If you’ve ever wandered through Fitzroy and wondered what stories the buildings could tell, Deb Huff’s art might just have the answer. A Perth-based artist and illustrator, Deb has a deep appreciation for old buildings, local legends and the quiet beauty of the everyday. Her black-and-white digital works celebrate the kinds of places we often overlook: heritage shopfronts, hidden terraces, long-loved pubs and corner stores with ghosts in the walls.

The Galerie Fitzroy is a bright upstairs studio built on decades of collecting, curating and chasing down bold, beautiful pieces from around the world. Founded by Shelley Collins after a serendipitous encounter with vintage posters in San Francisco, the upstairs Brunswick Street studio has become a destination for original works with heart, history and humour. In this Q&A, Shelley shares the story behind the gallery, what keeps her inspired and how she helps others find the poster that truly clicks.

When the sun goes down, Fitzroy comes alive. Whether you’re up for a round of pool, a drink and a drawing session, live music or a memorable karaoke night, there’s something to head out for every evening of the week. From dazzling drag shows and open mic nights to salsa dancing and cocktails with jazz, this neighbourhood knows how to keep things lively after dark. Whatever your pace, you’ll find a bar stool, a dance floor or a quiet corner waiting. We’ve rounded up seven after-dark favourites to help you make the most of your nights — read on and try something new this week.

Melbourne Design Week is back from 15 to 25 May this year, with a dynamic program of talks, tours, exhibitions, installations and workshops taking place across the city. Presented by the NGV and Creative Victoria, the festival brings together designers, educators, thinkers and creatives to explore how design can shape a better future. This year’s theme, Design the World You Want, encourages designers to imagine how creativity can foster sustainability, repair and transformation.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, falling on Sunday, 11 May. It's a time to celebrate the incredible women and mother figures who lift us up, love us fiercely and shape our lives in countless ways. Whether it’s a relaxed brunch, a thoughtful gift, time well spent or all of the above, Fitzroy is full of ways to make Mother’s Day one to remember. And by choosing to dine, shop and explore locally, you’re also supporting the businesses you love and make this neighbourhood so unique. Here’s how to make Mother’s Day extra special this year.

Fitzroy pub façades, old Victorian windows and stories embedded in architecture, these are just some of the fragments that Melbourne artist Zory McGrath brings to life in her layered, expressive work. Her latest exhibition, Fragments of Urban Essence, runs from 8 to 25 May at Brunswick Street Gallery, with opening night celebrations on Friday, 9 May from 6 to 8 PM. Using recycled cardboard and textured surfaces, the series explores urban renewal, memory and the beauty found in overlooked corners of the built environment. Zory’s separate series on Fitzroy’s pubs, a tribute to the character and charm of these beloved spaces, is also available through the BSG store. She’ll be exhibiting alongside a diverse group of artists across the gallery’s May program.