It’s officially time for one of my favorite projects of the year. Vans Custom Culture art contest is back again and we are calling all US High School Students to participate. We asked a ton of our rad friends to customize a pair of plain white Vans to get the word out and hopefully inspire some of you guys to participate. The first pair shown are my attempt at a little yarn art on Sk8-Hi’s for you all and following are a few of my favorites from this year’s Custom Culture ambassadors… The second pair are an insane take on Slip-ons by the super talented Charlavail. Third are cool Sk8-Hi’s made with hair dye and Sharpies by Miss Hayley Williams from Paramore. Fourth are a pair of Space Jam themed Authentics that Tay Jardine from We Are The In Crowd drew and painted for us, and last but certainly not least are the super cute, and extra glitery Authentics from Vans Surfer Leila Hurst. 

SO, WHAT IS VANS CUSTOM CULTURE YOU ASK? Custom Culture is a national high school shoe customization contest where schools from all over the United States compete for a chance to win money for their art programs. Registered schools will receive four pairs of blank Vans sneakers to be customized in four themes: Art, Music, Action Sports and Local Flavor. 

AND WHAT CAN YOU WIN? The Top Five finalists will be flown to New York City for an exclusive final event where the winner will be selected. The grand prize winning school will receive a $50,000 prize for their art program and the chance for their shoes to be produced and sold in Vans’ retail stores. The four runner up schools will also receive money for their art programs. 

YOU LOVE EVERYTHING I JUST SAID?! And you’re a US High School Student with creativity flowing out ya brain? Perfect. Get all the info, tell your teacher, and register now at vans.com/customculture. Better hurry, we can only accept the first 1,500 schools to register. Good luck & hope to see you at the finals! -amanda