Wolverhampton
Northwest of Birmingham, Wolverhampton made its 18th century industrial name from creative industries including steel jewellery, enamel and 'japanned' lacquer work on metal, papier-mache etc. Wolverhampton companies including Chubb also specialised in painted ornate cast iron safes, now prized in the antiques world.
The School of Practical Art was attended by artists and sculptors and the Wolverhampton Art Gallery is the place to see collections including jappaned ware, enamels, dolls and toys, oil paintings and maps. Also to visit are the Creative Industries Quarter off Broad Street and the Slade Rooms' Light House Media art house cinema and Arena Theatre.