Her work adorns churches across the north-west, yet her name is little known in the public realm – until now.
Chester Cathedral shines spotlight on little-known stained glass artist, Trena Cox
This week Chester Cathedral has unveiled an exhibition and programme of activities celebrating the life of Trena Cox, a twentieth-century woman stained-glass artist from Chester.
The exhibition has been curated by the cathedral’s Artist In Residence, Aleta Doran and tells the newly researched story of Trena Cox’s career with commissioned art from local woman artists and community groups who were invited to respond to her glass in a variety of mediums that are now displayed around the building.
Trena Cox’s artwork was commissioned and installed at Chester Cathedral in the 1920s as part of a daring reinvigoration project undertaken by the then Dean Bennett as part of his efforts to make the Cathedral ‘open and free’ to all people.
And now she can be appreciated by today’s audience through this exhibition and its accompanying workshops, activities, and events.
Aleta said:
“Trena Cox made a huge contribution to this area through her vibrant stained glass and as an advocate for the preservation of Chester’s heritage.
“Her story is part of the story of Chester, the city in which she lived and worked for over fifty years.
“Chester Cathedral played a key role in the development of Trena Cox’s extraordinary career, so it is exciting to be able to hold the exhibition and other events here.”
The exhibition is the result of a partnership between Chester Cathedral, the Grosvenor Museum, University of Chester, The Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park, and Recclesia Stained Glass. It has resulted in funding from the Couch Charitable Trust to undertake conservation work on Cox’s St Christopher Window in Chester Cathedral’s Slype, one of the most important windows in Cox’s early career.
This conservation work has been undertaken by Recclesia Stained Glass.
Activities and talks are planned as part of the project, including a Pay What You Can symposium on 25 October that explores the Trena Cox story and her legacy.
For full details of the exhibition and its associated programme of activities, visit chestercathedral.com
Chester Cathedral is one of twenty-five successful applicants to the UK Share Prosperity Fund – receiving £27,000 of funding for the exhibition and programme of activities. Additional funding to support the project has been graciously received from Councillor Simon Eardley, The Ursula Keys Trust, The Megan Gwynne-Jones Trust, and the Couch Charitable Trust.
