It’s a fresh new year and we hope you are embarking on 2021 with a sense of hope for the future! While the difficulties of last year have not completely been left behind, we believe brighter horizons are ahead.
Van Go is facing this new year with new Co-Executive Directors, new faces in the JAMS and The Arts Train program, and lots of exciting new projects in the queue. We’ve renewed our dedication to providing a safe, healthy workspace for our youth. No matter what, Van Go keeps on Van-Going!
Spring JAMS Apprentice Artists (ages 14-18) are back in session and beginning work on their spring mural project. These young employees will put their creative talents to work designing and executing a series of mural panels for the long-awaited new location of the Children's Advocacy Center of Douglas County. The Apprentice Artists are also lending their artistic talents to decorating storefronts for this year’s Downtown Lawrence “reverse” St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Look for their shamrock decor, themed "Conversations in Kindness", at 714 Massachusetts between March 5 & March 17.
Join us in our first ever crowd-funding campaign! This "Community Commission" will help 10 Van Go youth to paint 10 food collection barrels for Just Food this spring!
Check out the Go Fund Me: https://charity.gofundme.com/community-commission-just-food-van-go
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The Van Go Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome three new members to the 2021 Board.
Ellen Chindamo is a jewelry artist and successful development director. She was the program director at the Lawrence Arts Center for 10 years and her beloved husband Brad Chindamo was Board President during Van Go's Capitol Campaign. Ellen is currently the Development Director at Bishop Seabury Academy.
Mona Cliff is a nationally recognized, multi-disciplinary artist who focuses on Native American Identity. Locally, Mona created the murals on the building at 11th and Pennsylvania as a part of the Rebuilding East Ninth project. Additionally, Mona consulted on Van Go's "Restoration" mural at 31st and Louisiana in 2020.
Katie Winter is a long-time friend and supporter of Van Go. She completed her Master's thesis on Van Go and even got married here! Katie recently renovated her family's one-room schoolhouse in rural Douglas County, which will serve as an educational center in the future.
We look forward to partnering with these new board members to enhance the mission of Van Go in 2021!
Van Go’s new online store was a smashing success during Adornment 2020. Since COVID-19 has prompted new and innovative uses of all of our building spaces, we’re thrilled to able to continue offering Van Go artwork for sale in our online store—even without a traditional gallery setup. Don’t forget to check out the store whenever you’re in need of a gift or artistic pick-me-up!
We also have launched a line of Van Go greeting cards. We brought back some vintage Van Go designs, as well as some newer works, and bundled them with fun envelopes. The cards are all blank inside so you can utilize them for any occasion! Check out the Van Go Veggies; Pet Portraits; Dinosaurs, Animals & Aliens; and Restoration Mural designs all under the Paper Goods collection of our online store!
