Art and fruit don’t just come together in paintings, they can also provide the building blocks of new city infrastructure.
A group of Shepparton district orchardists has come together to offer financial support for the Shepparton Art Museum due to be fully opened on November 20.
The group of eight growers headed by Rocky Varapodio, Shane Hall and Jimmy Kalafatis has so far generously donated about $250,000 for the state-of-the art museum’s foundation fund headed by Shepparton arts promoter John Head.
In return, the grassy slope outside the distinctive new building on the south-eastern shore of Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake will be named Orchard Hill in recognition of the fruit industry’s long history and contribution to the region.
Mr Varapodio said he was only too happy to offer support when the foundation approached him for help.
“This is going to be really great for the town, and it’s something we wanted to get behind because we have all built our livelihoods in the region,” Mr Varapodio said.
Mr Hall agreed, saying he might not know much about art, but he knew a good investment when he saw it.
“I see this as something that’s going to enhance our region and bring people here,” Mr Hall said.
“The fruit industry has been such an historical part of this region — I think what a great legacy we could leave. It just seemed a good fit.”
Mr Varapodio deflected criticism of the new $50 million building saying it was a sound investment for the city.
“We get a $50 million building for $15 million — it’s a no-brainer,” he said.
SAM Foundation chairman John Head said the orchardists’ generous donations would go a long way to help meet the foundation’s capital funding target of $7 million, which now sits at $6.7 million.
“A lot of people understand how important this new building is to the region — whether they are interested in the arts or not,” Mr Head said.