Admired worldwide for his art, Keith Haring was also known throughout his career for his unparalleled dedication to young people, advocating for their health and rights while also supporting their creative development.

From befriending his young neighbors to playing dance music while painting to encourage kids to hang out and ask questions, Haring put his beliefs into practice from his first day in New York City. As his fame grew, he insisted on highlighting the artwork of local school children in a number of major commissions.

Haring also directly supported children’s causes and institutions, creating countless murals and sculptures for pediatric hospitals, daycares, churches, and community centers.

“Whatever else I am,” Haring once wrote, “I’m sure I, at least, have been a good companion to a lot of children and maybe have touched their lives in a way that will be passed on through time.”

We are proud to continue Haring’s work by featuring new artwork created by three local youth muralists within Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy, curated by the MOPOP Youth Advisory Board.

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Scattered Thoughts, 2024.

Yuran He is a junior at the Downtown School in Seattle, Washington. A lifelong artist, she enjoys all mediums and has pursued knowledge in a variety of fields ranging from sculpture to animation to interior design. Drawing inspiration from her heritage as a child of Chinese immigrants and the beauty in the people around her, Yuran is currently focusing on oil paintings and digital art exploring bright colors and people expressing themselves.

Discover more artwork from Yuran on Instagram:  @scout_hello

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Passing Through Legacy, 2024.

Maya Park-Weber is a young artist from Kirkland, WA. For the past few years, she has experimented with watercolor, acrylics, and digital painting, using bright colors and storytelling to create an emotional connection between her audience and her work through narrative visuals. Also serving as a Youth Commissioner on the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission, a volunteer group dedicated to bringing art to the public, Maya is inspired by the stories behind everyday actions—such as cleaning and cooking—that may seem mundane but are in fact the underappreciated foundation of family and society.

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Keith’s Community, 2024.

Twenty year old artist Abby Heustess' recent work focuses on realism and designing posters for concerts, local events, and concept art. Being self-taught with the exception of an illustration course their senior year of high school, Abby is now attending Cornish College of The Arts to earn her BFA in Design while also taking Illustration courses. The pieces she creates all have different meanings, depending on the subject matter, and range from being abstract, realistic, to even being political at times. Abby offers the viewers the opportunity to explore their own perceptions and reactions when viewing her work.

Discover more artwork from Abby on Instagram: @abbyheustess

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With just one month remaining, don’t miss your chance to explore the vibrant world of Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy before it closes on March 23rd, 2025. Marking Seattle’s first solo exhibition of Haring’s iconic work, it features over 240 artworks and objects that capture his life, work, and activism throughout the years. Reserve your tickets today!

Find out more about Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy + follow MOPOP for the latest news and behind-the-scenes content on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok,  and YouTube.

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