Vans named Hixson High School from Hixson, TN as the grand prize winner of the ninth annual Vans Custom Culture art competition.
Vans and its program partners, including Journeys, Yoobi, Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) and Americans for the Arts (AFTA), awarded $75,000 towards the school’s arts education program. The remaining finalists–Fontainebleau High School, Larned High School, Middle Township High School and Moanalua High School–will each receive $10,000 toward their arts program and a limited-edition Vans gift.
“It’s an honor to be in Tennessee to present Hixson High School with $75,000 worth of funding that was earned from the students’ creative thinking,” said Megan Klempa, Vans Custom Culture program manager. “Every year we see art that comes to life from an inspiring group of individuals that work together to bring their local story to life. We’re thrilled that these students conceive of and create pieces that are truly ‘Off The Wall.'”
With Steve Van Doren, son of the founder and Vans’ Ambassador of Fun, as the ringleader, Vans surprised the competition winners at Hixson High School with an award and a $75,000 check to fund the school’s future art programs. Vans hosted a school-wide BBQ to celebrate the win and arrived in an RV filled with gifts, music and prizes. The students were also surprised with a special guest performance from singer and actor Trevor Jackson.
Since its inception, Vans Custom Culture has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to support art education in schools across the nation, empowering creativity through art and design. Vans continues to be a proponent and voice to encourage youth to creatively express themselves.
For more information, visit customculture.vans.com.
