Say Hello to SAM: Shepparton Art Museum Launch Party - 18 Feb 2012

When: Saturday 18 February 2012

Where: SAM - 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton

Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) will reopen after eight months of a $1.98m redevelopment.

The new Art Museum will feature state of the art LED lighting, climate control and six new galleries to house its renowned collection. The reopening will be celebrated with a Launch Party on 18 February, featuring free SAM tours, live music, children's activities and much more.

2012 marks the 75th anniversary of Shepparton Art Museum, and to celebrate the occasion SAM will reopen with a long awaited exhibition of Shepparton's most celebrated painter: Sir John Longstaff. `Portrait of a Lady' has been curated by Longstaff expert Susan Gilbert and surveys the artist's extensive depictions of colonial women at the turn of the 19th century. This will be the most significant exhibition of the artist to date, as the newly installed climate control system has allowed works to be loaned from major art institutions such as the NGV International and the Art Gallery of NSW.

Also scheduled for the SAM Launch is the 2012 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award. This is the third edition of the biannual, $20,000 acquisitive award that showcases work by leading contemporary Indigenous ceramic artists from across Australia. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue and an extensive public program including artist talks, floor talks and workshops.

In addition to these temporary exhibitions, SAM will also house a new display of its permanent collection, ranging from early Australian landscape painting through to its significant collection of contemporary art, including Sam Jinks much loved sculpture Woman and Child (2010).

Acting Director, Ryan Johnston said: 'for the first time SAM's internationally renowned ceramics collection will be integrated within the context of the broader collection, allowing for a more comprehensive display of the history of Australian art in all media.'

For further details please call SAM on 03 5832 9861 or see www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au