Van Go Mobile Arts having moving sale / LJWorld.com

Archive for Friday, September 5, 2008

Van Go Mobile Arts is on the move. The arts-based social service agency is cleaning house in an effort to expand and reach more kids.

By Jesse Fray

September 5, 2008, 12:06 p.m. Updated September 5, 2008, 6:40 p.m.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Laura Williams, Lawrence, and her son Benjamin, 3, look through prints and other art items for sale Friday at a Van Go Mobile Arts Inc. garage sale. The arts-based social service agency that provides year-round after-school and summer job-training programs to high-need and under-served youth is transitioning into a new building as part of a renovation project.

It's commonly called "the new side."

Van Go Mobile Arts is moving into a warehouse attached to its current building at 715 N.J., which is being renovated.

"We've been anticipating moving into the space : for months," said Jim Lewis, a Van Go program director. "We're real excited to have new offices and a new large studio space for the kids that we hire."

The agency provides after-school and summer job-training programs to high-need and underserved youth. It's known for the colorful benches that businesses commission the young artists to create.

Van Go held a moving sale Friday to clear out old office desks, tables, office chairs, stackable chairs, art supplies and artwork, ahead of its initial move into the new space next week.

The arts-based social service agency said it has outgrown the space that it has used for about 10 years. Renovations to "the new side" will allow Van Go to expand its programming and to reach more students, Lewis said.

"We outgrew that space a long time ago," Lewis said. "It'll be a big relief for all of us to have a little elbow room."

The renovations, which will be completely finished in about six months, are being paid for in part by money raised through a capital campaign three years ago, though the costs will exceed the money the agency raised, said Lynne Green, founder and executive director of Van Go. The work is adding a computer lab, several offices and new storage rooms for the agency to use.

"We've had a lot of support from a lot of people to be able to make this move," Lewis said.

Once the renovation of "the new side" is complete, the building that's currently used as a studio will be turned into a woodshop, kitchen and a permanent gallery to display the young artists' work, Lewis said.

The agency anticipates higher operating costs because of the renovations. Green said the agency has 15 sources of funding, but is always looking for private donations. Suggestions for how to help can be found at van-go.org/donate.html.