Leamington Studio Artists (LSA) today celebrated the successful conclusion of the 2025 Bursary Exhibition, a month-long showcase at The Art Room that drew significant local attention to the next generation of creative talent in Warwickshire.
Running throughout January, the exhibition served as the grand finale for four local artists who spent the past year under the LSA’s prestigious bursary programme. The show featured a sophisticated blend of environmental science, commercial photography, and atmospheric painting, reflecting a year of intensive artistic development.
Hayley Burgess
Hayley is a Warwickshire-based hybrid printmaker whose practice delves into the role of traditional printmaking in the digital age. Historically, printmaking has been crucial for disseminating art and ideas through its unique technical artistry. Hayley challenges this duplication by deliberately creating non-identical patterns and unique mono-prints. Her focus remains on techniques chosen for their distinctiveness in line, tone, and texture, seamlessly blending traditional mediums like engraving and woodcut with modern approaches such as silk-screen and Mokulito (Japanese wood lithography).
Ricky Piggott
Ricky is a profoundly deaf local artist who communicates powerfully through his art. He works with a variety of media, with a particular love for pens. Some of his pieces combine abstract images, geometry, and optical illusions, while he also draws influence from comic book and pop art. Ricky has a deep appreciation for nature and often integrates natural imagery with surprising shapes and patterns in his work.
Evelina Placenta
Evelina is an emerging artist primarily focused on portraiture and acrylics, though she is always eager to experiment with new mediums and techniques. Her passion lies in capturing emotions through her art, and she is keen to explore all facets of artistic expression and embrace new creative challenges. Evelina hopes this journey will open doors to exhibiting her work and connecting with fellow art enthusiasts.
Logan Larkin Wong
Logan is a photographer based in Royal Leamington Spa, embarking on an exciting creative journey. His passion for photography ignited at an early age when he first experimented with a vintage Polaroid camera. The magic of capturing a moment and seeing it instantly appear in print fascinated him. This curiosity grew when he received a simple “snappy” camera, sparking a love for photography that has only intensified. Determined to improve, he saved for months to purchase his first DSLR—a camera he still uses today.
A Catalyst for Local Talent
“This exhibition was a testament to what can be achieved when local talent is given the resources to innovate,” said Mike Patrick of the LSA. “The 2025 bursary recipients didn’t just display art; they pushed technical boundaries and reflected the unique spirit of Leamington. We are incredibly proud of their growth over the last twelve months.”
The LSA Bursary programme continues to be a vital cornerstone of the Royal Leamington Spa art scene, providing funding and mentorship to artists at pivotal moments in their careers.
