Advisory Group 
The voluntary Group draws together local, regional, national and international experts from the UK and around the world

Raphael was one of the founding members of The Margate School before taking time out to complete his PhD.

As a Thanet based artist, Brian is Coordinator of the annual Thanet Schools Young Artists Festival, now in its 14th year.

Crista has a multi-faceted career in the international art world. Working with both high profile and emerging artists, she has been a gallerist, a publisher, an art dealer, a studio manager, curator, course leader, scholar, mentor, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Estelle is a Creative Producer with a broad understanding of the visual and performing arts. She has a range of skills, encompassing project management, fundraising, marketing, event coordination, and artistic development.

Ingrid has a comprehensive career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a journalist, producer, writer, and host of both live and pre-recorded radio and tv output, addressing political and social issues with local artists, writers, film makers, and musicians.

Jeffrey is an architect and urban designer and is co-founder and Managing Director of Studio Contra, the architectural, interior and urban design practice based in Lagos, Nigeria.

John was closely involved in developing the UK government’s first policies for the creative industries in the 1990s. He was Head of Corporate Relations for Channel 4 Television (2000-2005) and executive assistant to Lord Puttnam as the Chairman of the film company Enigma Productions Ltd (1992-97).

Marina has curated many art exhibitions and initiated a series of social history presentations related to Cyprus. In 2014 she became the Executive Director for Pafos2017 to deliver European Capital of Culture Pafos2017.

With more than 20 years’ experience in art and design pedagogy through his role as Subject leader in Contexts for Graphic Communication Design at Central Saint Martins, Paul is also a member of the Art Committee of the Imperial Healthcare Charity and a partner in Rennie’s Seaside Modern, a gallery of curated art and design in Folkestone.

As both Visual Communication Co-ordinator at The Margate School and a successful independent graphic designer based in Thanet, Rebecca has over twenty-two years’ experience as a designer for local government, private consultancies and as a freelancer.

Andy has designed costumes for movies, commercials, music videos. From punk rock to
couture, he has been linked to some of the world’s most iconic names such as Placebo,
Skunk Anansie, Kate Bush and Robbie Williams and collaborations with pioneers such as
‘All Saints’ founder Stuart Trevor and the brand Elensa.

Christopher is a freelance strategist, curriculum designer and creative director supporting individuals and organisations to establish, equip and reinforce authentic visions, products and services across differing cultural climates.

Both a post graduate student and Darkroom Coordinator at The Margate School, Dominic has instigated and managed arts commissions and events in Margate over the past five years.

Gillian has a leadership background in media, entrepreneurial business and higher education, working across Europe, the USA, Africa and East Asia.

Jane is an artist, curator, writer and educator who currently provides continuity support for ‘Voices that Shake!’, the youth-led, arts, race programme, hosted by Platform, London.

Jeremy has worked at some of the most creative advertising agencies in the UK including, McCann Erickson, Davidson Pearce, BMP and WMGO.

Currently Professor of Environment and Society at the University of Essex, and Director of the Centre for Public and Policy Engagement, Jules’ career has focused on exploring, innovating and acting on the intersection between people and natural resources and between society and environment.

Michael has an international overview encompassing the USA, Europe and the UK with strong governance connections to Kent at Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company.

Phil is an award-winning writer, director and producer with over ten years’ experience in the successful design, delivery and dissemination of creative education of ambitious multi-participant collaborations.

Award winning artist, graphic designer and moving image producer, Richard has worked internationally across Europe, the USA and the UK both as an independent and for socially and environmentally engaged broadcast channels.

Alberto is a conceptual and installation artist, a senior lecturer at Middlesex University and an independent researcher.

Christy has a background in contemporary fine art with knowledge and experience of working within HE, art in the public realm, and establishing links with local, regional, and international partners for creative collaborations.

Following twenty-five years of experience in the international art sector and eight years of experience in art criticism (Zürichseezeitungen, Switzerland), Elisabeth founded Kepler Art Conseil in Paris to develop and exhibit innovative practices in contemporary art.

Helen is an Irish-British conceptual artist. Born and partly raised in Ireland, she now lives in Cyprus

Jean-Luc is a creative consultant, experienced project manager and communications specialist.

John Harvey graduated from Kingston University in 1979 with a BA (Hons) in Design and then worked in a number of design and architectural consultancies until co-founding Din Associates in 1987.

Laura was born and raised in Zimbabwe and is now based in Coventry, UK. She is a mother, a multi-disciplinary artist, storyteller, designer/ maker, writer, curator, performer, changemaker and advocate.

Myles co-founded and co-runs Linden Hall Studio in Deal, Kent, with satellite galleries in London and Canterbury. He is currently working a new venture in Chichester, West Sussex.

Political artist and founding member of the Arborealist Movement, Philippa worked in HE for more than 30 years and has a considerable reputation as an international visual arts curator.

Sharon is the driving force behind ‘Our Kitchen’ on Margate High Street, which provides families with ingredients and knowledge on how to cook healthy and nutritious meals economically.