The best art exhibitions in Melbourne this week

The Immigration Museum on Flinders Street is all about leaning into what makes us happy. Enter Joy, a vibrant, playful exhibition that will run through until December 7, 2025. Joy features seven brand new commissioned installations from leading Victorian-based creatives, each expressing the artists’ own personal joy. You can expect an emotive adventure where colour and storytelling combine, and big happy moments that sit alongside more reflective ones. Experience the vibrant power of joy as you walk amongst room-sized interactive artworks, or contribute your own joy with the collaborative ‘share your joy’ wall. Venezuelan-born Australian artist Nadia Hernández has filled the Immigration Museum’s hallway with bold collage works, ‘future positive’ fashion designer Nixi Killick has created a ‘joy generator’ and queer artist Spencer Harrison has created a runway where you can strut your stuff. Jazz Money, a Wiradjuri poet and artist, has fused sculpture, audio and mural for a work reflecting the history of the museum site, while local artist Beci Orpin has taken over a room with a giant toy rabbit made to be hugged. Afghanistan-Australian visual artist and poet Elyas Alavi and Sher Ali have also created a large-scale mural illustrating a Persian myth.  Lastly, much-loved pop artist and designer Callum Preston has constructed a full-scale replica of a nineties video store, a joy he never thought he would miss until he realised it was gone. Entry to Joy is included in the...

The ultimate festive shopping spree awaits when the Big Design Market returns just in time for Christmas.  From November 28-30, the Royal Exhibition Building is set to be transformed into a shopper's haven for three big days. You'll be able to peruse more than 280 stallholders from Australia and New Zealand, selling things like ethically made ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing, lifestyle products, stationery, limited-edition art prints, pet wares and so much more.  Shopping can be hungry work, so be sure to fuel up with treats from some of the country's best culinary connoisseurs, including the likes of Wonder Pies, Ca Com Bánh Mì Bar, Casa Nata, Ugo Burrata Bar, Cobb Lane and Billy Van Creamery. On the beverage front, Axil Coffee Roasters will be doing some delicious brews, while Pizzini Wines will be on hand to whip up something a tad stronger.  This market's guest artist is Emma Morgan, who is best know for her beautiful botanic designs and illustrations. She'll be creating a jaw-dropping large-scale installation for the event. Don't miss the fashion runway at 6pm on Friday, November 28 (starring the latest collections from the fashion designers in attendance); and if you’ve got kids in tow, a designated entertainment zone with creative activities is sure to keep them busy. The show bags are also back – these usually sell out within the first few hours and boast more than $150 worth of goodies (including stationery, socks, body care and gourmet produce) for just...