Create and connect with artists at SAM on 5 April

SAM Presents: Field Drawing with Kerrie Poliness

Saturday 5 April, 10am-11am + 11 am-12pm

Make your mark with SAM Art Wall feature artist Kerrie Poliness in this participatory large-scale line drawing session that will flow down the lawn of SAM’s Orchard Hill.

Together, Poliness and participants will map out a line drawing in the artist’s signature abstract, geometric style that expands on her new Art Wall installation.

Event details:

Date + time: Saturday 5 April | Session one: 10am-11am; Session two: 11am-12pm

Location: SAM Amphitheatre (lake side of SAM building), 530 Wyndham Street, Shepparton

Price: Free – registrations encouraged

Register now

SAM Art Market

Saturday 5 April, 10am-2pm

Support the local creative scene at this small but mighty craft market, with artist-run stalls showcasing the diverse wares and practices of regional makers. From ceramics to handcrafted jewellery and textiles, find your next centrepiece or thoughtful gift at the SAM Art Market.

Event details:

Date + time: Saturday 5 April, 10am-2pm

Location: Lake side of SAM building, 530 Wyndham Street, Shepparton

Free entry

Discover the artists of the SAM Art Market:

Local ceramicist Megan Walker has been making pots for approximately 15 years, crafting in her  home studio with a wheel and an electric kiln. Creating her own glazes from raw materials, Walker frequents the region's farmers markets with her wares, and has exhibited works in the annual SAM Open exhibition over many years.

Growing up on a farm in country Victoria, Natalie Ryan’s love of drawing and painting plants and nature began at an early age. Following a BA in Textile Design at RMIT, Melbourne, Natalie worked in textile design studios in Sydney, London and Melbourne, designing printed and woven fabrics for bed linen and soft furnishings for both children and adults.

A few years ago she studied botanical painting at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, and it was there that the seed to create her own range of textile designs and homewares featuring watercolour depictions of Australia's unique flora and fauna was sown, and thus began Meander Designs.

Melinda Solomon is an Aboriginal woman of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji and Girramay first people's of Far North Queensland, and has recently started her art business Baljil Art. As a visual artist Melinda passionately creates across a range of mediums, drawing inspiration from family stories, and her love for the Australian landscape of rainforests, bush lands, oceans, rivers, and the native animals that inhabit these areas. These are depicted in traditional and cultural symbols together with intricate contemporary designs that result in beautiful colourful artworks.

With a passion for crafting beautiful accessories, Anna specialises in handmade beaded keyrings, car diffusers, and lanyards. Each piece is meticulously crafted with love, reflecting her dedication to quality and artistry. Anna's unique designs not only serve a functional purpose but also add a touch of charm and personality to everyday items. Discover the joy of accessorising with made by anna louise!

Created by woodwork artisan and craftsman Ron Miliado, Rustic Timber Creations specialises in functional and decorative wood art, informed by Ron's 30 years of experience in the craft. With most objects crafted from Australian Mahogany, Ron's high-quality wood creations make for eye-catching serving boards, Lazy Susans, or decorative wares for the home. Ron frequents regional markets, and is currently exhibiting in the Cultural Diversity Art Exhibition for Shepparton City Council. Ron has participated in past exhibitions at Shepparton Art Museum, GV Woodworkers Show, Seymour Expo.

Aunt Addie’s is run by Kat and Jen, two creative sisters with Fine Arts degrees in printmaking and silversmithing respectively. Their range of products reflect their specialisations, with Kat creating  nature-inspired prints using a range of techniques, along with unique earrings, brooches, and cards that feature her colourful illustrations. Jen creates intricate chainmaille earrings and bracelets, using sterling silver, anodised aluminium, and Swarovski crystals. She also makes hand-bound books, which are perfect for journaling and sketching.

Miki Mackenzie (they/them) of mikimac.stitches is a non-binary artist who works with a variety of mediums, most commonly hand embroidery and painting. They create playgrounds of thread, beading, glue, sequins, and other found and repurposed materials. Miki finds great joy in the process of creation and watching the individual elements of their work build up in order to create the big picture. Miki’s work is fun, bright, and draws endless inspiration from their surroundings.

Judith has been active in the Shepparton textile art scene for over fifteen years. A self-taught artist, she expands her artistic repertoire through reading, experimenting, and attending workshops. She currently runs Tactile Textiles, a twice-monthly group, from her home studio. Judith has sold her work at markets in Violet Town, Shepparton, and Wangaratta. She has presented numerous artist talks, demonstrations, and workshops in regional Victoria. A keen supporter of the arts, Judith also volunteers at Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) and regularly attends exhibitions, openings, artist and curatorial talks.

Greg Beckenham is a true Goulburn Valley native, his roots firmly planted in the region. He has honed a vibrant painting practice that ranges from portraiture to plein air,  sculpting layers of paint on canvas with a palette knife to create works that are lively, figurative, and richly textured. Greg has found his passion for the arts flourishing through his connection with Shepparton Art Museum. In his own words, "Art used to be a side thing, now it's the thing!"