The young apprentice artists of Van Go have created 20 new benches for clients all over town, and they’re preparing to unveil them at their upcoming Benchmark event.
Van Go is a nonprofit social service and employment agency for Douglas County youth. The Benchmark program at Van Go is held each summer for ages 14 to 18. It pairs young people with a client — a business, individual or organization — to create and customize benches that double as works of art.
To date, Van Go artists have created more than 400 benches, according to the organization’s website.
For this year’s Benchmark unveiling, doors will open at 5:15 and the program will start at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 at Van Go, 715 New Jersey St.
The hosts advise allowing ample time to find parking, available at Van Go, in the public lot to the east across New Jersey Street, at Kennedy Glass to the southeast, and along New York and New Jersey streets.
“As this is an indoor event and will be very well attended, we ask that the event remain pet and animal free. Service animals are welcome,” according to an email from organizers.
Here’s the full list of the artists and their commissions, as provided by Van Go:
See last year’s creations in this article.
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Connor Sutton/Contributed photo
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
