photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Arts-based social service nonprofit Van Go hosted an unveiling for its yearly Benchmark program Friday, July 28, 2023. Two of the 20 benches created this year by Van Go artists Cornelio Ortega-Perez and Simn Robinson, are dedicated to Pinckney Elementary School, which was closed following the end of the last school year.

Another 20 benches created by young employees for arts-based social service nonprofit Van Go’s “Benchmark” program were unveiled to the community Friday evening.

Benchmark is the culmination of Van Go’s summer JAMS employment program for youths ages 14 to 18. For the past two months, JAMS artists have been working with clients in the community as they designed and painted a custom bench based on their commissions.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist LeStat Wilson created a bench in memory of the Zeh family.

Van Go co-director Eliza Darmon said at the event that there have now been 460 benches created to date through the Benchmark program. This year’s batch, for example, includes a pair created by Van Go artists Cornelio Ortega-Perez and Simn Robinson dedicated to students of Pinckney Elementary School, which was closed at the end of the school year.

Another artist, Davon Davis, created the first-ever Van Go bench to be sent out of the country. Davis spoke about his experience with the program ahead of the unveiling, along with fellow artists Eden Faust and Ceci Podrebarac.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist Ceci Podrebarac unveils the bench she created for the nonprofit DCCCA.

Each of them voiced their appreciation for the Van Go staff and for what they learned while working in the JAMS program.

“I think that’s what makes Van Go special — the fact that staff is constantly there for the team and translating these suggestions to our artwork,” Davis said. “… Van Go has a way of hooking us back and with letting us embrace our inner child and share our passion with others.”

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist Davon Davis speaks at the unveiling event for the nonprofit’s Benchmark program. Davis created one of the 20 benches shown to the public for the first time Friday evening.

The full list of Benchmark clients and their corresponding apprentice artists for this year is as follows:

• Barack Bennett-Robinson; Monarch Watch, in memory of Sarah Schmidt

• Mya Buie; Anne Schulman

• Gus Cordova; Meadowlark Estates, in memory of Alan Swarts

• Davon Davis; Draiver

• Oliver Elwell; Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, sponsored by Debbie Baker

• Bridget Escobar; Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, in memory of Betty Baron

• Eden Faust; Static Hair Salon

• Mariah Flanagan; Lumberyard Arts Center, sponsored by Becki and Gary Dick

• Duffy Hackney; In memory of Bobby Campillo

• June Hackney; Community Children’s Center, sponsored by Kay and Tom Carmody

• Alex Mader; Martha Hodgesmith, in memory of John E. McElroy

• Ro O’Leary; Rachel and Phil Rademacher

• Cornelio Ortega-Perez; Hillcrest Elementary School, in honor of Pinckney students

• Stevie Pfeiffer; Audio Reader, sponsored by Bev Wilson

• Ceci Podrebarac; DCCCA

• Simn Robinson; Deerfield Elementary School, in honor of Pinckney students

• Ariel Sellars; In memory of Hailey Peters

• Nathan Townley; RPG (Restaurant, Pub & Games)

• LeStat Wilson; In memory of the Zeh family

• Ru Yother; In memory of the loved ones of Steve and Marcia Riley

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist Davon Davis unveils his bench, created for the company Draiver.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist Mariah Flanagan unveils a bench created for Baldwin City’s Lumberyard Arts Center.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist Barack Bennett-Robinson stands behind his bench, commissioned by Monarch Watch in memory of Sarah Schmidt.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist Stevie Pfeiffer pulls the sheet off a bench created for Audio Reader, sponsored by Bev Wilson.

photo by: Austin Hornbostel/Journal-World

Van Go artist June Hackney unveils a bench created for the Community Children’s Center, sponsored by Kay and Tom Carmody.