JANE BARNES

Panel Member

Jane Barnes is Executive Director of The Big Draw. She is also an artist, well-being specialist and yoga teacher, her work often merging creativity and wellbeing. Studying Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University, Jane secured a Tate Fellowship at Tate Liverpool and went on to be the curator for Tate’s MAP (Mobile Art Programme), working with Toby Jackson. She has worked as a member of the Cheshire Arts Advisory Team, led by renowned painter, David Firmstone. Her experience in higher education has led her to a variety of management positions, including Director of Visual, Performing Arts and Media at Riverside College Halton, before moving into cultural management and administration as Relationship Manager for both Visual Arts and Combined Arts with Arts Council England. In addition, she has taken on a variety of key freelance projects as an artist and consultant. Her work in education and wellbeing has been focused on understanding how an individual thinks and enabling them to achieve their highest potential, enjoying their creative journey and celebrating their individuality.

MARLENE WILEY

Panel Member

Marlene Wylie is President at The National Society of Education in Art and Design a membership organisation that is the UK voice of Art, Craft and Design educators from all phases and sectors.

Having trained originally as a textiles designer Marlene has taught art, craft and design in schools at primary and secondary level for over 25 years.

Marlene is the Visualise Project Lead for the Runnymede Trust. She leads the Visualising Inclusive Practice team and project, which aims to deliver the first major research commission into access to the visual arts for Black, Asian and minority ethnic students. She oversees the project including the overall research design and implementation as part of the wider arts and arts education space in the UK.

Operating as a consultant in a strategic and co-ordinating role has resulted in the forging of professional relationships and contacts at key institutions in the field of Art, Craft and Design advocacy.

Marlene remains committed to supporting the growth and objectives of this organisation through a network of school meetings, events and activities across the country.

TONY HEATON OBE

Panel Member

Tony is a practising Sculptor, Chair of Shape Arts and Consultant/Advisor to many major cultural organisations, including: The British Council, Tate and the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries. He is the initiator of NDACA – the National Disability Arts Collection and Archive.

This sculpture, Gold Lamé, recently occupied The Liverpool Plinth and his “Monument to the Unintended Performer” was installed on the Big 4 at the entrance to Channel 4 TV Centre in celebration of the 2012 Paralympics. His sculpture “Squarinthecircle?” is situated outside the school of architecture, Portsmouth University.

He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, 2013, for services to the arts and the disability arts movement and has an Alumni Award from Lancaster University and honorary Doctorates from both the University of Leicester and the new University Bucks.

PAUL CARNEY

Panel Member

Paul is a nationally recognised art & design consultant having delivered specialist art CPD in schools, colleges, galleries, and Universities across the UK and for the UK’s leading art education providers; including the National College, Kapow Education, Access Art, NSEAD, BBC Bitesize, Mary Myatt and Osiris Education.  

Paul is a published author of two books: Drawing for Science, Invention and Discovery and his latest book Drawing to learn anything. He is also a practicing professional artist and designer.  

Paul runs his highly successful art website: paulcarneyarts.com that provides high quality teaching resources and advice to teachers around the world. He has over twenty years teaching experience at Primary, Secondary and post-16 levels of education, is an Advanced Skills Teacher, ex-Subject Leader for Art and was a member of the DfE Expert Advisory Group for Art and Design.  In addition to this he was a member of the NSEAD Curriculum Writing Group that wrote the ‘Framework for Progression, Planning for Learning, Assessment, Recording and Reporting 2014.’  

MARIA OLIVEIRA

Student Panel Member

Maria Oliveira was born in 2005 in Portugal and moved to England at 11 years old in 2017. She has a passionate creative mind specialising mainly in photography. Currently enrolled in the Art and Design program at City of Oxford, in College. Maria channels her passion for artistic expression into captivating visual narratives.

Her artistic journey mainly focuses on human experience, their bodies and the mind. Some of her recent works explore body language, fears and the 4 natural elements connections with humans. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings, personal experiences and intimate connections with communities, people, and loved ones. She has worked as a photographer for  Oxford Royale, and has collaborated with OCEP – youth voice project.

In the years to come, fuelled by her desire to immerse herself in diverse cultures and communities, she aspires to travel, meet new people, broadening her horizons and finding inspiration in new places and encounters. Additionally, Maria aims to further her education in the realms of art through marketing and business. Eager to collaborate with fellow artists and brands, she wants to inspire and connect.