CAreer

2010 Founder: Aspects of Creativity Aspects of Creativity cross-examines, analyses and communicates the benefits of good design from the viewpoint of the practitioner and the client. Sharon established this independent consultancy in January 2010 with a team of experienced facilitators, researchers and consultation experts to support engagement projects in the architecture and design sector. Leading the student engagement programme for all Willmott Dixon Academy developments, the team is responsible for facilitating and documenting the views of hundreds of young people on design in their environment. The resulting publications remain integral to design developments throughout building construction. The work undertaken with Willmott Dixon is being developed more widely with other leading construction firms. Also in 2010 Founder: The Art of Food 2011 saw the launch of a series of publications relating to the facts, fiction and folklore of different foods. The books are designed to offer hosts and hostesses distinct yet varied information on specific ingredients or topics. The inaugural publication, The Art of Food: Mushrooms, provides recipes along with facts about growing, harvesting, identification, famous people poisoned by, as well as the science, music, art, literature and humour inspired by, mushrooms. Subjects for others in the series include offal, chocolate and colour in our food. 2010 Director, The Sorrell Foundation The purpose of the Foundation was to join up the skills and resources of the creative industries, young people (both engaged and excluded from education) and local and central government, to make schools and youth facilities more fit for purpose, and to develop the skills, confidence and maturity of the pupils. Sharon led the research, shaped the consultation model and led the editorial team responsible for creating Pupils’ Brief Publications for over 300 schools per year. In one exemplar programme with Studio E Architects she identified the key learning and access points across a three-year build period during the creation of City Academy Hackney, documenting this knowledge to win the Innovation in Student Engagement Award at the Excellence in BSF Awards, 2009. In 2003, government launched the BSF programme. Sharon led the Foundation’s joinedupdesignforschools consultation team and in 2005 created an exhibition and seminar programme with supporting publications to disseminate early findings at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This exhibition was pivotal in conversations with leading architects about the development of the schools’ estate. The V&A exhibition was adapted for tour throughout 2005/06 to regions in the first waves of regeneration. She led a team of writers, production managers, copy editors and graphic designers to disseminate the knowledge in the form of publications, films, events, exhibitions, reports to government to support policy development, and ultimately, the creation of new buildings. 1986-2003 Sharon Plant Arts Consultancy This high-profile consultancy created opportunities for business and industry to engage with the creative sector. Sharon was integral to the founding of the New Designers Exhibition, working with the show for 12 years, helping promote the best art and design work coming out of UK design colleges, establishing the exhibitions long-running awards and sponsorship scheme, and promoting Britain’s design talent overseas. She was the concept originator of Top Office, an exhibition to promote art and design commissioning to business leaders, working with key figures, including Margaret Thatcher, Anita Roddick and Jeff Banks, who each commissioned new offices created by 100 applied artists. The exhibition was opened by Margaret Thatcher. Sharon was the inaugural editor of the Business Design Centre’s quarterly magazine, and responsible for such publications as the annual New Designers catalogue, SIT: the history of seating, Top Office, Design Magazine and The History of the Agricultural Hall. As Head of Communications for the Michael Peters Group, she led the PR team responsible for press and financial reports. She was a Visiting lecturer on PPD for University of the Arts London and Strategy Advisor to the Crafts Council and the London Arts Board for which she wrote the Applied Arts Report. She has directed campaigns for the art and design sector including Absolut Vodka, The Design Trust, London Borough of Hackney, London Borough of Islington and Cornwall Arts Association. She was the concept initiator and curator for the Made by Children Exhibition (4 – 18 years) opened by Mayor Ken Livingstone and working with Antony Gormley on a Children’s Art Award drawn from an exhibition outreach programme in schools, community centres and libraries involving 2000 children and 35 artists. Sharon edited and published the supporting Made by Children publication. In September 2003 she helped launch the inaugural London Design Festival as the Festival Coordinator. As well as coordinating the first festival, Sharon designed and curated the Royal College of Art Icons touring exhibition, to record today’s iconic design choices as selected by leading figures from across the creative industry; the exhibition was opened by Sir Terence Conran. In 1985, Sharon opened London’s Applied Arts Showhouse to promote and direct commissioning within the applied arts sector for over 400 artist-designers, writing the promotional catalogues, funded by London Arts Board. 1981-1986 Gallery Owner, Aspects Aspects was the first independent applied arts gallery to publish a magazine, which she wrote with the late art critic Peter Dormer. She was also responsible for all publications supporting the touring exhibitions.