Six-year-old Paige Radak, of Omaha, Neb., browses through magnets and pins at the annual Adornment Holiday Art Show and Sale at Van Go, 715 New Jersey Street on Saturday evening.

Workspace inside Van Go, Inc. was transformed into a gallery Saturday night for the 15th annual Adornment Holiday Art Show and Sale.

White lights twinkled overhead as a hundred or so people wandered through the room, observing the art before the show began. Last night’s event served as the opening to the art sale, which will last through Dec. 23.

“The apprentice artists spent a solid eight weeks producing the art you’ve seen around the room,” said art instructor Rick Wright. “They’ve learned some new skills and honed some that they already had.”

Van Go is an arts-based social service agency that offers employment opportunities for high-needs or under-served 14- to 21-year-olds in Douglas County. One of the agency’s programs pays qualifying teens for making art 10 hours per week, and another allows 18- to 21-year-olds to sell art on commission.

The annual holiday event serves as the one sale Van Go holds each year, and is one of its main fundraisers.

Before the sale began Saturday, 27 apprentice artists were introduced.

“I came in with very little work experience, absolutely no artistic experience and rock-bottom self esteem,” said 20-year-old apprentice artist Lily Robinson. “But that’s the thing about Van Go: They challenge you. I went from being someone who never finished anything to staying late to work on projects. Van Go gave me control.”

For the remainder of the night, apprentice artists showed off their work to their parents and chatted with others in attendance. They explained the learning process of painting, woodcarving, plasma cutting and spot welding, and watched as people purchased their work.

“This is a really special night,” said Van Go executive director Lynne Green. “For those of you who know nothing about Van Go, this is what it is all about.”