Instead of spending the afternoon relaxing at the pool, 15-year-old Van Go student Anna Taylor finds a comfortable spot on the floor to begin her next art project.

She is surrounded by colorful paintings, tables, chairs, benches, ceramics, umbrellas and mailboxes. The pink and green patterned umbrella towering in front of her stands as evidence to her hard work.

Taylor and about 14 other students have spent six weeks building art projects for Van Go’s yearly What Floats Your Boat fundraiser event on Saturday. The event will include a live auction with items such as mosaic mailboxes, Adirondack chairs, market umbrellas, urns, candlesticks, a picnic table and a children’s playhouse.

Unlike previous years, all the items this year were done completely by students.

“It’s fun to get to work on something on your own and design it how you want,” Taylor said.

The event will help raise money to make up for lost grant and federal funds to the Van Go program. Last year the event sold nearly 600 tickets and raised about $70,000. The money helps pay for supplies, operation costs and staff.

“Fundraisers and donations are crucial to our success,” said Eliza Nichols, Van Go marketing director. “This particular fundraiser accounts for about 8 percent of our budget.”

The event will be from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Clinton Lake Marina. Tickets are $60 per person or $400 for a table of eight and include food, beverages and a performance by the band $ellout. Visit www.van-go.org to buy a ticket.

Heather French, 21-year-old artist in residence at Van Go, said she will be sad to let go of the pieces she spent so much time on.

“You make them by scratch and put a piece of yourself into every one,” French said.