Local briefs

Arts

JAMS plans unveiling of teen artists’ benches

Decorated benches from Van Go artists will go on display in August.

Van Go Mobile Arts’ Jobs in the Arts Make Sense program will unveil its Summer Benchmark 2003 project at 5 p.m. Friday at the Van Go headquarters, 715 N.J.

Teen JAMS participants decorated the benches. Youths were matched with local businesses, community organizations and private donors. The youths became apprentice artists and consulted with clients to develop a design for their bench.

The project also emphasizes job applications, resumes and interviewing strategies for the artists.

The benches will be on display from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 28 through Aug. 15 in front of Van Go. The benches then will be given to the clients for placement in a public location.

To sign up for Summer Benchmark 2004, contact Van Go at 842-3797.

Recreation

Children’s program offers lesson on city’s history

Watkins Community Museum of History is offering Lawrence children a chance to learn more about the founding of their city.

The museum will have a children’s program with information on the city’s beginnings from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 at the museum, 1047 Mass.

Children will learn about the available economic, social, political and natural resources that affected city development from 1854 to the end of the 19th century.

Using this information, participants will then create their own Lawrence with businesses, factories, residential and service sectors. The children’s projects will be compared to actual city maps of Lawrence from the late 19th century.

The class is limited to 15 participants, ages 8 to 12. Call 841-4109 to reserve a place.