Young artists unveil benches / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, July 22, 2006

July 22, 2006

Jessica Miller, 15, painted a picture on a park bench of a hurricane blowing fiercely on the left side; the right side features a peaceful picture of a house.

"I think it has to do with life," said the Van Go Mobil Arts Inc. JAMS artist. "You can have the worst past, and then you can go into a bright future."

Miller and 19 other young artists, who participate in Jobs in the Arts Makes Sense after being identified as at-risk, all wrapped up a valuable experience on Friday.

The 20 JAMS artists unveiled the park benches they painted and sold to 20 Lawrence-area businesses. The students worked with Van Go staff members and met several times with their clients for Benchmark 2006, the annual program that pairs the arts program with businesses.

"It takes all of us and the kids working together to create this in an eight-week program," said Kathy Ledecker, the JAMS art director.

Miller painted her bench for Amarr Garage Doors, 3800 Greenway Circle. Like several other JAMS artists, she finished her project near the deadline.

As did Valeria Bobbs, 16, who painted a bench for the Lawrence Family Practice Center, 4951 W. 18th St.

Photo by Rachel Seymour

Kallie Doudna, left, unveils the finished project of her JAMS bench for the Lawrence Dazzlers with the help of a Lawrence Dazzler representative Friday at the Van Go Mobile Arts eighth annual Summer Benchmark project. The dancers on the front of the bench represent the dancing Dazzlers, Doudna said. More than 15 other benches were unveiled.

"It's harder than what you think because it takes more time," Bobbs said.

But she completed her artwork on time, and it ended up with many aspects that relate to the medical industry, including a giraffe with a stethoscope.

With a drum roll building the anticipation, Miller, Bobbs and the other JAMS artists pulled the covers off of their designs and park benches Friday evening for their clients, parents and friends.

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Charles Branson seemed impressed with the bench his office bought from JAMS artist Marcus Spats.

"Awesome, awesome," Branson said as he extended a handshake to Spats.

The new benches will now be placed in public places around Lawrence. By the end of the eighth annual Summer Benchmark Program, JAMS will have benches in 146 public locations.

As part of the program, the Community Mercantile Educational Foundation provides nutritious lunches and education to the artists.