SAM Open 2025

5 July - 2 November 2025

Showcasing the work of local artists aged 16 years and over, SAM Open welcomes submissions from individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels. This year’s show has no set theme; instead, artists have been invited to share an artwork that reflects the central focus of their practice or recent creative obsessions.  

Even without a unifying theme, common threads emerge from the diverse submissions. Textile-based works are especially prevalent, as are representations of nature—always a fixture in our Open exhibitions. This year, nature scenes and genre paintings take on a more fantastical tone, depicting otherworldly landscapes and mystical motifs. Alongside depictions of vehicles, these works suggest a shared longing by our community’s creatives for adventure and an escape from the everyday.  

SAM Open 2025 invites audiences into the creative lives of our local artists, offering a window into their inspirations and perspectives. Displayed together, these works reflect the rich variety of experiences and interests that shape our community.  

Presented annually in the Hugh D.T. Williamson Community Gallery, SAM Open celebrates and showcases the creativity of the artistic community across the Goulburn Valley and Hume Regions. The exhibition raises awareness of local practitioners and presents their work in dialogue with exhibitions by nationally recognised Australian artists. 

SAM Open 2024 artists:

Meredith Arnold, Robyn Barrow, Mya Bathman, Fasiha Batool, Robbie Bechaz, Greg Beckenham, William Boyer, Eleanor Bridge, Lauren Bull, Valerie Callister, Margaret Carey, Alan Cartlidge, Valerie Clements, Kim D’Arma, Letizia D’Augello, Jan Donaldson, Annie Ernst, Lilly Fidock, Michael Flatt, Jeanette Fry, Wenda Grant, Barbara Gray, Tony Guseli, Kerry Handwerk, Dianne Hanna, Christine Hartley, Annabelle Hayes, Samantha J Heriz, Raymond Hill, Amanda Hocking, Lily Hocking, Belinda Hook, Kirsten Ives, Lois Krake, Janice Laidlaw, Marion Langford, Jodi Lewis, Lucy Ludlow, Peta Manning, Creagh Manning, Elizabeth Masters, Dianne McPherson, Ashleigh Molisak, Dianne Nally, Kat Parker, Joy (Roxy) Parnell, lyn patone, Maria Radanov, Jill Riordan, Makenzie Rivers, Judith Roberts, Carmel Robertson, Lucia Rossi, Angie Russi, Garry Salau, Lehansa Samaranayake, SeraEla, Judy Simm, Lucy Smyth, Gabriella Vittorio, Megan Walker, Janine Wilson, Jenny Wilson, Vicki Woodhouse, Ruby Wyatt-Carter and Jenny Younger.

Featured artwork: Janine Wilson, Flamingo (detail), 2025. © the artist. 

Location: Hugh D.T. Williamson Community Gallery, Level 2, SAM

Curator: Caroline Esbenshade, SAM Curator - Community