Kerry James Marshall Commissioned for Racial-Justice Stained-Glass Windows at Washington National Cathedral
The Facts
Kerry James Marshall has been commissioned by the Washington National Cathedral to create stained-glass windows replacing those featuring Confederate iconography, which were removed in 2017. This marks Marshall’s first work in stained glass and his first permanent public exhibition in the United States. The new windows are on permanent view and respond to the Cathedral’s call for designs that capture "both darkness and light, both the pain of yesterday and the promise of tomorrow," reflecting the African American struggle for justice.
The Signal
The commission signals a major institutional reckoning at one of the nation’s most prominent religious landmarks, turning a removal of divisive symbols into a high-profile artistic statement. For collectors and curators, this project elevates Marshall’s already formidable market presence into the realm of public monumental art, a rare and significant career milestone. The choice of stained glass—a medium Marshall has never used—suggests the cathedral is betting on his ability to translate his signature figurative style into a new form, potentially catalyzing further public commissions for the artist.
- Artists: Kerry James Marshall
- People: Kerry James Marshall
- Locations: Washington, D.C.
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