Community members of all ages, dressed in national costume, sang a joyous song to welcome visitors.
SAM occupies four of five levels in an imposing new building designed by internationally renowned architects Denton Corker Marshall.
A car load of us went to SAM recently and were enraptured with all we saw.
The large charcoal cube has come alive. It sits perfectly on its green grassy mound beside Victoria Park Lake, which has been carefully landscaped to complement, not clash, with the building.
There are three entrances at ground level. One through the Visitors’ Centre, another via Kaiela Art Gallery and Studio, and the main entrance on Wyndham St.
The House of Discards sculpture by artist Tony Albert sits on the forecourt adjacent to the museum’s main entrance. The stacked cards in shades of black and white depict a metaphor that makes it the perfect choice for its location.
Steps from the lakeside take you to the SAM Café terrace on the first level.
We entered through the Visitors’ Centre where we were warmly greeted.
It is not a jumble of brochures, but has everything we requested including directions to the Australian Botanic Gardens, built on the old Kialla tip site, and the recently refurbished Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) at Emerald Bank, Kialla.
Shepparton's iconic cow sculptures look right at home. Look for the four 'Touring Suggestions in Greater Shepparton' brochures and little Walking Guide, they are excellent.
From the moment we entered the SAM foyer and chose to climb the big wide steps to the first level, we were blown away with the art that captures nature inside with views from the large glass windows that showcase the landscape outside.
In the tall atrium facing Wyndham St there is a colourful and complex mobile. It looks to be made of perspex and brightens the whole area. It is modern, fun and beautiful, just like the exhibition of Ian Wong's Everyday Australian Design Collection that is arranged by colour.
As we entered the Flow Exhibition on Level 1, we had to be mindful of the school of swimming stingrays. A group of stingrays is a ‘fever’, and they swim in 'schools'.
There are works by more than 60 First Nations artists including some recently acquired from the Carrillo and Ziyin Gantner Collection.
The 123 landscape paintings of Central Australia from the Hermannsburg School are displayed in a mass on one wall.
They are arranged by geographic region and include nine by Albert Namatjira's family members.
We loved the ceramic work Under the Dump Garden by Glenn Barkley. It is the first time it has been exhibited and is made of 2000 unnumbered pieces that a SAM staff member took two weeks to assemble.
When it is reassembled in another gallery it will look different. The artist's brief is only that all the pieces fit a certain diameter.
Beside it is a children's board prompting what to look for, and consider, about the work. These are found throughout the gallery.
On Level 2 we loved the variety of works by Yorta Yorta artist Lin Onus. He has depicted his people and his country around Shepparton.
There are two large paintings I would commission a house around; they are fabulous. If you have time, watch the video about his life and influences. I recommend it.
Do not miss the dance installation video by Amtita Hepi in the children’s gallery. She portrays the art of movement, human and otherwise. It is fun and clever.
Time flew; we were ready for a late lunch and had still not seen everything. I have not even mentioned the wonderful pots.
Every volunteer and worker was enthusiastic about their SAM. We will make another day trip very soon.
— Suzie Pearce
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