Twenty-one unique benches created by young Lawrence artists are on their way out into the world following the unveiling Friday at Van Go.
Each year, Van Go Summer JAMS apprentice artists are each paired with a client — a local business, individual or organization.
Van Go Executive Director Lori McSorley, who joined the nonprofit in April, thanked the clients for giving each young artist valuable experience that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Each teen artist had only about eight days between meeting their clients for the first time and presenting preliminary designs, sketches and full-size blueprints for a second client meeting, Rick Wright, art director, told the crowd.
The teens spent the remainder of the eight weeks of the summer session putting their benches together, getting them sanded and primed, and executing their designs in time to be ready for the big unveil on Friday.
Two young artists and team leaders spoke to the crowd of about 100 people Friday evening.
“Every time I get on the bench and I start working, I always get nervous about if I’m gonna do a good enough job,” artist Eden Faust told the crowd. “So I always get my job done, and I do it well, and I always love it in the end.”
Faust said the Benchmark process is always emotional and stressful, but it always ends up “happy and welcoming.”
Barack Bennett-Robinson said he’s learned a lot about himself throughout his time at Van Go. He said as a team leader, he’s learned to lead based on the people around him and on who he’s working with.
McSorley presented several of the young artists with certificates to recognize their perfect attendance or perfect punctuality.
Here’s the complete list of artists and their clients, according to Van Go’s website:
• Keira Albin, Suites on Mass;
• Barack Bennett-Robinson, Lawrence Kansas Police Department;
• Casey “CB” Brown; Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry;
• Max Fuentes-Sebanc, Doulas of Douglas County, sponsored by Bev Wilson;
• Eden Faust, Lawrence Jewish Community Center, in memory of Sommer Taylor;
• Langley Gottesburen, Jess and Nancy Hambleton;
• Arie Hiesberger, Halcyon House, in memory of Esther Wolfe;
• Gavin Monse, Kansas City Autism Training Center, sponsored by Becki and Gary Dick;
• Thialand Morris-Tucker, Central National Bank, in memory of James K Van Slyke II;
• Kamilla Ochoa, Ken and Annette Wertzberger;
• Ro O’Learly, in memory of Thomas Berry;
• Conner O’Neill, Buildex;
• Stevie Pfeifer, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services;
• Alex Quick, Cheryl Troxel and Michael Heasty;
• Simn Robinson, Van Go;
• Ariel Sellars, Lawrence Community Nursery School, in memory of Maggie Carttar;
• Anamaria Taylor, Little Eagles Child Care, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Commerce;
• Mae Taylor, Susan and Michael Brinker;
• Nathan Townley, Meadowlark Estates, in memory of Donald W. Vaughn;
• Ru Yother, Lawrence Arts Center, sponsored by Kay and Tom Carmody; and
• Jozzie Zablow-Moloney, Audio Reader / Kansas Public Radio, sponsored by Bev Wilson.
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Lane Rozin (he/they), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since January 2024, is a student at the University of Kansas Schools of Journalism and Film. He is a graduate of Pittsburg High School, where he was the multimedia editor for Pitt Media in 2019-21. He is currently the managing editor at the University Daily Kansan and development director at KJHK. See more of his work for the Times here.
Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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