From depicting the daily ritual of father-son conversations to an emotive portrait of a beloved grandparent, the winners of Shepparton Art Museum’s Young Archie Shepparton highlight the abundant creativity and keen observational talent that lives within the next generation of Greater Shepparton.

On the evening of Wednesday 14 October, the artists of Young Archie Shepparton gathered with their families at SAM to celebrate their exhibition and to discover who among them had been selected as winners of the Primary and Secondary School prize categories, and who had been voted as the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

In the Primary School category, eight-year-old Xavier Viney and ten-year-old Milo Rose were selected for their respective portraits Morning Chats with Dad and My pa, the flower farmer. In their artist statements, Xavier described his portrait as portraying his ‘favourite part of the day’, when he and his father enjoy a conversation over breakfast ahead of their day, while Milo explains the special connection he shares with his grandfather and their bond over beekeeping and tending to their chickens as the reason behind his choice of subject.

In the Secondary School category, fourteen-year-old Abbie Higgins and seventeen-year-old Alicia Kazayi were selected for their respective portraits Pop and Colour Blind. Created in clay on paper, Abbie’s portrait is a stirring, textured ode to her great-grandfather, with the artwork attempting to capture the way in which his lifetime of experiences is written in his expressions and weathered skin. In contrast to the earthy tones of Abbie’s portrait, Alicia’s drawing of a family friend uses vibrant colour to portray a close friend who has become a brotherly figure to her, whose youthful energy and curiosity she finds infectious.

Twelve-year-old Armaan Singh was announced as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for his portrait of his mother entitled My hero, my mum (pictured, left). Armaan’s entry, which features an intricate paper collage depicting his mother smiling, attracted hundreds of votes from visitors to the exhibition over September and October.

Gabriella Calandro, Head of Engagement at Shepparton Art Museum, says of the event:

“We were thrilled to welcome many of the artists of the Young Archie Shepparton and their families to SAM to celebrate their contributions to this exhibition. The portraits, and the stories that accompany them, have brought us and our visitors so much joy over the past few weeks, and it’s always a privilege to offer local young creatives opportunities to share their talent with the community. Everyone who created an artwork for this exhibition should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved, and we extend our congratulations to the winners who were announced in each category.”

Winners were awarded prize packs from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which included art activities, craft materials, and books.

Young Archie Shepparton is now showing at Shepparton Art Museum until 1 November 2026 with free entry.

Young Archie Shepparton award winners

People’s Choice Award winner: Armaan Singh, My Hero, My Mum

Primary school category winners: 

• Xavier Viney, Morning Chats with Dad
• Milo Rose, My Pa, the flower farmer

Secondary school category winners:

• Abbie Higgins, Pop
• Alicia Kazayi, Colour Blind

ENDS

About SAM:

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is located on Yorta Yorta Country, Shepparton, Victoria.

Serving as a dynamic cultural and community hub for the Greater Shepparton region, SAM is one of Australia’s leading regional art museums and the newest purpose-built collecting institution in regional Victoria. SAM houses one of the nation’s most significant collections of Australian ceramics and regional holdings of South Eastern Indigenous Art, and presents an inclusive museum experience that inspires creativity, forges meaningful connections, and celebrates the unique stories of our region.

Through its programs, events, collection, and temporary exhibitions, SAM creates opportunities for artists and creatives to engage audiences with contemporary ideas and issues, allowing the stories of our country’s ancient cultures and contemporary multicultural Australia to be discovered and exchanged.

Media enquiries, please contact Mikela Guseli, SAM Communications Coordinator.

p: (03) 4804 5009 e: mguseli@sheppartonartmuseum.com.au