Here’s the latest “Arts in the City” by arts editor HELEN MUSA.

REBUS Theatre has just celebrated its 10th birthday at Gorman Arts Centre. Rebus began in 2013 as a community project to develop theatre-based workplace training to promote disability awareness while providing paid performance opportunities for actors with and without disability. In 2014 it became Rebus Theatre and has won seven awards, developed theatre-based workplace training programs, run more than 47 individual programs with marginalised communities and developed 16 original works with inclusive casts. The future looks bright.

CANBERRA author Zoya Patel, who has three horses of her own, has been working on a young adult novel for horse-loving teens and kids aged 12 and up. The result is “Two Hearts”, in which 15-year-old Ali has never wanted anything more than to compete in the equestrian sport of eventing with her horse, Leo. Patel hopes it’s a “light, fun and thoughtful read”. Available on Amazon.

CRAFT + Design Canberra has something to crow about, with three of its accredited professional members, glass artists Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello and Kirstie Rea and ceramicist Greg Daly, recently honoured with the title of craft master of the Asia Pacific Region by the World Crafts Council, which selected 10 craft masters from the South Pacific region. 

CANBERRA playwright Dylan Van Den Berg is now chair of judges for the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting, alongside veteran dramaturg Peter Matheson and playwright Alana Valentine. As well, his play “The Flood” was recently announced as a runner-up in the 2023 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights’ Award, which he won in 2022.

“WILLIAM Yang’s Mardi Gras” focuses on Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003, exploring the themes of Protest, Community, Art and Remembrance. At the National Library until November.

VISITORS to Sydney might consider a picnic at Glenn Elston’s “The Wind In The Willows” at the Royal Botanic Garden (January 5-28). The musical show celebrates 22 years in the gardens and features Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, Mr Toad and Head Chief Rabbit.