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Pasadena, CA

The Dome: An Art Installation of Hope and Resilience

Grant Amount

$17,849

Year Awarded

2025-2026

Project Coordinator

Liane Shih

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

United Teachers of Pasadena

Focus Area

Arts, Media, and Culture

About the Project

This project invites students to explore the meaning of home and community in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, which displaced over two-thirds of the student body and disrupted their sense of safety and belonging. Through poetry, art, and storytelling, students will reflect on shared experiences and imagine a hopeful future for Altadena. The project culminates in the creation of a 16-foot geodesic dome, symbolizing protection, healing, and unity, adorned with student-made artwork in wood, fabric, glass, and ceramics. A permanent mural will also be installed on campus, honoring Altadena’s legacy as an inclusive, diverse, and resilient community. Together, these installations will serve as powerful symbols of restoration, identity, and collective vision.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Liane Shih

I am an art and design teacher for grades 6-12. I have 8 years of Teaching Artist experience in the Pasadena Unified School District, and have been the Resident Artist for our annual district-wide celebration of Women's History since its inception in 2018. My heart is in Pasadena, as I also received my BFA in Illustration at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and I feel called to advocate and use the power of art to help heal a community I love and care about. I believe in the transformative impact of teaching and hope that my students learn that with design, they can change the world to make it a better place for all.

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