To mark the arrival of San Stae’s new base in Leamington Spa, we were delighted to present Solstice, an exhibition of international artists’ work co-curated with The Finch Project.

Opening on Saturday 21 June, the exhibition explored the solstice as a moment of pause, reflection, and renewal. Works by Greg Wood (Australia), Sophie Kitching (UK/France), Heather Chontos (US/Portugal), Sabine Finkenauer (Spain), and Trevor Mein (Australia) were brought together to offer diverse cultural perspectives on this fleeting but powerful moment of the year.

Set within the remarkable Smallpeice House, a Grade-II listed Regency villa, the exhibition was conceived as both a celebration of art and a gentle introduction to San Stae and our creative practice. The house, with its tall windows, period detailing and sense of quiet grandeur, provided a fitting backdrop for international works that spoke of light, rhythm, and reflection.

The exhibition unfolded across the Artists’ Lounge, conservatory and our own design office. Each space revealed a different layer of the experience: the light-filled conservatory drawing out the seasonality of the works, the Artists’ Lounge offering intimacy and stillness, and our design office providing an insight into San Stae’s approach to interiors. Here, alongside the exhibition, we shared some of our recent projects and the principles that guide our practice - craftsmanship, heritage and a contemporary sensibility rooted in longevity.

Solstice was both an exhibition and a statement of intent - a way of opening the doors to our new home while setting the tone for what San Stae will continue to cultivate in Leamington Spa - a dialogue between art, architecture, and design.