Kweken coffee in Orange City has been a beloved staple ever since its founding in September 2024 by owner McKenzie Kuiken and her husband Michael. If you’ve spent any amount of time in Orange City, you know that Kweken is a place that naturally fosters community between people with its chill atmosphere, great decor, lovely music, and of course, delicious coffee and drinks. The Kweken architecture includes a gorgeous front porch, where people can sit outside and enjoy the weather. Walk inside, and you will most likely see students studying, chatting on the couches, or networking with others. In the very back, you will see a space that opens up into study rooms, more couches, and long tables. This back chamber often hosts events such as bridal showers, arts events, and study sessions.
On September 27, 2025 in one of those back rooms, an art event called Coffee and Canvas took place. This event offered people a chance to have a guided art experience painting landscapes with others in this community. While it cost $25 to do it, they offered all the arts supplies for free, along with a drink.
Art events like this happen in the community through intentional planning and cultivated passion for the arts. Thankfully, Orange City, despite how small it is, is one of those special communities. Not every small town is as devoted to art and culture, but as you can see from the murals, events, and even the dedication of Northwestern College to the arts, Orange City cares. It is because of individuals that we have a culture like this. One such individual is April Benson.
April is a board member of the Orange City Council of Arts. She has a passion for painting and has used her heart to paint for God. On her website, she shares a bit about her life. “My faith strengthened from my husband’s influence and a strong church family inspired me to paint for God. To honor Him with my work ethic and artwork I produce.” She put on Coffee and Canvas so that people here could also enjoy the relaxation and inspiration that comes with painting. Events like this enrich our lives and help us to remember that God is creative and a faithful artist. Having made each one of us and every true landscape that exists here on earth, we imitate our God when we do such things as painting – and especially together.
Ultimately, the delightful mixture of Coffee and Canvas was a beautiful example of the arts flourishing in Orange City. Art is not only a form of expression, it’s also a form of communication. When we neglect the arts in our society, we are neglecting empathy, expression, and human experience. Because of that, it’s encouraging to see an event like this taking place.
Coffee and canvas event at Kweken in Orange City
