The Mayor challenged photographers and artists to produce a piece that celebrated all things Black Country earlier this year.

​

The competition was part of the Black Country Festival which was forced to scale down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

​

Maren Lilley’s acrylic painting of life in the Black Country captured the Mayor’s attention over more than 100 entries. The painting depicts the canal system which was so important to the region during the industrial revolution, as well as iconic places such as the Red House Glass Cone and Dudley Castle.

​

Councillor David Stanley, Mayor of Dudley, said:

​

"The response to the competition was overwhelming – we really do have an enormous amount of talent in the borough. Choosing one was very difficult but Mrs Lilley’s painting really stood out to me. It managed to include so many iconic symbols of the Black Country and I am sure visitors will spend a long time looking at all of the different things to spot."

​

The new painting capturing the spirit of the Black Country will now hang in pride of place in Dudley Council House.

​

All of the entries, including the winning entry by Maren Lilley, can be seen here on YouTube:

​

​