This year, Hang12, a teen curatorial board, gave art accessibility and youth perspective to their art shows and other events. Throughout the year, the teens worked with emerging artists to put on shows and develop their art and business skills.

Senior Felipe Reina-Salas is Hang12’s social media coordinator and has seen the impact their accessible shows have on the viewers.

“Many people come in and see the show; you can just see the spark in their eyes,” Reina-Salas said. “You can see all of the great horizons be expanded.”

These shows don’t only bring art to the community, but also help emerging artists realize their art can make an impact. Lawrence High junior Opal Morris emphasized the impact Hang12 has on these young artists.

“As it [Hang12] gains popularity, I hope it makes teens interested in art aware of what they do can actually make an impact,” Morris said.

From setting up and organizing art shows to managing publicity, the Hang12 members have developed crucial life skills. Lawrence High senior Maya Smith said she wouldn’t have been able to learn like this in any other place. 

“It’s taught me a lot of stuff I wouldn’t learn in business or art classes,” Smith said. “I’ve learned through doing a real job with real artists.”

Originally, Hang12 was founded with the goal of organizing twelve are shows in a year. As it’s grown and developed, they’ve done less shows, focusing on quality instead of quantity, and worked doing other things, like producing designs merchandise.

“Each year Hang12 evolves and changes, creating goals outside of just gallery exhibitions,” Morris said.

Hang12 wrapped up their year collaborating with young artist Henry Farthing for a show at Lawrence Arts Center. As the new year approaches, so will new shows and more to make art accessible from Hang12.

“I hope we can continue to show that art is accessible to not only professional artists but also teenagers and young adults,” Smith said. “I never would have known how realistic this could be for me without Hang 12.”