Vali Myers in her studio in the Nicholas Building, by Liz Ham, 1997, gelatin silver photograph, State Library Victoria, copyright of the artist

In 1993, after 43 years away, Myers returned to Melbourne where she set up a studio in the Nicholas Building, on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane. The Nicholas Building has been described as a ‘vertical laneway’ with its fascinating warren of small studios occupied by artists, designers, jewellers, shoemakers and milliners. For the remaining decade of her life Myers painted, drew, drank and danced here with those who came to be in the presence of this unique free spirit.