JAMES LAKE

Panel Member

I’ve been working as an artist for over 20 years, working predominately with the medium of cardboard. As an artist with a disability, I realised early in my career that I wanted to develop a process that was inclusive for myself and others. Working with cardboard has always been about creating and supporting a level playing field for the arts. The arts should be available to everyone from every walk of life. As a material, you are free to make anything you can imagine.  I have designed my cardboard sculpture workshops as part of a continuing commitment to enable students from all backgrounds to have equal access to sculptural activities. Using simple materials and tools, in a non-studio environment, participants can continue their artistic journey outside of the workshop. 

Over the years I have worked with primary schools, secondary schools, FE colleges, SEND students and community groups. I’ve been fortunate to exhibit internationally and nationally. My work has also featured in curriculum textbooks internationally, including Canada, Brazil and America. I have also undertaken commissions to create pieces for several different organisations. 

I am soon to be part of an upcoming Royal Society of British Artists exhibition.  Recently I collaborated with ShapeArts and Hotknife Digital to create an animation called ‘Another Day.’ I share the animation with schools to inspire and empower students to pursue creative arts as a subject that is open to them and to give students a feeling that they can have a stake in the society and culture of the future.  Find out more on my website.

MARLENE WYLIE

Panel Member

Marlene Wylie is the Immediate Past President of the National Society of Education in Art and Design (NSEAD), a membership organisation that is the UK voice of Art, Craft, and Design educators from all phases and sectors. 

Originally trained as a textile designer and artist, Marlene has taught art, craft, and design in primary and secondary schools for over 25 years. 

Marlene is the Former Visualise Project Lead for the Runnymede Trust and Freelands Foundation. She led the Visualising Inclusive Practice team and project, which delivered the first major research commission into access to the visual arts for Black, Asian and minority ethnic students. She oversaw the project, including the overall research design and implementation as part of the UK’s broader arts and arts education space. 

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

Marlene remains committed to supporting NSEAD’s growth and objectives through school and trust networks, keynote presentations, and creative education events and activities nationwide. 

ADELE DARLINGTON

Panel Member

Adele Darlington has over 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher in the UK and is now a popular author and art consultant helping schools, trusts, teacher training providers and education partnerships devise and deliver high quality art and design experiences in their settings. As well as working in schools, Adele delivers keynote speeches, workshops and seminars at education conferences, sharing her passion for art in the primary school. 

During lockdown, Adele helped 100s of schools, teachers and children through the creation of her ‘outdoor art boards’ which were shared freely on her social media pages. The boards gave suggestions for art activities to carry out for home learning and are still widely used today. To date, they have been downloaded over 29,000 times!

As well as writing the book 100 ideas for Primary Teachers: Art published by Bloomsbury, Adele is a regular contributor to Teach Primary magazine, is working on her second book title Primary Art in Action and her own primary art curriculum.

KEVIN DALTON JOHNSON

Panel Member

Kevin Dalton-Johnson is a seasoned artist and educator with over 25 years of experience in diverse educational settings. He has taught in higher education, further education, mainstream schools, special educational needs (SEN) programmes, and offender learning, where he served as a Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Coordinator (LDD). Kevin graduated from Leeds University and has led numerous nationwide projects that combine teaching and art.

In 2005, Kevin created “Captured Africans” for the Slave Trade Art Memorial Project (STAMP). This sculpture is the first public artwork in Lancaster’s Quayside area to honour enslaved Africans in the UK. He has exhibited his work internationally, including in the Netherlands, Senegal, Dubai, Berlin, New York, and Mali. Kevin has also curated significant exhibitions, such as “Trade and Empire” at the Whitworth Art Gallery in 2008 and “Africa 53” in 2009, which showcased contemporary African artists.

Kevin is pursuing doctoral research at Manchester Metropolitan University. To connect his work as an artist, researcher, and educator, he employs critical race theory, culturally relevant teaching, and personal narratives. His installations worldwide reflect his journey as a Black British professional and explore the relationship between art, life experiences, and academic concepts. He has recently curated a successful show at What Art Can Do’ in the Netherlands.

Kevin has worked with the Runnymede Trust as the Creative Impact Lead on a project funded by the Freelands Foundation that focuses on race, inclusion, and representation in visual arts and arts education. He is also one of the co-founders of the NSEAD United Black Art Educators (UBAE) support group. Additionally, he serves as a trustee at the Portico Library and is a council member of the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD), where he advocates for diversity and inclusion in the arts.  http://www.kevindaltonjohnson.com

EMILIE KENT

Student Panel Member

I am an art student at the Activate Learning‘s City of Oxford College, and I specialise in fashion and textiles. From a young age I have loved creating expressive artworks in the form of paintings, sculptures and jewellery. Over lockdown I first started using a sewing machine and fell in love with the process of making clothes and upcycling resources and materials I had at home to create new pieces. I have exhibited my work through photoshoots and displaying my pieces in the Oxford Old Fire Station gallery and recently designed and constructed an outfit for Blenheim Palaces’ sustainable Fashion show where I watched my garments being worn down the catwalk which was really exciting.

For the past two years, I have also been volunteering in a local primary school, and I love to lead creative art activities and lessons for the children which can be an amazing escape from their structured day. I see first hand how imaginative their minds are and how creating their own art can bring them a sense of pride and accomplishment and I am a big advocator for art being taught and celebrated in schools.

I am really excited to be joining the judging panel this year and seeing all the incredible artwork and creativity of the students and how they express themselves through their art.

ALEX JACKSON

Student Panel Member

I am a student at Activate Learning‘s City of Oxford College taking art and design where I specialise in photography. In lockdown I discovered a love for animated movies and hope to pursue a related career. My life revolves around my passion for all arts; listening to music, watching films and creating art.