IN VEGAS, SIZE MATTERS!
12 Inches of Sin, an international juried art exhibition, was born at Sin City Gallery’s intimate venue in 2010. Due to the gallery’s modest space, curator Dr. Laura Henkel imposed a unique challenge: artworks could not exceed 12 inches in any dimension. This restriction allowed the gallery to showcase as many pieces as possible while inspiring artists to innovate within the confines of a small format.
The exhibition’s provocative name emerged from combining the size limitation with the gallery’s name, inadvertently opening Pandora’s box. Erotic art submissions poured in from around the globe, sparking an international conversation about sexuality and creativity through contemporary art.
From its inception, 12 Inches of Sin flourished, eventually attracting submissions from artists in 27 countries. Select artists were invited to participate in a group exhibition at Sin City Gallery in Las Vegas, with the Best in Show honoree awarded a solo exhibition. The event became a magnet for international artists and patrons, transforming the gallery into a hub of vibrant cultural exchange. To enhance this experience, Sin City Gallery introduced immersive art events that deepened engagement and brought the exhibition to life.
In 2017, Sin City Gallery closed its physical location at The Arts Factory in the Las Vegas Arts District to explore bold new programming concepts. Later that year, the gallery produced its largest immersive art experience at New Orleans Square in the historic Commercial Center, transforming a sprawling 72,000-square-foot commercial complex into a multi-sensory wonderland of art installations, performances, and site-specific galleries. This ambitious project, which included contributions from local, national, and international artists, was met with widespread acclaim. Its success led to an encore event in 2018, further solidifying 12 Inches of Sin as a groundbreaking force in the art world.
In 2019, Sin City Gallery and 12 Inches of Sin took a planned hiatus to develop new resources for artists. Although a swift return was anticipated, the unforeseen challenges of COVID-19 caused delays. Looking ahead, we are planning to return to a brick-and-mortar location one day. For now, we are thrilled to relaunch 12 Inches of Sin, make it better than ever, build upon its existing reputation, and embrace the exciting possibilities that the future holds.
With its bold legacy of championing provocative, boundary-pushing art, 12 Inches of Sin continues to stand as an emblem of creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. In 2025, the much-anticipated eighth iteration of 12 Inches of Sin returns, reaffirming its position as a premier global platform for contemporary art with expanded programming, fresh initiatives, and a continued mission to support and celebrate artists from around the world.