2021 Year in Review

2021 was an unusual year, to say the least! Despite the extreme difficulties we all faced from the Covid pandemic, our gallery business remained very active and growing.

We were closed due to the nationwide lockdown from January through early April, so during this time—as most people did—we focused our efforts on online and virtual activities. We hosted virtual events, gave online presentations and created a virtual tour of the gallery using funds provided through a grant from the Warwick District Council.

Once we were able to open the shop again, Photiq remained a hive of activity through the remainder of 2021. Below is a summary of highlights:

apc21-social-image-cooper-a-300x158.jpg

Art of Photography Conference
On 17th April we held a 12-hour online event featuring 16 professional photographers, each giving special presentations covering their unique approach to photography. Each session also had a live Q&A at the end so attendees could chat directly with the presenters. The Conference was attended by over 250 people, and for a month afterward, all attendees were able to watch recordings of the sessions.


photowalk-2021-08-11-IMG_9094-300x212.jpg

Summer Photowalks
Throughout the summer we hosted a series of free photowalks around Leamington Spa.

Led by our gallery Director Nat Coalson, small groups explored the city centre making photographs and learning a range of techniques.


Leamington PhotoFest
Also in the summer, we opened entries for our community-focused competition and exhibition. Participants made photographs of Leamington and the surrounding Warwick District. Entries closed in early October, when the images were scored by a panel of respected judges from the local area.

Leamington PhotoFest 2021

Fifty images were selected for a free, public photo exhibition at the gallery, which we printed in-house. The exhibition ran all through November, during which we held a public vote for the People’s Choice Award. The prints received over 225 votes! Along with the winner of the People’s Choice Award, we also gave awards for 1st and 2nd Place and Highly Commended for adults and under-16 categories.

Learn more and see the winning images here


ruth-coalson-andrew-kerr-photo-london-IMG_9215-300x225.jpeg

Photo London
In September Gallery Photiq exhibited in a stand at this year’s Photo London event, held at Somerset House.

We represented the photographic work of three of our resident photographers: Nat Coalson, Ron Cooper and Andrew Kerr. The event was well attended with brisk sales, and the response to our stand was fantastic!

(Photo shows photographer Andrew Kerr and Photiq co-owner/manager Ruth Coalson.)


dza-printing-cooper-celebrating-humanity-300x225.jpeg

Fine art photography book
Photiq is now officially a publisher of fine art photo books! This year we published Celebrating Humanity: Faces from Five Continents featuring the exceptional portrait photography of USA-based photographer Ron Cooper.

Our gallery Director Nat Coalson travelled to Germany to oversee the printing (photo at right).

You can purchase copies at the gallery for £75 each.

Click here to learn more about the book


metal-prints-IMG_9034-300x217.jpg

New metal print production
In 2021 we installed a new system to upgrade our printing capabilities. We can now produce high quality photo prints mounted directly to aluminium di-bond!

Photiq is one of the first providers in the country to offer the new PermaLux metal print solution from Warwickshire-based PermaJet.


Matthew Sugars Exhibition
We are pleased and proud to exhibit a new collection of beautiful landscape photography by Kenilworth-based photographer Matthew Sugars.

The collection features large format prints in black-and-white and colour, all nicely framed and ready to hang in your home!

The exhibition opened 2nd December and will continue throughout the week after we re-open 4th January … be sure to come into the gallery before it finishes!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year!

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.