Picture Wolverhampton in the 1970s. Among the new faces arriving in the city was a young boy from Jamaica, Sylbert Bolton. Born in 1959, Sylbert came to Wolverhampton in 1970 to join his parents and begin a new chapter of life in Britain.
From an early age, his passion for art was clear. He went on to study Fine Art at the Polytechnic Wolverhampton, where his talent and determination broke barriers. In 1980, he graduated with a first-class degree in Fine Art – making history as the first Black student in the entire country to achieve this distinction.
But Sylbert did not stop there. He continued his studies, gaining a Master’s degree at Reading University, further refining his artistic voice and vision.
Then, on the 7th of August 1987, another milestone: Sylbert Bolton became the very first artist-in-residence at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. It was a pioneering moment – both for him personally and for the city’s cultural life. That same year, the Gallery staged a major exhibition of his work, bringing his art to a wide public audience and firmly placing his name in the city’s history.
Sylbert’s journey reflects not only personal achievement but also the growing recognition of Black creativity in Wolverhampton and Britain at large. His art, his presence, and his groundbreaking role as artist-in-residence remain a proud part of the city’s cultural heritage.
