Trena Cox will be honoured at Chester Cathedral from Monday, October 7, until Friday, November 8.
Her artwork, which decorates churches across Chester, the northwest, north Wales, and beyond, is well-known within stained glass and decorative arts circles.
However, her legacy has largely faded from public memory.
The exhibition, curated by artist Aleta Doran, will share the newly discovered story of Ms Cox’s impressive career in an accessible and engaging way.
It will feature commissioned art from local female artists and community groups, responding to her glass in a variety of mediums, displayed around the building.
Ms Cox’s artwork was commissioned and installed at Chester Cathedral in the 1920s as part of a reinvigoration project by Dean Bennett.
Chester Cathedral’s artist in residence and project lead for Trena Cox: Reflections 100, Aleta Doran, 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.”
Ms Doran’s research has raised the significance of the Cox windows, resulting in funding from the Couch Charitable Trust to conserve her St Christopher Window in Chester Cathedral’s Slype.
Chester Cathedral is one of 25 successful applicants to the UK Share Prosperity Fund, receiving £27,000 of funding for the exhibition and programme of activities.
Additional support has been received from councillor Simon Eardley, The Ursula Keys Trust, The Megan Gwynne-Jones Trust, and the Couch Charitable Trust.
Numerous activities and talks are planned as part of the project, including a Trena Cox Symposium on Friday, October 25, focusing on research into Trena Cox and the role of women in heritage skills in the northwest today.
For full details, visit chestercathedral.com.
