photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Artists and audience members applaud the unveiling of a new bench at the Van Go benchmark unveiling ceremony on July, 24, 2026. 20 new benches were created as part of the Lawrence nonprofit's annual program.

Hundreds of people gathered at Lawrence nonprofit Van Go’s studio Friday evening to celebrate the unveiling of colorful benches created through its annual Benchmark campaign and the young artists who made them.

The unveiling ceremony for the 20 handcrafted benches marked the conclusion of Van Go’s summer JAMS program for youths ages 14 to 18. The Benchmark program has created over 500 benches since it began in 1998. The young artists created benches for private clients as well as local businesses or organizations like Watkins Museum of History, Owens Flower Shop, the University of Kansas School of Business and Betty Rae’s Ice Cream.

Lori McSorley, the nonprofit’s executive director, said Friday the artwork created by the young artists is “extraordinary,” but she also wanted to share her thanks with the work of the nonprofit’s staff who helped remind the artists they were “capable of more than they could have imagined.”

McSorley said the staff works with the artists who were hired through the JAMS program, which works to build important life skills through their work on the benches. The work takes about eight weeks.

Rick Wright, the art director for Van Go, said during those “eight short weeks,” the artists did everything from interviewing their clients to get a design idea to then executing the vision of the project. Through all the ups and downs of the creative process, Wright said he “couldn’t be more proud” of the artists and the work ethic and camaraderie they developed.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Artist Jane Erisman and representatives from the Delta Gamma sorority unveil the bench Erisman created as part of Lawrence nonprofit Van Go’s annual Benchmark campaign.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Representatives with Audio Reader and the Delta Gamma sorority pose with Van Go artist Jane Erisman, center, behind the bench she created.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

A bench depicting parts of Lawrence and areas around it created by a Van Go artist is seen here. 20 handcrafted benches were unveiled on July 24, 2026.

Two of the young artists, Ayo Beason and Mya Buie, told the crowd before the unveiling about how the program prepared them for the rest of their life. Beason said she knew she liked painting, which is what led her to Van Go. After working there for nine sessions, including becoming a team leader, Beason said she felt more comfortable meeting new people, and the program “helped (her) be more focused and hard-working” in school. She said she plans to take the lessons she learned at Van Go to college next semester.

Buie said that before joining the program, she had low self confidence and “didn’t know what she was getting into” for her first session in 2022. Over the next four years, she said she learned how to grow her self confidence and gained social skills that she hopes to use in the future. Buie said the bench she worked on this year helped her “step outside (her) box” for imagining the design, and she will use this experience moving forward.

“I’m glad I gained these new job and life skills to use in my future,” Buie said.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

A family member hugs Van Go artist Ayo Beason as they admire at the bench she designed for the nonprofit’s Benchmark program.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

A bench created by Diana Lee that honored Janet and Bruce Kernes as part of the Van Go Benchmark program is seen here.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

A bench created by Juniper Jacob for Cynthia Janssen as part of the Van Go Benchmark program is seen here.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Van Go Executive Director Lori McSorley gives a speech at the unveiling of benches created for the nonprofit’s annual Benchmark campaign.