100 Masters: The Black Country's finest talent revealed
The wait to find out who are the 100 most talented and skilled masters from the Black Country is over - at least for some.
Creative Black Country, which set out to identify the 100 Masters, has begun to release the names of those who made the list.
In recent months members of the public have been nominating people they know who are 'brilliant at what they do'.
The year-long regional campaign aimed to inspire and offer local people a fresh perspective about the strengths, skills, talent and expertise surfacing from their locality and community.
Hundreds of nominations from across the region were submitted for the June 30 deadline and now the 100 Masters list has been compiled.
Scroll through to learn more about each master:
The list of Masters range from award-winning authors, sought-after designers, green-fingered gardeners, globe-trotting art directors, engineers, athletes, crafts people, entrepreneurs, brewers, dancers, artists, poets and community ambassadors, with plenty in-between, all representing extraordinary present-day talent from the Black Country.
The shortlisted Masters were chosen via a panel selection process and come from a breadth of backgrounds, ages and areas of the region.
The diversity of talent to come from Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley, areas of the Black Country which built it’s name during the industrial revolution, soon became apparent.
“The Black Country was forged at the hands of men and women from all walks of life who honed their skills to the highest levels.
"It was through their craftsmanship and diligence that the region became renowned as the industrial heartland of the UK, and while we successfully recognise our great industrial heritage, we believe it is time to represent the present-day masters who have been making tremendous strides.”
Comments Project Coordinator Liam Smyth from the Arts Council England funded group Creative Black Country.
“The final 100 Masters showcase the wealth of talent that our area has to offer. From names you will most certainly recognise to many that you won’t, but whose skills are of equal value, we are very excited to share our Masters with you.”
Each day until November a Master is being released via the 100 Masters website - with all 100 to feature in an Express & Star publication later in the year.
The public will get the chance to get up close to some of the Masters who be appearing at a special Expo on Saturday November 25 at Starworks in Wolverhampton.
The event will include a ‘Masters Market’, showcasing some of their innovative works, alongside Masters workshops, a specially curated food market and family events throughout the day.
A master was described as 'a noteworthy person who has forged their own path and displayed outstanding ability that has influenced others in their field.
A master can be from any walk of life and there are no restrictions in specialism but they must have either been born, educated, lived or worked in the Black Country for a significant period of time.'
Liam said: "We successfully recognise the great industrial heritage of the region and repeatedly celebrate historic achievements through education, publications, heritage projects, and journalism. Whilst it is important to commemorate the past, we believe that people in the present-day who have been making tremendous strides have been underrepresented."
