Management committee at Craft ACT

About Craft ACT: Management committee

The Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre Management Committee are drawn from the Canberra and region craft and design network and are experienced in the areas of professional practice, administration, business management and financial administration.

The Management Committee consists of seven people who are elected by the members. Members are appointed for a term of 1 year, and are eligible for re-election for up to 6 successive years. The Management Committee meet monthly and advises on strategies for the growth and sustainability of Craft ACT and the sector.

Sharon Peoples - President 2010

Sharon Peoples completed her PhD in art history in 2008. She has worked as a designer/maker is represented in the collections of local and national institutions. She is the internship co-ordinator in the Museums and Collections Program in Liberal Arts at the Research School of Humanities at the Australian National University (ANU). Sharon now writes in the emerging area of fashion theory as well as maintaining a profile as an exhibiting artist, lecturing in textiles at the ANU School of Art and curating textile exhibitions. She also has lectured and tutored in the Research School of Humanities, Canberra School of Art ANU, Art History Department ANU where she completed her PhD, Military Uniforms in the Eighteenth Century: Gender Power and Politics. Her background also includes interior design, theatre design as well as an embroiderer.

Stephanie von Gavel - Vice President 2009 - 2010

Stephanie Von Gavel is a Legal Counsel with CSIRO where she is responsible for a range of technology related agreements, together with issues such as intellectual property management. Stephanie has also worked in Australia and overseas in the area of business development in biotechnology. Stephanie has had a life long interest in ‘making’ things and is a collector of contemporary craft and design objects.

Charles Higgins - Treasurer 2010

Charles Higgins is a director at the Australian National Audit Office, working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Australian Government operations. He has previously worked at the NGA and related businesses in the arts industry. Charles is a qualified lawyer, and is also a board member of AusGlass : the Australian Association of Glass Artist Limited.

Ximena Briceño

Ximena Briceño is an international artist and researcher. Her core career interests lie in the history and practice of fine arts and crafts, jewellery and precious metal work developed in different cultures. Born in the USA, she grew up in Lima, Peru, where she had first contact with native artisans and their diverse crafts. Ximena arrived in Australia in 2004, and has recently submitted her PhD dissertation in Gold and Silversmithing titled Filigree: a Migrant Metal Practice, researching silver filigree with emphasis on its history and technical aspects of the technique. Ximena has a strong background working with youth and community organisations in the USA and has extensive experience in the retail sector.

Peter de Deckker

Professor Peter de Deckker is currently the Director of the UC Polytechnic, Associate Dean International and Engagement, and Head of Design in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra. After gaining his qualifications at the Institute St Luc of Tournai, Belgium.Peter practiced as a Design Architect, both corporately and as a private practitioner, realising many architectural projects in Europe and in Australia. His passion for design and its educational delivery steered Peter's focus towards the teaching profession and he has dedicated the last twenty years to vocational design education at tertiary, undergraduate and post graduate levels, with a special emphasis on broadening collaborative links with institutions worldwide. He was Dean of the Faculty of Design at the Canberra Institute of Technology from 2004 until 2010. Peter is a respected advocate and sponsor of the local and national art and design fraternity and is an active member of many professional organisations which re-enforces his industry currency.

Andrea Greenslade

Andrea Greenslade is a curator at the National Museum of Australia where she has worked in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program since the Museum opened in 2001. Previously she ran an arts business in Canberra and was a freelance curator and manager of national Indigenous art awards for the Australian Heritage Commission. Her artistic passions were founded in her printmaking and gold smithing practices before coming to Australia twenty years ago.

Craig Harris

Craig Harris has been involved in several hands-on and creative industries since completing his Master of Fine Arts in 2002. He has been a lecturer, carpenter, cabinet maker, designer in residence at Newington College, and owned his own furniture design business. Craig's design practice is about making in ways that consider the environment and his major focus is furniture and objects. Craig has been a regular exhibitor in both solo and group exhibitions.

Lyn Valentine

Lyn Valentine is a member of the Senior Executive within the Federal Department of Human Services. Lyn is a Certified Practising Accountant who specialises in financial reporting within the Government sector. Lyn has been a Chief Financial Officer of a small Federal Government agency, Treasurer on the Board of Craft Australia from 2004 to 2009 and is currently a Director on the Board of a not-for-profit social welfare organisation based in Canberra. Lyn is an avid collector of fine art and contemporary craft.