SAM Talks

In this episode of In the Studio , SAM’s Communications Officer Mikela Guseli visits ceramic artist Prue Venables in her Castlemaine studio. Known for her refined porcelain forms, Venables reflects on a practice shaped by discipline, repetition, and a deep sensitivity to materials. Originally trained in science and music, Venables speaks about the moment she encountered clay, and how its tactile,...

What does it mean to create a memorial for animals we no longer share the world with? This episode of SAM Talks was recorded live at Shepparton Art Museum during Lament — A memorial of Australian extinction by emerging artist Kat Parker , SAM’s 2025 Spotlight Artist. In conversation with SAM Curator Caroline Esbenshade , Parker discusses her printmaking practice, her use of linocut and paper, and...

What does it mean to paint the landscape — not as a view, but as a living, breathing network of care? In this episode, SAM Curator Caroline Esbenshade sits down with artist Anthea Kemp , recipient of the 2025 Theodore Urbach Landscape Painting Scholarship , to reflect on her time in Shepparton. From volunteering at the Euroa Arboretum and the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seed Bank to transforming fi...

What does it mean to preserve the past — and prepare it for the future? In this episode, SAM Exhibitions Manager Nick Baylart sits down with conservator Robyn Ho , founder of c/o Studios , to unpack the art and science of conservation. From repairing holes in century-old canvases to restoring intent, meaning, and cultural significance, Robyn shares her journey from architecture to art conservation...

In this episode, artist Locust Jones joins SAM Artistic Director Danny Lacy for a thoughtful conversation about The Bird Agents — a monumental drawing made in response to the chaos of global politics and media. Together, they explore Jones’s evolving creative practice, how sound and news cycles fuel his work, and why drawing remains his most immediate way of processing a world in constant motion....

In this episode, join us for an insightful conversation between this year’s SAM Selects exhibitor, Dore Stockhausen , and SAM Curator, Caroline Esbenshade . Together, they explore Stockhausen’s formative years, her artistic evolution, and the creative inspirations that have shaped her journey. Delve into the compelling themes and stories behind her current exhibition, echoes of a new eden , now on...

In October 2024, multi-disciplinary artist Brendan Huntley joined SAM Communications Officer Mikela Guseli for a conversation exploring Huntley's diverse creative practice. Known best for his clay and painting practice, the conversation spans from Huntley's early DIY art exhibitions with his parents to fronting Melbourne-based punk band Eddy Suppression Ring, and how the act of creating...

Late last year, our 2024 Theodore Urbach Landscape Prize and Studio Scholarship recipient Ellen Lee joined SAM Curator Caroline Esbenshade to discuss Lee's three-month experience at SAM and the growth she experienced in her creative practice both during and since her time in the SAM Artist Studio. In addition to discussing Lee’s experience, Caroline Esbenshade introduces the Urbach 2025 progr...

In July 2024, artist Stewart Russell joined SAM Digital Content Coordinator Kati Hogarth for a conversation exploring the creation of his new installation Peter, Tommie, & John / reliving the dream.  Stewart Russell’s large-scale textile installation Peter, Tommie & John / reliving the dream explores one of the most influential political actions of the 20th century through the eyes of Aust...

In April 2024, SAM Selects artist Jen Valender joined SAM Curator - Community Caroline Esbenshade for a fascinating live conversation exploring the creation of her exhibition Field . Created during Valender’s time on the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Agricultural Campus for her CoVA Art + Ecology residency, the body of moving image works explore the relationship between art and the natural worl...

SAM Curator Jessica O'Farrell sits down with multidisciplinary artist Jason Phu to discuss his recent Art Wall commission for SAM, Some of the things that have come and gone with the waters . The pair dive into Phu's creative practice, the research he undertook for his site-responsive work, and the process of depicting a landscape following the devastation of recent flooding. Stay in tou...

Australian Melting Pot (2018) examines the complexity of living between multiple cultures in Australia. Join artist Moorina Bonini and SAM Curator Belinda Briggs as they discuss the artwork and the multifaceted perspectives that contribute to the construction of Australian identity. Stay in touch with SAM on socials: Instagram / www.instagram.com/sam_shepparton Facebook / www.facebook.com/sheppart...

Join Yorta Yorta artist Troy Firebrace and SAM Curator Belinda Briggs as they discuss the dual contexts of Troy's Drawing Wall installation, Induction . Troy uses layers of meaning within his work, encouraging his audience to look again. At a first glance, we might recognise the familiar imagery of a dry riverbed in the summer sun—upon closer inspection, however, we discover some of the compl...

SAM Talks: A Potter’s Legacy with Damon Moon Join us as we discuss key artworks in our most recent exhibition; A Finer Grain, selected works from the Shepparton Art Museum. In this iteration, Damon Moon remarks on Marea Gazzard’s artwork in the exhibition, with introductory remarks from SAM Director Dr. Rebecca Coates.  #samtalks #samtalkspodcast #sheppartonartmuseum #contemporaryart  Stay in touc...

SAM Talks: Colour with David Sequeira Join us as we discuss a series of key artworks in our most recent exhibition; A Finer Grain, selected works from the Shepparton Art Museum. In this iteration, David Sequeira remarks on Grace Cossington Smith’s artwork in the exhibition, with introductory remarks from SAM Director Dr. Rebecca Coates. #samtalks #samtalkspodcast #sheppartonartmuseum #contemporary...

SAM Talks: Angela Valamanesh   Join us as we discuss a series of key artworks in our most recent exhibition; A Finer Grain, selected works from the Shepparton Art Museum . In this iteration, Angela Valamanesh speaks on her artwork in the exhibition, with introductory remarks from SAM Director Dr Rebecca Coates. #samtalks #samtalkspodcast #sheppartonartmuseum #contemporaryart  Stay in touch with SA...

SAM Talks: The Exquisite Pirate  with Sally Smart   In this iteration of our mini-series exploring artworks featured in our 2019/2020 exhibition A Finer Grain: Selected works from the Shepparton Art Museum , Sally Smart discusses her 2006 artwork The Exquisite Pirate #3 (Pink / Dress / Parrot) , with introductory remarks from SAM Director Dr Rebecca Coates. #samtalks #samtalkspodcast #sheppartonar...

Join Jahnne Pasco-White as she talks about her recent Drawing Wall commission Becoming-other , her response to the landscape and the way she captures this on canvas. Speaking about her methods and approaches to artmaking, Jahnne discusses her use of naturally-dyed fabrics and pigments that connect her practice to place.  Stay in touch with SAM on socials: Instagram / www.instagram.com/sam_sheppart...

SAM Talks: Sound Seen with Sarah CrowEST Over the month of October, sound makers of all persuasions responded to visual scores created by artist Sarah CrowEST. Learn more about the online project and listen to the responses from participants in this SAM Talks: Sound Seen podcast.  Stay in touch with SAM on socials: Instagram / www.instagram.com/sam_shepparton Facebook / www.facebook.com/shepparton...

SAM Talks: Industry Insights with Pink Ember Studio founders Aaron and Aoife Billings What do you need to do to flourish in highly competitive arts and cultural space that is now largely online? In this SAM Talks: Industry Insights podcast, discover how Aaron and Aoife co-founded a queer-run artist co-op, Pink Ember Studios, and how they continue their practice in a COVID- socially distanced world...

SAM Talks: Art and Design w ith artist Irene Grishin Selzer and Irina Rybakov of pépite  H ow has the need for art resulted in a design focus in our living rooms during the physical closures of our art museums and galleries? Many art enthusiasts have turned their focus towards their own places of creativity during these times of isolation. In this SAM Talks: Art and Design podcast, join artist Ire...