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Our 10 Favorite Cars at Art Car This Year

Arts & CultureNews & City Life
Emma Schkloven
Author: Emma Schkloven
7 min.read
1Terra Firma, Houston Community College
The very best of STEAM, this brand-new entry combines everything from welding and plasma-cutting to sculpting and glass blowing in its fabrication process. Built out of an old Ford ambulance that was donated after Hurricane Harvey, the design was inspired by the idea of rebirth, both in how the college helps students come into their own and how a city like Houston rebounds after disaster. With embedded sculptures, an immaculate paint-job, and even a rotating tree on the roof, the end result is equally gorgeous and uplifting.
The very best of STEAM, this brand-new entry combines everything from welding and plasma-cutting to sculpting and glass blowing in its fabrication process. Built out of an old Ford ambulance that was donated after Hurricane Harvey, the design was inspired by the idea of rebirth, both in how the college helps students come into their own and how a city like Houston rebounds after disaster. With embedded sculptures, an immaculate paint-job, and even a rotating tree on the roof, the end result is equally gorgeous and uplifting.
2Pride and Joy: A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rebecca Bass and Heights High School
Any time mobile-masterpiece legend Rebecca Bass and her high school art class create a new Art Car entry, we know we’re in for a treat. This one from 2019, a tribute to native Texan Stevie Ray Vaughn, continues Bass’s recent musical entries (past cars paid homage to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, and Queen), and it’s as wonderfully wild and detailed as always.
Any time mobile-masterpiece legend Rebecca Bass and her high school art class create a new Art Car entry, we know we’re in for a treat. This one from 2019, a tribute to native Texan Stevie Ray Vaughn, continues Bass’s recent musical entries (past cars paid homage to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, and Queen), and it’s as wonderfully wild and detailed as always.
3Pride and Joy: A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rebecca Bass and Heights High School
Any time mobile-masterpiece legend Rebecca Bass and her high school art class create a new Art Car entry, we know we’re in for a treat. This one from 2019, a tribute to native Texan Stevie Ray Vaughn, continues Bass’s recent musical entries (past cars paid homage to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, and Queen), and it’s as wonderfully wild and detailed as always.
Any time mobile-masterpiece legend Rebecca Bass and her high school art class create a new Art Car entry, we know we’re in for a treat. This one from 2019, a tribute to native Texan Stevie Ray Vaughn, continues Bass’s recent musical entries (past cars paid homage to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, and Queen), and it’s as wonderfully wild and detailed as always.
4Can’t Get Off the Loop, Art Car Museum
Some experiences are so quintessentially Houston that you just get it, and this ironic homage to getting stuck in the Bayou City’s infamous traffic is one of them. The Art Car Museum’s old ’57 T-Bird sports a panoramic paint job of highway landmarks by Brian (or possibly Brain—he changed the spelling on us mid-interview) Zywert that might just cause a visceral reaction in anyone who’s ever cursed their way through rush-hour gridlock.
Some experiences are so quintessentially Houston that you just get it, and this ironic homage to getting stuck in the Bayou City’s infamous traffic is one of them. The Art Car Museum’s old ’57 T-Bird sports a panoramic paint job of highway landmarks by Brian (or possibly Brain—he changed the spelling on us mid-interview) Zywert that might just cause a visceral reaction in anyone who’s ever cursed their way through rush-hour gridlock.
5Can’t Get Off the Loop, Art Car Museum
Some experiences are so quintessentially Houston that you just get it, and this ironic homage to getting stuck in the Bayou City’s infamous traffic is one of them. The Art Car Museum’s old ’57 T-Bird sports a panoramic paint job of highway landmarks by Brian (or possibly Brain—he changed the spelling on us mid-interview) Zywert that might just cause a visceral reaction in anyone who’s ever cursed their way through rush-hour gridlock.
Some experiences are so quintessentially Houston that you just get it, and this ironic homage to getting stuck in the Bayou City’s infamous traffic is one of them. The Art Car Museum’s old ’57 T-Bird sports a panoramic paint job of highway landmarks by Brian (or possibly Brain—he changed the spelling on us mid-interview) Zywert that might just cause a visceral reaction in anyone who’s ever cursed their way through rush-hour gridlock.
6Sunflower Car, Tim Young
This enormous sunflower bloom is enough to capture anyone’s attention. A feat of engineering, drivers don’t occupy the car’s body but instead sit surrounded by yellow petals in the dome balanced in the air. It’s been a while since Young’s contraption hit the road (its last appearance was in 2014), and the sight of it is sure to lift parade vets’ spirits.
This enormous sunflower bloom is enough to capture anyone’s attention. A feat of engineering, drivers don’t occupy the car’s body but instead sit surrounded by yellow petals in the dome balanced in the air. It’s been a while since Young’s contraption hit the road (its last appearance was in 2014), and the sight of it is sure to lift parade vets’ spirits.
7Sunflower Car, Tim Young
This enormous sunflower bloom is enough to capture anyone’s attention. A feat of engineering, drivers don’t occupy the car’s body but instead sit surrounded by yellow petals in the dome balanced in the air. It’s been a while since Young’s contraption hit the road (its last appearance was in 2014), and the sight of it is sure to lift parade vets’ spirits.
This enormous sunflower bloom is enough to capture anyone’s attention. A feat of engineering, drivers don’t occupy the car’s body but instead sit surrounded by yellow petals in the dome balanced in the air. It’s been a while since Young’s contraption hit the road (its last appearance was in 2014), and the sight of it is sure to lift parade vets’ spirits.
8Vincent’s Dream, Sam and Nancy Jones
Sometimes a gorgeous paint-job is all it takes to make this list, and this Art Car Parade staple, which has been appearing since 2001, is a work of art celebrating an iconic artist. The classic ’72 VW camper is covered from bumper to bumper in Van Gough’s inspired paintings.
Sometimes a gorgeous paint-job is all it takes to make this list, and this Art Car Parade staple, which has been appearing since 2001, is a work of art celebrating an iconic artist. The classic ’72 VW camper is covered from bumper to bumper in Van Gough’s inspired paintings.
9Vincent’s Dream, Sam and Nancy Jones
Sometimes a gorgeous paint-job is all it takes to make this list, and this Art Car Parade staple, which has been appearing since 2001, is a work of art celebrating an iconic artist. The classic ’72 VW camper is covered from bumper to bumper in Van Gough’s inspired paintings.
Sometimes a gorgeous paint-job is all it takes to make this list, and this Art Car Parade staple, which has been appearing since 2001, is a work of art celebrating an iconic artist. The classic ’72 VW camper is covered from bumper to bumper in Van Gough’s inspired paintings.
10Hippy Tortoise, the Waters family
Everyone knows the Waters family’s peace, love, and Jurassic Park-y "Hippysaurus," but have you ever noticed the triceratops’ little friend "Hippytortise?" Made of fiberglass and a go-cart, this mini masterpiece packs a punch in a small, groovy package.
Everyone knows the Waters family’s peace, love, and Jurassic Park-y “Hippysaurus,” but have you ever noticed the triceratops’ little friend “Hippytortise?” Made of fiberglass and a go-cart, this mini masterpiece packs a punch in a small, groovy package.
11Hippy Tortoise, the Waters family
Everyone knows the Waters family’s peace, love, and Jurassic Park-y "Hippysaurus," but have you ever noticed the triceratops’ little friend "Hippytortise?" Made of fiberglass and a go-cart, this mini masterpiece packs a punch in a small, groovy package.
Everyone knows the Waters family’s peace, love, and Jurassic Park-y “Hippysaurus,” but have you ever noticed the triceratops’ little friend “Hippytortise?” Made of fiberglass and a go-cart, this mini masterpiece packs a punch in a small, groovy package.
12Frankenkitty, Kimi Bainter
It’s aliiiiive! Bainter, who won Art Car in 2019 with her cat car, “Wrinkles, the hairless kitty," combined materials she had lying around from previous art-car projects to create a feline spin on Frankenstein that Mary Shelley couldn’t even dream up. We can’t decide if we’re horrified or delighted.
It’s aliiiiive! Bainter, who won Art Car in 2019 with her cat car, “Wrinkles, the hairless kitty,” combined materials she had lying around from previous art-car projects to create a feline spin on Frankenstein that Mary Shelley couldn’t even dream up. We can’t decide if we’re horrified or delighted.
13Frankenkitty, Kimi Bainter
It’s aliiiiive! Bainter, who won Art Car in 2019 with her cat car, “Wrinkles, the hairless kitty," combined materials she had lying around from previous art-car projects to create a feline spin on Frankenstein that Mary Shelley couldn’t even dream up. We can’t decide if we’re horrified or delighted.
It’s aliiiiive! Bainter, who won Art Car in 2019 with her cat car, “Wrinkles, the hairless kitty,” combined materials she had lying around from previous art-car projects to create a feline spin on Frankenstein that Mary Shelley couldn’t even dream up. We can’t decide if we’re horrified or delighted.
14Back to the Future, Anna Bass & North High School
Another new entry, this van celebrates innovation of the past and future, from the Da Vinci-like drawings in the book on its hood to the hoverboard holding an action figure of Marty Mcfly on its rear bumper. Take a good look and you’ll spot a plethora of pop culture goodies, from The Jetsons to Futurama and even Meet the Robinsons.
Another new entry, this van celebrates innovation of the past and future, from the Da Vinci-like drawings in the book on its hood to the hoverboard holding an action figure of Marty Mcfly on its rear bumper. Take a good look and you’ll spot a plethora of pop culture goodies, from The Jetsons to Futurama and even Meet the Robinsons.
15Back to the Future, Anna Bass & North High School
Another new entry, this van celebrates innovation of the past and future, from the Da Vinci-like drawings in the book on its hood to the hoverboard holding an action figure of Marty Mcfly on its rear bumper. Take a good look and you’ll spot a plethora of pop culture goodies, from The Jetsons to Futurama and even Meet the Robinsons.
Another new entry, this van celebrates innovation of the past and future, from the Da Vinci-like drawings in the book on its hood to the hoverboard holding an action figure of Marty Mcfly on its rear bumper. Take a good look and you’ll spot a plethora of pop culture goodies, from The Jetsons to Futurama and even Meet the Robinsons.
16Eele, Mark “Scrapdaddy” Bradford
A regular Art Car contributor, Bradford has a few kinetic sculptures featured in this year’s Art Car Experience. All of them feature found objects in a fun way, but Eele’s use of silverware to represent dragon scales puts this car over the top in our book.
A regular Art Car contributor, Bradford has a few kinetic sculptures featured in this year’s Art Car Experience. All of them feature found objects in a fun way, but Eele’s use of silverware to represent dragon scales puts this car over the top in our book.
17Eele, Mark “Scrapdaddy” Bradford
A regular Art Car contributor, Bradford has a few kinetic sculptures featured in this year’s Art Car Experience. All of them feature found objects in a fun way, but Eele’s use of silverware to represent dragon scales puts this car over the top in our book.
A regular Art Car contributor, Bradford has a few kinetic sculptures featured in this year’s Art Car Experience. All of them feature found objects in a fun way, but Eele’s use of silverware to represent dragon scales puts this car over the top in our book.
18Dumpster Fire, John Gregory
We should have expected it, but John Gregory’s new contraption made out of a real dumpster easily sets the mood for this year’s Art Car Experience with a bit of irreverence and on-point social commentary. This vehicle, brand new to Art Car, seems simple … right up until it starts blowing actual smoke into nearby viewers’ faces.
We should have expected it, but John Gregory’s new contraption made out of a real dumpster easily sets the mood for this year’s Art Car Experience with a bit of irreverence and on-point social commentary. This vehicle, brand new to Art Car, seems simple … right up until it starts blowing actual smoke into nearby viewers’ faces.
19Dumpster Fire, John Gregory
We should have expected it, but John Gregory’s new contraption made out of a real dumpster easily sets the mood for this year’s Art Car Experience with a bit of irreverence and on-point social commentary. This vehicle, brand new to Art Car, seems simple … right up until it starts blowing actual smoke into nearby viewers’ faces.
We should have expected it, but John Gregory’s new contraption made out of a real dumpster easily sets the mood for this year’s Art Car Experience with a bit of irreverence and on-point social commentary. This vehicle, brand new to Art Car, seems simple … right up until it starts blowing actual smoke into nearby viewers’ faces.
20Terra Firma, Houston Community College
The very best of STEAM, this brand-new entry combines everything from welding and plasma-cutting to sculpting and glass blowing in its fabrication process. Built out of an old Ford ambulance that was donated after Hurricane Harvey, the design was inspired by the idea of rebirth, both in how the college helps students come into their own and how a city like Houston rebounds after disaster. With embedded sculptures, an immaculate paint-job, and even a rotating tree on the roof, the end result is equally gorgeous and uplifting.
The very best of STEAM, this brand-new entry combines everything from welding and plasma-cutting to sculpting and glass blowing in its fabrication process. Built out of an old Ford ambulance that was donated after Hurricane Harvey, the design was inspired by the idea of rebirth, both in how the college helps students come into their own and how a city like Houston rebounds after disaster. With embedded sculptures, an immaculate paint-job, and even a rotating tree on the roof, the end result is equally gorgeous and uplifting.

Whether you live inside the loop or just outside of 610, you know cars are an essential part of Houston life. And no event brings together this commuting necessity with the Bayou City’s creative spirit like Art Car. Unlike the annual parade (word on the street is it’ll return in 2022 with around 300 cars), the Art Car By Day Experience is a curated show featuring 80 cars handpicked by the folks who know art cars best: the Orange Show. And their selections feature a bit of everything, from old faves, like Brunhilde’s gaping mouth and the iconic Fruitmobile, to mobile masterpieces we know will find a parking space in your heart. Here’s our favorite cars at this year’s Art Car Experience. 




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Emma Schkloven
Emma Schkloven
After leaving her hometown of Baltimore, Emma spent five years covering arts & culture in the mountains of Virginia before joining Houstonia in January 2020. During her tenure in the commonwealth, she walked with ghosts through the state's oldest municipal cemetery, became BFFs with one of the writers behind the Despicable Me franchise, and borderline stalked an Elvis Tribute Artist — but in her defense, she won multiple awards for that story, and he was crowned the world's best ETA. Her work has been picked up by The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press. When Emma's not chasing down a story, taking in a musical, or watching a superhero TV show, she's spending time with her giant, sweet potato fry-stealing cat, Boh (named after Charm City icon Natty Boh), whose raison d'etre is to be a real-life Garfield.