During my term as Artist in Residence, I noticed the work of stained glass artist Trena Cox in the cloister of Chester Cathedral. I loved the jewel-like colours and intriguing painted details in the windows and was curious to know more about the artist who made them. When I discovered they were made by a local woman I was keen to find out more. From 2021-2023 I visited every known surviving example of Cox’s work and began conducting archival research.

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A funding award of £25,000 from the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund in 2024 enabled me to curate two exhibitions: Trena Cox: Reflections 100 at Chester Cathedral (2024) and Illuminated: Trena Cox in Chester at the Grosvenor Museum (2025). Both exhibitions included family activities and community outreach. Local groups supporting women at various stages of their lives produced artistic responses to Cox’s stained glass, many of which were included in the exhibitions. Contemporary women craftworkers and conservators also made important contributions to the exhibitions. Funding for an audio guide and BSL interpreters enhanced accessibility and I gave free public talks at the Chester Heritage Festival, University of Chester Festival of Ideas and Heritage Open Days to generate local interest in the project. As interest grew, a further donation funded vital conservation work on Trena Cox’s St Christopher window in the slype of Chester Cathedral prior to the opening of the exhibition.

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During this project my research has been enriched by taking part in organised study tours led by expert speakers. These valuable experiences have been offered by the BSMGP (Surrey 2023, Winchester and Hampshire 2025) and the The Stained Glass Museum (Dublin 2024, Leicestershire 2025, York 2026). I have also attended excellent conferences offered by the ICON Stained Glass Group and other organisations. My understanding of stained glass techniques and materials has been enhanced through conversations with artists and conservators and through visits to the studios of Recclesia Stained Glass and Barley Studio. ​ Memorable independent research trips have included Canterbury, Glasgow and Paris.

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In 2026 I successfully completed a Master by Research degree at the University of Chester. My dissertation examines the early career of Trena Cox.

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In short, this project has been a huge adventure!

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Aleta Doran, Emerita Artist in Residence at Chester Cathedral.
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Learn more about The Trena Cox Project
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Above: St Michael, east window of St Michael, Shotwick. By Trena Cox, 1938

Below: Images from the exhibition Trena Cox: Reflections 100
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