This prize-winning, astonishingly realistic painting (not a photo) leads HELEN MUSA’s latest Arts in the City column. 

Canberra watercolour artist Frances McMahon has won Best in Show and $20,000 for the third time in the 2026 Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art. Her painting, Razzle Dazzle (Superb Parrots), was one of just 40 finalists nationwide and the only ACT entry. 

Rachael Grace is performing The Australian Barbra Streisand Show, celebrating the singer’s six-decade career, at Belconnen Arts Centre, November 19.

The Australian National Town Crying Championship took over the Victorian town of Kyabram on November 7, to help celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. They paid tribute to the late Canberra town crier Joseph McGrail-Bateup, who died in July. He had set a Guinness World Record for the loudest shout by an individual.

Lilly Suli Brock has won the 2026 ANU School of Art and Design Drawing Prize for her eco-dyed batik work, Kapu Kubil, 2025. Highly commended works were Summer Composition, 2026, an ink on paper work by Nathan Ashley, and Untitled, 2026, a blown and kiln-worked glass work by Grace Mackinnon.

Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter will join acclaimed pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout for an intimate program pairing Schubert with Swedish songs, reflecting her own musical heritage. Snow Concert Hall, November 21.

Canberra Choral Society will celebrate the festive season with Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. This Come and Sing event features soloists, 160 singers and a professional orchestra under the baton of Sam Allchurch. Llewellyn Hall, November 21.

Maiden Mother Crone features new works from three contemporary female artists, Del Kathryn Barton, Emily Hunt and Jess Johnson. The summer exhibition spans painting, textiles, drawing, ceramics and video. National Portrait Gallery, November 14-May 23.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.