The Lawrence Art Center's Hang12 program, a group of high school students who curate art shows and events, unveiled 32 new pieces of art in the New Hampshire Street parking garage in Lawrence, Kansas. The artworks, designed by Lawrence High School juniors Wren Jay and Rilo Scholz, celebrate native Kansas plants and animals and were collectively painted and assembled by Hang12 members. A ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from multidisciplinary artist Mona Cliff, who completed a mural in the same garage in 2025, and a tour of the new works.
This project matters because it highlights how youth-led public art initiatives can foster community engagement and integrate young people into the professional art world. By transforming a utilitarian parking garage into a vibrant gallery, Hang12 demonstrates the power of collaborative, locally focused art to strengthen civic pride and provide hands-on experience for emerging artists. The expansion from an initial 16 pieces to over 30 underscores the growing ambition and impact of such programs.