The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Online voting finds art contest winner
The winner is selected through public online voting until May 5
Anyone can vote online until 2 p.m. May 5 at customculture.vans.com to cast a vote for their favorite design
Clearview High School has been named Vans Culture semi-finalist, according to a news release.
Beginning on April 23, people can vote for Clearview High School’s custom culture design for a chance to win $75,000 toward the school’s art program. Clearview joins 50 schools across the United States who are in the running.
The Vans Custom Culture contest was created to support schools across the country experiencing art department budget cuts. More than 2,000 schools submitted customized Vans shoes embodying the Vans “Off the Wall” and “Local Flavor” lifestyle.
Schools also submitted an impact document explaining how their school, class and community would be impacted by winning the prize. Vans uses the competition as a way to empower high school students and individuals across the country to embrace creativity and to give a helping hand to local art programs facing budget cuts.
In an email, Clearview Local Schools Superintendent Jerome Davis said the recognition highlights the art department and underscores some of the amazing things happening in the district. Davis sent along his congratulations to the students behind the project, Kaitlyn Opel and Savannah Craigo. Clearview’s submission incorporated two of Ohio’s best known attractions, Cedar Point and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with vibrant colors.
Vans selected the top 50 finalists based on creativity, relevance to theme and overall execution. The winner will be selected by the public through online voting for their favorite pair.
The winners will receive a visit from Vans for a celebration at their school campus filled with art and music that will be brought to life in partnership with Journeys, Yoobi, Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) and Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the release said.
Anyone can vote online until 2 p.m. May 5 at customculture.vans.com to cast a vote for their favorite design.
In addition to the overall winner, four runner-up schools will each receive $10,000 to toward funding their art programs.
Vans®, a VF Corporation brand, is an original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans authentic collections are sold globally in 84 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans also owns and operates more than 600 retail locations around the world. The Vans brand promotes the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression through the support of athletes, musicians and artists and through progressive events and platforms such as the Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, Vans Warped Tour®, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.