From left: Vicky Müenzer-Jones, Sharon James and Laura Vent

From left: Vicky Müenzer-Jones, Sharon James and Laura Vent join Dorset Visual Arts’ seven existing trustees, who are all arts and culture professionals

Photo: Emilio Nunez / Dorset Visual Arts

Changing Faces

Dorset Visual Arts welcomes trio of board members

Arts Professional
2 min read

Dorset Visual Arts (DVA), a charity promoting appreciation of arts, design, and craft for public benefit by championing local artists and makers, has appointed a trio of trustees with experience across the cultural sector.

Among the new intake is artist and curator SHARON JAMES. Working in oil painting, drawing, and printmaking, James’s practice explores personal and collective histories, with a focus on motherhood, heritage, and the Black British experience.

James said she hopes to draw upon her varied experience across the creative industries to help develop and strengthen DVA.

”Representation matters deeply to me,” she said, “and I want to use this role to advocate for Global Majority artists across Dorset, ensuring that all artists feel seen, supported, and valued.”

VICKY MÜENZER-JONES, an artist, designer and solicitor, also said she was “delighted” to become a DVA trustee.

Following a career as a partner at an international law firm and as a group general counsel, she now sells her original paintings and drawings, in addition to serving as a career coach, leadership trainer, and facilitator at Unlocked Potential.

“After building a second life in the arts here in Dorset, I have seen firsthand how much talent and energy there is in this community,” she said.

“I hope to use my experience to support the organisation as it grows and reaches more people across the county.”

Rounding out the cohort is freelance creative director, producer and consultant LAURA VENT, who works across visual culture, research, and publishing, collaborating with international brands and organisations.

Vent is the founder and creative director at Source Material Studio and a former
associate lecturer at University of the Arts London.

She said, “My work is driven by a belief in the vital role artists play in shaping culture, and I am excited to support DVA and the communities it serves.”

Creative director PAUL NEWMAN added, “We are thrilled to be working with
our new trustees and know they will be valuable additions to our board. Their passion and different perspectives will help strengthen our governance and support the vital work our board does to support our charitable aims.”