Phil Hettema of the Hettema Group Speaks at Eliot Arts

Phil Hettema, President and Creative Executive of The Hettema Group, will speak on February 20 at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy in Altadena. This is a visual presentation with a lecture in the historic Eliot Arts Auditorium. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. The event starts at 6:30. The title of his presentation is Creativity and Imagination: Creating Magic in the Real World.

Eliot Arts Principal Lori Touloumian said, “The value of having professional artists, designers, and architects engage in our school community by speaking to our students, staff, and parents is immeasurable. We are excited to have this opportunity.”

Mr. Hettema leads a world class team of experienced designers, architects, and media producers known for creating uniquely compelling guest experiences with great emotional resonance. Notable projects include One World Observatory at One World Trade Center; the High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ, Las Vegas; and Beyond All Boundaries at the National World War II Museum, New Orleans. Phil is a graduate of Eliot and Pasadena High School. He is an alumni of Art Center College of Design, instructed courses at the institution and endowed a scholarship for Environmental Design.

Jennifer Hall Lee, chair of the Eliot Arts Annual Fund, said “The Eliot auditorium was built to serve both the school and the community and I want to bring the community into the school.”

The list of speakers in the Eliot Speaker Series includes award-winning author and historian Michele Zack on March 19 and her talk is titled “Civil Rights in Pasadena: Historical Perspectives on PUSD Today.” On April 23 we have Denise Verret, CEO and Director of the Los Angeles Zoo, and her talk is called “Lean In to Lead.” Both Verret and Zack are John Muir High School alumni.

Lee noted that the choice of speakers for 2020 all had one thing in common: they all attended public schools in the Pasadena Unified School District.

The Eliot Arts Speaker Series tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Eliot is located at 2184 Lake Avenue in Altadena. The event is open to the public. Ample parking is on the street. Tickets can be purchased at the door or on Eventbrite.