Our ClassBento Awards judges are creative visionaries, blending extensive experience with a sharp eye for innovation and craftsmanship. They’re here to help us celebrate the very best in creativity. Meet the experts behind the decisions!
Tabish Khan – Art Critic, Writer and Speaker
Tabish Khan is a passionate and experienced art awards judge dedicated to making the creative world accessible to everyone. With a keen interest in both blockbuster exhibitions and the emerging art scene, he regularly explores and writes about a wide range of shows.
As the Visual Arts Editor for Londonist since 2013, Tabish has also contributed to FAD, Culture Whisper, Artsy, Elephant, Stir World, and more. His insightful commentary has made him a familiar face on television, radio, and podcasts.
Beyond his writing, Tabish is deeply involved in the art community. He’s a trustee of ArtCan, a non-profit supporting artists, as well as the City & Guilds London Art School and Discerning Eye, which hosts an annual exhibition. He's also a critical friend of UP Projects, bringing contemporary art to public spaces.
“I'm looking for creatives and teachers who have inspired others, helped them unlock their creativity and demonstrated to others the power of including art and creativity within their day to day lives.”
Patricia van den Akker – Creative Business Expert and Coach
Patricia is a seasoned creative business adviser, trainer, and coach with over 25 years of experience helping thousands of creative professionals elevate their business skills, knowledge, and confidence. As the Director of The Design Trust, she has transformed it into a leading online business school for designers, makers, and other creatives.
Patricia is also a recognised expert in creative business development, covering areas such as business planning, marketing, online selling, and financial goal setting. She teaches at prestigious institutions like the Royal College of Art, University of the Arts London, and Central St Martins, and collaborates with craft fairs and trade shows to provide exhibitor and marketing training.
Her self-published business planners and journals have empowered creatives to set meaningful goals and develop strategic plans for their businesses. Patricia was named the Number One Business Adviser in Branding & Design by Enterprise Nation in 2018 and in Sales in 2019.
Currently, she is finalising her book, ‘Teach Your Creative Workshops In Person & Online,’ set to be published by Herbert Press/Bloomsbury in February 2024.
"I think too many workshops are alike so I'll be looking for something special that makes each entry stand out, ensuring that their format, topic, venue, and target student are well-aligned. I'll focus on how clearly they define their audience and the impact they aim to make, the clarity of their teaching approach, their branding and images, and any positive testimonials or quotes!”
Grace Sodzi-Smith – Senior Leader in Arts and Social Innovation
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Grace is a dynamic leader in creative and social innovation with a passion for supporting impactful projects. With experience as a Senior Officer at Arts Council England and CEO of PAPER Arts CIC, Grace has a knack for developing and nurturing standout programs. Her role as a Non-Executive Director at the Rising Arts Agency and her Master’s in Social Innovation from the University of Cambridge further enrich her perspective. Grace’s deep understanding of creative and community-focused initiatives makes her an excellent judge for the ClassBento Awards, where she’s excited to celebrate and recognise exceptional creative projects and programs.
"For the ClassBento Awards, I'll be on the lookout for what I know best – true innovation and social impact."
Isabella Strambio – Artist, Educator and Author
Isabella is a renowned artist, educator, and author with a unique journey from being an International Interior Designer to becoming one of the UK's leading macramé artists. Since making the switch to macramé in 2016, Isabella has become a pioneering educator in the craft, with three published books and a new one on the way. Her work has been celebrated across various platforms, including being a finalist for Best Creative Workshop in the Mollie Makes Awards 2017 and appearing on Channel 4’s Kirsty Handmade Christmas in 2018.
Isabella's passion for macramé extends beyond creating; she has been at the forefront of teaching this art form, both in-person and online, reaching a global audience – if there's one thing Isabella can do, it's creative workshops! She has also co-founded The Creative Winchester Meet-up in 2018, a supportive space for creative women in Hampshire, and has collaborated with Hobby Craft to design numerous macramé tutorials. Her impact on the craft community can also be seen by her role as a finalist in the Etsy Design Award in 2019 and the Modern Maker Award in 2024.
As an author, Isabella has contributed significantly to the modern macramé movement with her books Macramé for the Modern Home (2020), Macramé Weekend Makes (2021), Macramé Jewellery, and Macramé Christmas (2024). She also hosts annual macramé retreats, bringing together enthusiasts for an immersive creative experience. Isabella’s work has been featured in prestigious publications such as The Sunday Telegraph, Psychology Magazine, Mollie Makes, GoodHomes Magazine, AD, and international outlets like Women Create, Origin, and Koel.
"I'm looking for entries that embody passion, creativity, community spirit, and versatility!"
A big thank you to all our judges for helping in this year's awards. Here are the Award Categories that our judges will be selecting winners for. If you'd like to know more information about the judging process please see FAQs.
