artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Barbara Hepworth.
From September 5 to November 1, the Archibald Prize 2026 will make its only stop outside NSW on level two of SAM.
The annual prize celebrates portraits painted by Australian artists of people ranging from public figures to local heroes.
SAM artistic director Danny Lacy said “it’s an important year for SAM and this will put Shepparton on the map”.
Mr Lacy said that hosting these exhibitions was a big undertaking for a still-new venue and when the team was worried about taking on two big projects back to back, he said “we’ve just got to do it, we’re backing our team”.
Greater Shepparton City Council has partnered with SAM and will support tourism to the region during the exhibitions with the Eat, Play, Stay & Shop guide, which will encourage visitors to travel beyond the museum and see everything that Shepparton has to offer.
Featured experiences include limited edition gelato flavours from Apple Republic, a Sgraffito tile workshop from Roughy Corner and a Picasso-inspired coffee release from Evolve North.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali has encouraged tourists to spend time in the region.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali acknowledged the work the SAM staff had put into the exhibitions.
“This is a really special time for Shepparton Art Museum,” he said.
SPC Factory Sales owner Andrew Prentice spoke as one of SAM’s major partners, praising the efforts to bring more visitors to the region, and recognised what Shepparton had to offer.
“Our strength is our diverse and multicultural community, and we’ve always punched above our weight,” he said.
SPC Factory Sales owner Andrew Prentice speaks at the opening of ticket sales.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso and the Archibald Prize 2026 will overlap from September 5 to 20, with a double-pass ticket available for purchase.
During the exhibitions, SAM will be open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, extended to 7pm on Fridays to attract workers.
During the overlap period, SAM will be open until 6pm daily.
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