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The grand prize winner will receive $75,000 for their art program
By Toni Konz Tatman | JCPS Communications
Students at Atherton High School need your help to win $75,000 for their art department.
Their design in the Vans Custom Culture national shoe design competition has been placed in the Top 50 (out of 500 designs across the nation) and they need you to vote -- daily -- for their submission in the contest. You can vote here beginning Monday, April 22 through Friday, May 3.
The students were given two pairs of blank Vans shoes and were challenged to create designs the reflect both of the following themes -- Local Flavor and “Off The Wall” (reflection of the core values of the Vans brand of creativity, authenticity and passion).
Only 50 schools in five regions of the country were selected as semifinalists.
After the public voting phase concludes on May 3, Vans will announce the Top 5 entries during the week of May 6. The winning design will be announced the following week.
If selected as the Grand Prize winner, Atherton will receive $75,000 for their school’s art program, custom codes for the student design team and a visit from the Vans team to their school. The four runners-up will receive $10,000 for their school's art program.
Vans Custom Culture was created to inspire and empower high school students to embrace their creativity through art and design and to bring attention to diminishing arts education budgets.
The team of Atherton students who participated in the creation of the shoes: Emilia Barnett, Olivia Bunger, Natasha Campbell, Joanna Lock., Alyson Reece and Teague Hansen. Their art teacher is Rachel Gibbs.
"It is a fact that humans thrive when they have the ability to create," reads the school's impact essay that was submitted for the competition. "Visual Arts is just as important for a developing mind as math or English. Art allows creative problem solving, freedom of expression, and encourages passion."
"Just like most public schools in the US, our school could use the funding to supply students with a variety of art supplies, art spaces, teachers, and artistic experiences. With the money earned through our hard work in this competition, our school would be able to provide the art supplies and tools necessary to nourish the growing minds of a community of young adults. We would also brighten our community and lay a foundation for future artists."
The school's goal is to get as many people in the Louisville community as possible to vote daily.
A registered user may vote only one (1) time in total, with such vote being for only one (1) finalist high school. To register as a user, you must be a legal U.S. resident and 13 years of age or older (if under 18, be sure to obtain your parent/legal guardian’s permission PRIOR TO registration.)
You can cast one vote per day in each region. Votes will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday., May 3, 2019.
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