Mayor Terry D'Arcy announced Friday that the controversial $197,000 'Dome of Unity' sculpture proposal will return to the Joliet City Council for a final vote next Tuesday, just two weeks after the project was withdrawn due to overwhelming community backlash. The public art installation, created by Chinese-born artist Sijia Chen, had been removed from consideration at the previous council meeting amid significant public opposition.
Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Joliet's director of communications, issued a press release Friday afternoon confirming the city's decision to bring the public art proposal back to the council floor. The project had been postponed at the request of Community Development Director Dustin Anderson to allow for additional discussion, a comprehensive staff presentation, and formal comments from the Joliet Arts Commission.
The sculpture is planned as a signature landmark piece for City Square, with city officials expecting it to attract visitors, boost local small businesses, and enhance community pride. "Public art stimulates economies, boosts tourism, and encourages people to spend time downtown which supports our small businesses and revitalization efforts," Mayor D'Arcy stated in the press release. He emphasized that "there is strong community interest in moving this project forward and by bringing it back, we can openly discuss its benefits and give residents a chance to be heard."
City Council members Pat Mudron and Suzanna Ibarra expressed their support for the renewed discussion in Friday's announcement. "I'm so glad we have the opportunity to discuss this so our residents will appreciate the significance of this artwork," said Councilwoman Ibarra. Councilman Mudron addressed concerns about municipal priorities, stating, "Infrastructure investments like roads, public safety, and water will always remain top priorities. But cultural investments like this don't compete with those priorities, they complement them."
The artist behind the controversial piece, Sijia Chen, was born in Shantou, China and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. According to her website, Chen is a multimedia artist recognized for her papercut collages and large-scale sculptures. Her artistic work explores complex themes including cultural identity, collective memory, and the impact of human displacement, skillfully blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic techniques.
Chen's artistic practice centers on social engagement, through which she collaborates directly with communities to create meaningful dialogue between personal narratives and shared histories. This community-focused approach aligns with the city's stated goals for the Dome of Unity project, though it remains to be seen whether Tuesday's council vote will result in final approval for the $197,000 installation.
