Young artists in Lawrence arts organization Van Go will soon unveil 21 custom benches they designed and painted.
Van Go, which is also a social service and employment agency for youth, each summer carries out its Benchmark program for artists ages 14 to 18. Each Van Go Summer JAMS Apprentice Artist is paired with a client — a local business, individual or organization.
Benches are often commissioned to be located inside buildings or to honor loved ones. Artists work to incorporate concepts that represent their subjects.
The 2024 Van Go Benchmark ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Van Go, 715 New Jersey St. in East Lawrence. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be provided.
This year’s artists and their respective clients, according to Van Go, include:
• 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’Niell, 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.
Through the Benchmark program, Van Go has produced more than 400 benches, according to the organization’s website. They can be spotted all around Lawrence and Douglas County — and in locales outside of Kansas, including Seattle and North Carolina. Last year, apprentice artist Davon Davis created the first to be sent to a client outside of the United States.
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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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.
