Management and Coordination:
Beverley Carpenter – Founder, Artist & Coordinator Oblique Arts
Beverley Carpenter is a founding member of Oblique Arts. She has had an extensive career in visual arts and performance prior to setting up Oblique Arts in 2007. Oblique Arts was registered as a charity in 2011. Beverley has brought together a diverse range of artists and educators to deliver high quality arts in Cambridgeshire for the wider community. Her speciality is in methodologies of participation and she has worked across Europe in collaboration with musicians, scientists and young people, both in formal and non-formal education. She has a portfolio of work that includes large-scale installation in public buildings internationally and co-written publications. Beverley has held teaching positions and gained a PhD in practice-based fine art. She has trained youth workers in creative methodologies and led youth projects in the UK, which offer non-formal accredited learning opportunities.
Penny Sobr – Artist, Illustrator & Designer – Oblique Arts Secretary
After gaining a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design, Penny became a freelance fashion illustrator in her native New Zealand before making the move to the UK. She spent the next 20 years working as a freelance illustrator for clients such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Elizabeth Arden, Boots and WH Smith. She also worked for international hotel chains, newspapers and advertising and design companies. In Cambridge, she currently works for several organisations including councils. She recently created digital artwork for 10 large lanterns for the Mill Road Lantern Trail & postcards for the project #seeyousoon.
Chris Free – Media Manger & Tutor
Chris Free is a designer, songwriter (EMI Publishing – England In June Productions) and #creativeengland musician ( The Users – A Craze – The Sound of Pop Art ). He has licensed and sold music and clothing (Cinema X – CX London) around the world. He has also built websites for clothing labels, musicians and artists. He has also produced brochures, business cards and flyers for events and media campaigns.
Emma Lister – Finance Manager
Emma Lister is an experienced Finance Manager with a strong background in all-round accounting. Over her 20-year career, she has worked closely with both CEOs and CFOs, contributing to high-level strategic planning while leading the day-to-day operations of an eight-person finance team. Emma is a flexible and proactive professional, confident in implementing new policies and procedures to improve efficiency and compliance. She is CIMA-qualified (completed 2010) and known for her excellent interpersonal skills, clear communication, and problem-solving abilities.In addition to her finance career, Emma values creativity. After earning a BA in Photography in Europe, she later completed an MA in Creative Writing at Anglia Ruskin University, rekindling her passion for storytelling while volunteering as a Creative Writing Teaching Assistant. She finds writing to be a fulfilling contrast to her analytical work, offering space for self-expression.
Emma currently contributes to the arts community through her role with Oblique Arts, supporting funding applications and serving as Treasurer on the board.
Trustees
Petr Torak MBE, Julian Pickles, Amanda Gawthrope
Partner organisations:
Thrifts Walk Studios (Cambridge Art Salon), Cambridge County Council, COMPAS Peterborough, Museum of Cambridge, Zoology Museum, Cambridge Artworks, Anglia Ruskin University, Balik Arts, Cambridge Live, Jimmy’s Nightshelter, Foundation of Edward Storey, Wintercomfort, Junction Cambridge, 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning, Friends, Families and Travellers Gypsy Council Kai Dikhas, Romsey Mill.
Associated Artists & Creative practitioners:
Jannie Brightman, Jamie Ashman, Sally Hardcastle, PFP Productions, Max Goldstein, Dawn Burford, Jane Norman, Irene Ruby, Moritz Pankok and Emma Stevens.
