A Lawrence-based youth arts program will unveil 20 unique benches created by local apprentice artists in honor of people and organizations.
Van Go, an arts-based program, social service and employment agency for youth, every summer carries out its Benchmark program. Van Go’s Summer JAMS Apprentice Artists ages 14-18 are paired with a commission client in the community — whether it be a business, individual or organization — to design and create a custom bench.
Community members are invited to come and witness this year’s 20 benches being unveiled during a ceremony.
Van Go’s iconic benches have been seen all around the Lawrence-Douglas County area — and in locales outside of Kansas, such as Seattle and North Carolina. To date, Van Go has produced more than 400 benches, according to its website.
Each Van Go apprentice artist worked with their respective clients to best represent the subject of their benches, many of which are in memory of community members who have died or in honor of various local efforts.
This year’s artists and their respective clients, according to Van Go, include:
• Barack Bennett-Robinson, Monarch Watch in memory of Sarah Schmidt;
• mya buie, Anne Schulman;
• Gus Cordova, Meadowlark Estates in memory of Alan Swarts;
• Davon Davies, Draiver;
• Oliver Elwell, Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research sponsored by Debbie Baker;
• Bridget Escobar, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence in memory of Betty Baron;
• Eden Faust, Static Hair Salon;
• Mariah Flanagan; Lumberyard Arts Center sponsored by Becki and Gary Dick;
• Duffy Hackney, in memory of Bobby Campillo;
• June Hackney, Community Children’s Center sponsored by Kay and Tom Carmody;
• Alex Mader, Martha Hodgesmith, in memory of John McElroy;
• Ro O’Leary, Rachel and Phill Rademacher;
• Cornelio Ortega-Perez, Hillcrest Elementary School in honor of Pinckney students;
• Stevie Pfeifer, Audio Reader sponsored by Bev Wilson;
• Ceci Podrebarac, DCCCA;
• Simn Robinson, Deerfield Elementary School in honor of Pinckney students;
• Ariel Sellers, in memory of Hailey Vincent;
• Nathan Townley, RPG (Restaurant Pub & Games);
• LeStat Wilson, in memory of the Zeh family; and
• Ru Yother, in memory of the loved ones of Steve and Marcia Riley.
Van Go’s Bench Unveiling Ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 28 at the Van Go parking lot, 715 New Jersey St. in East Lawrence. The event is free to attend and open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided.
Read about last year’s Benchmark unveiling and see photos in this article. Learn more about Van Go and its Benchmark program at van-go.org.
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Note: This post has been updated to reflect corrected information from Van Go.
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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