The Akron Art Museum is presenting "Transfiguration: Rachel Libeskind and the Tiffany Window," an exhibition centered on a 137-square-foot stained glass window crafted by Frederick Wilson of Tiffany Studios in 1917. The window, originally installed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, was rescued after a 2018 fire destroyed the church. Developer Tony Troppe purchased the property in 2022, and Whitney Stained Glass Studio restored the panels. New York-based artist Rachel Libeskind created accompanying works that reframe the window as art rather than a devotional object, with the show running through July 5.
This exhibition matters because it demonstrates how sacred artifacts can be recontextualized within a secular art museum, sparking dialogue about preservation, artistic reinterpretation, and the boundaries between religious iconography and contemporary art. It also highlights the role of community-driven preservation efforts and the collaboration between developers, restoration specialists, and artists to save cultural heritage after catastrophic loss.