Shepparton Art Museum

03/06/2026

Getting out of bed, slipping on a stocking, climbing into steaming bath – these are the moments the European art world of the 19th century didn’t want you to see.

‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso’ opens with the moment in European history when the inner lives of everyday women were finally finding representation in fine art, supplanting the idealised n**e goddesses and court mistresses that had long since been rendered to technical perfection by artists trained in the tired academic system.

From the late 1800s, a vanguard of artists were stirring up a creative rebellion as they set out to create works that left behind the traditional subjects of historic episodes and scenes from classical myth, choosing instead to portray people and places that connected with modern audiences and reflected the changing pace of their lives. These artists used their materials expressively, prioritising spontaneity and feeling over realism and perfection to shake free of the past and forge ahead to the future.

Experience the moment modern art changed at SAM now in ‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’ – showing exclusively in Shepparton until 20 September. Visit our website to learn more and book your tickets: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/whats-on/now-showing/facing-modernity-from-degas-to-picasso/

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Image: ‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’, installation view, Shepparton Art Museum, 2026. Photo: Leon Schoots

31/05/2026

Upcoming artist talk | Kate McKenzie Lewis on The Urbach 2026

Curious about life inside the SAM Artist Studio? Interested in applying for the Urbach Landscape Painting Prize and Studio Scholarship in 2027?

Join us on Friday 5 June at 6pm for a conversation between 2026 Urbach winner Kate McKenzie Lewis and SAM Curator - Community Caroline Esbenshade, where the pair will explore Kate’s recent experience undertaking the scholarship and the impact winning the prize has had on her practice.

This is a free event - register now at the link: https://events.humanitix.com/sam-talks-the-urbach-2026-with-kate-lewis/tickets

Event details:
Date + time: Friday 5 June, 6pm-7pm
Location: Level 4, Shepparton Art Museum, 530 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
Free - registrations essential

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Photo: Shepparton Art Museum

28/05/2026

New hours have just hit: SAM is now open on Tuesdays, and late on Fridays!

SAM will now be open daily from 10am-4pm, with extended hours every Friday until 7pm — perfect for an after-work treat or an atmospheric date night. Plan your visit now and book your tickets to ‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso’ via our website: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/whats-on/now-showing/facing-modernity-from-degas-to-picasso/

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‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’, installation view, Shepparton Art Museum, 2026. All images by Leon Schoots

27/05/2026

This weekend we finally welcomed visitors in to experience 'Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso', and what a warm reception it received!

We watched kids and adults alike encounter their first-ever Picasso painting, brought the past to life with our travelling art case full of artefacts and curios, and put all that creative inspiration to good use in the workshop with our Petit Picasso Studio session and face painting from . We also heard a wonderful talk from Dr. Sophie Matthiesson, 's senior curator of International Art, who brought us along the journey of the exhibition, from the luxurious former home of philanthropists Josie and Julian Robertson's private collection to Auckland, and its arrival in Shepparton for its historic Australian debut.

Before the celebrations even kicked off, some of the early birds of the team on Parkrun, and we saw community spirit in action as enthusiastic runners also donned Degas-inspired tutus to join the festivities.

Our thanks go out to our wonderful community who came out and showed their support for the exhibition on its first day - it's our privilege to see the generations come together and connect through culture.

'Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki' is now showing at SAM until 20 September - get your tickets and plan your visit now at the link: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/whats-on/now-showing/facing-modernity-from-degas-to-picasso/

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Images: Shepparton Art Museum

25/05/2026

Last Friday, we were delighted to welcome guests to SAM to celebrate the opening of our winter blockbuster ‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki⁠’.
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It was a special evening heavy with pride and emotion. The significance of such an exhibition, filled with masterpieces of modern art by the some of the most influential artists in history, being presented in Shepparton as an Australian exclusive was felt by everyone in attendance.
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We extend our thanks to our speakers, Mayor Cr. Shane Sali, Dr. Sophie Matthiesson (Senior curator, international art at ), event emcee Matt Dowling, to Nick Lester and his band for serenading us with a stunning live jazz performance, the crew at for their amazing spread, the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki team, the SAM team, and to everyone who joined us on this Autumn evening for a few hours of art, conversation, and community to celebrate an incredible moment in local history when not one, but two, Picasso paintings made their national debut in our town.
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Book your tickets now to experience Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso via our link in bio - showing at SAM until 20 September.⁠
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Photos by

22/05/2026

Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is now open at SAM!

Discover 37 masterpieces of modern art from the likes of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Barbara Hepworth and more that invite you on a journey through the major art movements of the modern era, from Impressionism and Post-Impressionism to Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and post-war abstraction.

Step back to the turn of the 20th century and experience the presence of artists who shattered conventions and redefined art for the modern era - on now until 20 September. Learn more and pre-book your tickets at our link in bio.

Throughout the exhibition, we’ll be open seven days a week from 10am-4pm, with extended hours to 7pm every Friday.

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Image: ‘Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’, installation view, Shepparton Art Museum, 2026. Photo by

21/05/2026

Opening weekend celebrations: Talks, art activities & free workshops | Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso

Join us on Saturday 23 May for a day of celebration as we officially unveil 'Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki'.

For kids and families - take full advantage of free exhibition entry for kids under 12 and enjoy some hands-on crafting with our first Petit Picasso Studio drop-in sessions from 10am to 12pm, plus face painting for the little ones by Dazzle & Weave!

If you want to discover more about how this incredible body of modern art found its way from New York's Central Park to Shepparton, Victoria, join us for an illuminating curatorial talk with Dr. Sophie Matthiesson, Senior Curator of International Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, at 1.30pm (bookings required).

Learn more and plan your weekend at the link: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/whats-on/upcoming/facing-modernity-from-degas-to-picasso/facing-modernity-programs-and-events/
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Image 1 photo by Shepparton Art Museum; image 2: 'Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki' featuring installation view of Henri Matisse, 'Buste Espagnole', 1922, Shepparton Art Museum, 2026. Photo: Leon Schoots

20/05/2026

18/05/2026

18/05/2026

guys we're literally installmaxxing right now.

'Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki' opens this Saturday 23 May at SAM - book your tickets online now or in person at the SAM Shop: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/whats-on/upcoming/facing-modernity-from-degas-to-picasso/