As we begin the new year, artists from in and around Kenilworth are coming together to put on a free display in the town to help keep the community spirit of the last year alive

Organised with the help of Nicola Bagga, 16 local artists will be displaying their work in the empty 'Poundland' unit on Warwick Road from Wednesday, January 6, for the rest of the month to bring some colour to Kenilworth.

Much of the artwork will be available for purchase also, to help support each artist.

The idea for the exhibition was first brainstormed in September last year after a post in the social media group 'Kenilworth Vibes' looking for a local artist to paint a photograph of the castle gained some traction.

Since then an expose of local work has been in the planning, originally to be held in the Old Bakery on the High Street at the beginning of December.

However, for obvious reasons plans had to be changed to ensure that the event could be accessible to as many people as possible.

With help from Rebecca Webb at Kenilworth Arts Festival and Kenilworth Town Council it was arranged for the empty unit to be used to host an exhibition for all to enjoy.

Interior designer Nicola turned to drawing and painting during the first lockdown as a means of expressing her creativity as well as for her own personal comfort.

"Art can be a powerful source of inspiration and motivation," she says "throughout lockdown and sharing my artwork online I have come to know many other local artists, all of which have been faced with similar circumstances to myself and art has been their comfort also."

From here, the idea of the exhibition continued to gain momentum.

"We have a community of very talented people who have really pulled together over the last year to lift everyone's spirits, share their work and make friends.

"I thought an exhibition of our towns most beloved architectural icon from a photo taken in the middle of the pandemic would be the perfect way to showcase the towns talent and show the community how proud we are of everyone in it."

For the January event, each artist was given a copy of the original photo and told to keep their work smaller than A2, but aside from that to use their own creativity and style to interpret the scene however they liked.

One of the recurring themes that we have seen from the town in the past twelve months is the community coming together, helping one another, as well as appreciating everything that Kenilworth has to offer.

Local artists have demonstrated this as much as anybody.

"I have never felt more in touch with my community as I have throughout this last year.

"Some of that comes from working with local Kenilworth businesses on their interior design, but a great majority has come from the local art community and the way the general public have gone out of their way to shop small, support local businesses and creatives and take a step towards more personal independent choices when it comes to where, what and who they buy from."

So if you are looking for some inspiration for the start of 2021, or just want to see the work of those around you, keep your eyes peeled as you walk down the Warwick Road this January.

The full list of artists who have contributed can be seen below:

- Nicky Bagga 'Summer Solace in Kenilworth'

- Amy Rodger 'Castle on the Hill'

- Dee Luntley 'Early Morning at Kenilworth Castle'

- Diane Shores 'Over the Castle on the Hill'

- John Foley 'Kenilworth Castle Early Morning'

- Kevin Alexander 'The Castle'

- Laima Rullis 'Golden Hour at Kenilworth Castle'

- Leanne Simmons 'Yellow Meadows at Kenilworth Castle'

- Louise Hutton 'Kenilworth Castle in Bloom'

- Natalie Thurman 'Return to Kenilworth'

- Paul Miller 'Sunny Days in Kenilworth'

- Sue Cable '900 Years of History'

- Tina Watkins 'Memories of Kenilworth'

- Jay Cartwright 'Castle on the Hill'

- Paula Perry

- Carol Blunt 'Summer Sunset at the Castle'