Tickets are live for Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso at SAM

The blockbuster exhibition is heading to Shepparton next month!

With just one month to go, tickets are now officially on sale for Facing Modernity: Degas to  Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, opening at Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) on 23 May. 

This landmark exhibition brings some of the most celebrated names in modern art to regional  Victoria for the very first time, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí,  Paul Cezanne and Barbara Hepworth that have never been shown before in Australia. 

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

 

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Spanning nearly a century of artistic innovation, the exhibition features 37 extraordinary  paintings and sculptures tracing the evolution of modern art—from Impressionism through to  Cubism, Surrealism and post-war abstraction. Drawn from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki,  these works have captivated audiences in Aotearoa New Zealand and will now make their only  Australian appearance in Shepparton.

Alongside the exhibition, SAM today announces a vibrant public program designed to bring  audiences closer to the ideas and stories behind modern art. The program includes: 

• Curator and guest talks exploring the movements that shaped modernism  • Guided tours offering deeper insight into key works and artists  
• Petit Picasso Studio for Kids – a series of free drop-in workshops 
• Bar SAM Soirée – extended late-night openings with live jazz, food and drinks • SAM Deep Dives lecture series introducing Modernism 

Visitors are encouraged to make a day – or weekend – of it, exploring Shepparton and the wider Goulburn Valley, a region known for its food, wine, landscapes and growing cultural scene. 

This major international exhibition includes works from the significant Robertson gift to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, offering a rare glimpse into one of the most important private collections of modern art. From the atmospheric brushwork of Impressionism to the bold experimentation of Cubism and the dreamlike visions of Surrealism, Facing Modernity charts how artists reshaped the way we see the world. 

SAM Artistic Director Danny Lacy says: “Shepparton Art Museum is thrilled to welcome audiences to this extraordinary exhibition. With tickets now on sale and opening day just weeks away, we encourage art lovers to plan their visit for this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to experience these works in  Australia, right here in regional Victoria.” 

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said this is an incredible  opportunity to welcome visitors to the region and boost the local economy. 

“Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso and the Archibald Prize 2026 will attract visitors from  across Victoria and Australia, strengthening local tourism and reinforcing our reputation as a  premier destination for major events and cultural experiences,” he said. 

“Council plays an important role in supporting the visitor economy by working closely with local  businesses. We’re pleased to introduce the Eat, Stay, Play & Shop pocket guide, which will run  alongside both exhibitions, encouraging locals to rediscover the region and giving visitors even  more reasons to stay, spend and explore.” 

Some of the unique local experiences on offer include: 

• Hydie Blooms – Limited edition Picasso-inspired faux flower bouquets and themed  shopfront display. 
• Roughy Corner – Sgraffito Tile Workshops, a beginner friendly ceramics class inspired by  the bold line work of Pablo Picasso. 
• 48 By Stellar & Stellar Coffee – ‘Degas to Piccolo’ offer providing a discount to exhibition  ticket holders. 
• Apple Republic – Limited edition gelato flavour inspired by exhibition artworks and  ‘Introduction to Gelato’ tasting and making workshops. 
• Mooroopna Hardware – Tradie Meets Picasso: Create your own masterpiece series  blending art and DIY. 
• Nicola Bolton Pilates – Move Like An Artist: A Modern Pilates Experience involving a 45- minute class inspired by the connection between body, form and expression.
• Evolve North – Limited edition Picasso-inspired coffee release, featuring an exhibition  inspired artwork and supporting tasting notes. 

Visitors are encouraged to book early to secure preferred exhibition dates and experiences. 

Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso is presented in partnership with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o  Tāmaki and is on display at Shepparton Art Museum, Shepparton, Victoria from 23 May until 20  September 2026. Shepparton locals can purchase tickets at a reduced cost.  

Tickets to Archibald Prize 2026 at SAM are also now on sale, plan your trip to the region in  advance see both blockbuster exhibitions when they cross over in September. 

Tickets are available here