Join us as we celebrate the talented local artists of Fresh 2024 in the SAM Community Gallery and announce the winners of the Fresh 2024 Artist Prize and the People’s Choice Award. The celebration event will commence with a short introduction to SAM's exhibitions from SAM CEO Melinda Martin, SAM Head of Curatorial Programming and Collections Danny Lacy, and SAM Curator – Community Caroline Esbenshade, followed by the award presentations and afternoon tea on Level 4 of SAM.

Event schedule

2.00pm: Introduction to SAM exhibitions with Melinda Martin, Danny Lacy & Caroline Esbenshade

2.30pm: Award presentations & afternoon tea on Level 4

3.00-3.30pm - Formalities end, guests free to visit SAM exhibitions

About the exhibition

SAM Fresh is our annual open-call youth arts exhibition that celebrates our region’s emerging young creatives. Featuring the artworks of twenty artists aged 16-25 living, working and studying across the Goulburn Valley and Hume regions, the artists of Fresh 2024 navigate themes of identity, personal relationships, and the natural world, presenting a perspective of our region and modern society as seen by the next generation.

Through the generous support of La Trobe University, a cash prize of $1,500 will be awarded to the Fresh 2024 artist whose entry displays high artistic merit, demonstrated by their creativity, technical proficiency, and overall aesthetic quality. Additionally, visitors can vote for their preferred Fresh 2024 artwork in the People’s Choice Award over the course of the exhibition, the winner of which will receive a cash prize of $500.

Featured image: SAM Fresh 2024, installation view, Shepparton Art Museum, 2024. Photo: Leon Schoots