Liz Cooper

Liz is a contemporary craft specialist curator, writer and consultant. For over 20 years she’s delivered exhibitions and creative sector CPD for not-for-profit and commercial organisations across UK, Ireland and New Zealand. Liz leads on strategic projects and development for Design-Nation and has been working with Design-Nation since 2013.

Essential tools: I couldn’t survive without spreadsheets or a bound notebook.

Inspirational person: So many people inspire me, especially makers, but my real hero is rock poet Patti Smith.

Favourite material/technique: My background is in textiles and I am passionate about weaving. I also seek out contemporary jewellery in unusual materials and I love the mystery of handblown glass – like modern alchemy, unknowable to outsiders and completely magical.

My guilty pleasure is a good novel and some dark chocolate.

The best thing about this job is that I get to work with fascinating creative people and show off their work to the world.

I’m proud to juggle a complex freelance career – curator, writer, mentor, consultant – if sometimes a little stressed. But I like to keep busy.