For this year’s Adornment show, the apprentice artists of Van Go have created artwork with the guiding theme of “A Seat at the Table.”
It’s inspired by Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in the United States Congress, and her famous quote: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
“The Arts Train youth have each thoughtfully designed a chair representing their ‘Seat at the Table,'” according to a news release from Van Go, the Lawrence arts-based social service agency that provides programs for high-needs and underserved youth. “In addition to the chairs, this Adornment Show is focused on tableware for use as you gather with old friends and invite new ones to your table.”
Some of the wide range of items featured in the online store include plates, serving dishes, coasters, keychains, necklaces and more.
The Arts Train Apprentice Artist Jacob Kennedy, 21, said of the theme of his chair that space represents freedom and endless opportunity.
“You have the ability to find yourself without outside influence or being silenced. People are often being forced to think a certain way, deliberate or not,” Kennedy said in the release. “This stops people’s creativity and their own way of thinking and that is unacceptable. For example, if someone is protesting or portraying a certain way of thinking, there will always be someone standing in their way to silence them.
“It is important for my chair to be at the table because it represents the idea of free thinking and the ability to be yourself,” he said.
The community opening is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28 at Van Go, 715 New Jersey St. See more hours for Adornment on the Times’ events calendar and via the Facebook event page.
Adornment is free and open to the public. Item prices start at $3. This year’s event is sponsored by Evergy and Tequa Creek.
“Support local makers this holiday season – no shipping delays here!” the news release states.
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