Timber Ridge Middle School sixth-grade art students are helping inspire public art coming to downtown Joliet.
Joliet city officials approved the installation of the “Dome of Unity” permanent art piece created by Los Angeles artist Sijia Chen. The 19-foot-wide structure will be placed in the under-construction downtown Joliet City Square near the Rialto Square Theatre.
Timber Ridge students participated in a hands-on papercut art workshop led by Chen on October 16, 2025, as part of the community engagement phase of the project.
The workshop is designed to inspire creativity, cultural connection, and civic pride - allowing students to directly influence what the “Dome of Unity” will look like.
The structure will feature light-filtering paper-cut-style patterns. It is scheduled to be unveiled in May 2026.
During the workshop with Chen, students learned about the history and cultural significance of traditional papercut art and how it shaped her vision for the Joliet artwork.
“Through this project, students and residents alike are helping shape a space that celebrates Joliet’s stories, dreams, and shared values,” said Chen.
They also tried their hand at papercutting inspired by their own experiences, and contributed ideas, images, and stories that may inspire the final design of the “Dome of Unity.”
“This is a unique opportunity for our students to see how art connects people and communities,” said Lindsey Bandy, Assistant Principal at Timber Ridge Middle School. “They aren’t just learning about art - they’re helping to create something lasting that represents unity, identity, and the diverse spirit of Joliet.”
Chen also visited other Joliet schools and hosted a community workshop about her art and the local project.
