Liliane Blom Art Studio
Art as a Catalyst for Community and Belonging
Public Art
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) is thrilled to announce the artists selected for the inaugural Montgomery County Artist Residency:
Alyscia Cunningham,
Jasmine Adams, and Liliane Blom!
Liliane Blom, Mid-County Artist-in-Residence, is creating a mural based on the stories, ideas and conversations Wheaton community members have shared with her throughout this year.
Now she's asking for your help selecting a final mural design!
Focus area Wheaton
This residency, supported by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, is a new initiative aimed at fostering civic dialogue and promoting community cohesion. As Susan Jenkins, CEO of AHCMC, beautifully put it: “Creativity is a vehicle for building healthier communities.”
Through a series of creative engagements, my goal is to collaborate with the Mid-County community to address local challenges. These challenges could range from economic development and housing to resilience and identity. Art will serve as the medium for these conversations, offering a safe and inclusive space for all voices to be heard.
For this residency, my focus area will be Wheaton, particularly its underserved communities. I’ve identified the Wheaton Mall South Building as a potential hub for engagement. This location houses several vital service organizations, such as MidCounty United Ministries, Proyecto Salud, MontgomeryWorks, the Latino Economic Development Corporation, the Division of Rehabilitation Services, and the Gilchrist Center.
Sofa Stories at Wheaton Mall South Building
I transformed the Wheaton South lobby into a welcoming, cozy living room space! From February to May, I listened as 350 people sat down, drank coffe, did crafts and shared their thoughts and stories. Such a diverse gathering, I had at least 45 different countries represented! I gathered their dreams for a mural to be painted right outside the door.
I met so many extraordinary people, and so many thoughtful ideas were shared in the cozy space created in an elevator lobby.
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If you would like to see some of the interesting stats and word clouds of the many ideas that were shared with Click Here
Community engagement is at the heart of this residency. I invited community members to dialogue sessions where they could voice their concerns and ideas. These sessions also included hands-on creative activities to inspire participation and ensure inclusivity.
As an artist, I specialize in creating installations and murals that are vibrant, interactive, and reflective of the community’s spirit. Whether it’s through painting, digital art, or immersive experiences, I aim to make art accessible and meaningful to all.
This project has several objectives:
To amplify diverse voices and develop a shared community identity.
To address pressing issues such as housing, economic development, and resilience through artistic dialogue.
And, most importantly, to foster cross-cultural connections and strengthen relationships between the community and the regional service centers.
By working together, I believe we can create not just art but a legacy of unity and shared purpose.
