Vans has unveiled the latest edition of its Custom Culture Pack, as well as details regarding the program.
Vans proudly previews the forthcoming Custom Culture pack available this March at select Vans and Journeys locations as well as the Vans online shop. Vans Custom Culture is a nationwide high school art competition that has inspired creativity among the youth since its 2010 inception. Each year Vans gives schools across the US a chance to express their collective artistry by customizing four heritage styles from Classics: the Authentic, Classic Slip-On, Sk8-Hi and 106 Vulcanized. Students are charged with designing each pair of shoes to fit within three core values of the Vans lifestyle, including action sports, art and music as well as the fourth “local flavor” theme reflecting regional inspiration. Last year’s winners, Rio Rancho High School, claimed the $50,000 grand prize for their art program and became the first class to have their entire set of designs go into production.
The students at Rio Rancho injected the Authentics with their “local flavor.” Each pair features an all-over skull detail and southwest print inspired by the geography of New Mexico. Their custom colorway of the Classic Slip-On was a tribute to tattoo culture with ink and skin artwork. The Sk8-Hi channels the spirit of rock music and recreates the silhouette of a guitar within its uppers. The winning class paid homage to the surf lifestyle on the 106 Vulcanized, presenting beach shoreline and sea waves imagery.
For the 2013 installment of the competition, Vans will donate $50,000 to the school that wins the Custom Culture contest and launch a new partnership with the Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit and organization for advancing the arts and art education. Journeys will present an additional prizing of $10,000 to the students with the best “local flavor” footwear at the final event as well. The winning designs from this year’s Custom Culture will be produced for retail in early 2014.
Registration for 2013 edition of Vans Custom Culture ends on February 11. High school art classes can sign up for this year’s contest and find more information about Vans Custom Culture at: www.Vans.com/CustomCulture
