Marshall begins inaugural National Art Honor Society campaign with ambitious art installation project, 16-foot dome symbolizing home

By: Ishbel Tyler

The National Art Honor Society has established a new chapter at Thurgood Marshall Secondary School. 

The organization is committed to “providing opportunities for leadership, peer recognition, college and career preparation, community engagement, and more—helping to promote the value of art education within schools and communities.” 

Interested students had the opportunity to sign up for the club at club rush earlier this year. 

Advisor Liane Shih formulated the idea last year.

“I decided to start a chapter of NAHS because I noticed we have a lot of talented and creative students at Marshall who don’t have room in their schedules to take an art class, so this [NAHS] provides them a way to showcase their talent, gain leadership experience, as well as provide opportunities to do good in our community,” Shih said. 

She believes that art has the power to change the world for the better and hopes that the club will allow students to express themselves. 

This year, the club, along with teachers Bethel Lira, Erika Moore, and Luis Rendon and their classes, will create a 16-foot dome on campus covered in student art to represent the meaning of home. 

The installation, formally titled, “The Dome: An Art Installation of Hope and Resilience,” comes after the Eaton Fire’s destruction of many students’ homes and the Altadena community as a whole. 

Club members will also participate in making gifts and care packages for Eaton Fire victims for the holiday season. 

President Diana Kasabian expressed excitement for the coming year.  “We have a lot of fun events planned for this year, and I am looking forward to a lot of them. The dome is definitely going to be cool, and I can’t wait to see it built,” Kasabian said.