New art exhibitions to bring tourism into Goulburn Valley

The community hopes two new art exhibitions set to open this weekend will bring tourists to the region and boost the local economy.

Shepparton Art Museum design by Denton Corker Marshall shortlisted for the Victorian Architecture Awards MUST CREDIT - JOHN GOLLINGS

It is hoped that two new art exhibitions opening in Shepparton this week will bring tourists into the region as she continues recovering from the devastating floods.

The Dance Me to the End of Love and Elevation exhibitions are set to open at the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) on March 18 with a diverse range of artwork include ceramics, traditional paintings, sculptures, and contemporary pieces to be on display.

Elevation is a solo exhibition from artist Ash Keating who celebrates the Yorta Yorta land through his paintings of the natural climate.

Dance Me to the End of Love is an exhibition curated by Jess O’Farrell and explores the concept of life and death.

A community favourite from Sam Jink’s will be excited as part of this.

Making a comeback, the popular piece was first showcased by SAM in 2010. The piece is called Women and Child and is lifelike sculpture of an elderly woman tenderly embracing a newborn baby to reflect the beginning and end of life.

Penny Byrne, The Four Horsemen of the 21st Century Apocalypse, 2009. Shepparton Art Museum Collection, purchased, 2009.

The gallery’s chief executive Melinda Martin is excited to bring a wide selection of works, especially a homage to the Yorta Yorta land that Shepparton sits on.

“We are really hoping that we can continue to encourage people to visit SAM and make the trip from Melbourne or from other regional centres,” she said.

Destination Goulburn Valley chief executive Cheryl Hammer believes council’s focus on improving attractions in the region will be positive for tourism.

Ash Keating working on Elevation.

“The two new exhibitions at SAM opening this week will provide a boost to visitor numbers and inspire a diverse range of people to our area,” she said.

“The message that our region is open for business and prepared for more visitors is loud and clear.

“We want people to visit the region and love it so much they would consider moving here, bringing their skills and money to invest.”

The region is slowly seeing an increase in tourism and Ms Hammer wants to see the Goulburn Valley welcome more people than before the pandemic.

It is currently experiencing tourist numbers of about 80 per cent compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

Ms Martin said visitors would not only benefit the gallery, but the wider region.

“We also know bringing people into SAM means that people come into the community and they might buy lunch at a different restaurant, they might go and buy some clothes from the shop but they're actually contributing to the local economy of the community,” Ms Martin said.

Sam Jinks, Woman and Child, 2010. Shepparton Art Museum Collection, purchased with the assistance of the public and Greater Shepparton City Council, 2010.