After Palisades fires, Crayon Collection turns student art into banners of hope and donates thousands of art supplies

Councilmember Park presented Crayon Collection co-founders Sheila and Sofia Moravati and partner schools on Nov. 7 for the organization’s Banners of Hope initiative in Pacific Palisades.

The project invited students from 11 schools affected by the January Palisades fires to create a single work of art and three words of hope. These student works were reproduced on light-pole banners lining Sunset Boulevard in the village and in sections toward Pacific Coast Highway. Organizers said the installation is intended as a public healing project that publicly displays children’s creative responses to the disaster.

Crayon Collection leaders said they also donated thousands of pounds of brand-new art supplies to participating schools and launched free arts programming to support students experiencing trauma. Sofia Moravati said the initiative is intended to give students “a sense of pride” and to help the community heal; Sheila Moravati described building the project from a small restaurant-crayon rescue effort into a larger arts-and-sustainability nonprofit.

Why it matters: The Banners of Hope project uses public art and classroom resources to support young people in a community recovering from wildfire. Organizers say art education helps students process trauma and fosters community cohesion.

What the Council did: Councilmember Park formally recognized the Crayon Collection and participating schools during a Council presentation; the action was ceremonial and included a video and remarks from students and organizers.

Who spoke: Councilmember Park; Sofia and Sheila Moravati (Crayon Collection); participating teachers and students.