International artist Sijia Chen presented the final design for Unity Dome to the Joliet Arts Commission on December 10, 2025. The sculpture will serve as a signature landmark in City Square, just steps from the historic Rialto Square Theatre. Installation remains on schedule, with completion expected in May 2026.

Following an extensive review process, the Joliet Arts Commission recommended Unity Dome as the selected sculpture. The 12-foot-tall, 19-foot-wide installation is designed to be functional, interactive, and community-driven, serving as a focal point within City Square. The selection process began in February 2024 with an international call for artists. Fifty proposals were received, narrowed to 14 semi-finalists for public voting, and nearly 3,000 community votes helped identify six finalists who presented their concepts to the Arts Commission. Unity Dome was ultimately recommended as the final design.

Unity Dome reflects months of collaboration with residents, students, and local institutions. Chen describes the sculpture as capturing “the rich and diverse history, culture, aspirations, and spirit of the Joliet community,” weaving together personal stories and shared themes of commerce, resourcefulness, natural beauty, and daily life. Her goal is to help create a City Square that inspires reflection, dialogue, and connection for all who visit.

In October 2025, Chen began an in-depth immersion into Joliet through extensive community outreach. Her site visits included neighborhood tours, Old Joliet Prison, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66, the Rialto Square Theatre, and numerous local businesses throughout the City Square district. She also engaged with students and residents through workshops and school visits at Keith Elementary, Timber Ridge Middle School, Joliet West High School, Joliet Central High School, and through public sessions at Hartman Recreation Center and Thigpen Elementary. Additional input came from residents who shared stories, ideas, and imagery through www.jolietunitydome.com from October 3–November 9.

Public feedback during this process informed visual elements within the sculpture, including natural resources such as limestone and the Des Plaines River; architectural icons like Old Joliet Prison, the Rialto Square Theatre, and the Jefferson Street Bridge; and cultural touchstones such as Route 66 and The Blues Brothers, to address themes on industry, commerce, family, identity, and community pride. These themes appear as intricate cutouts—such as a hammer, bridges, wheels, sunglasses, Route 66 sign, and a chair from the Rialto Theatre—integrated into the stainless-steel dome using traditional paper-cut techniques.

“Unity Dome will not only be an iconic piece of art, but also a reflection of Joliet’s identity, history, and future,” said Mayor Terry D’Arcy. “We are proud to work with the Arts Commission and Sijia Chen Studio to bring this vision to life in the heart of our downtown.”