Excitement and Creativity Drive the Da Vinci Design Art Car Project
Da Vinci Design students are bringing imagination, design, and engineering to life through the Art Car project, an ambitious initiative that transforms a vehicle into a rolling work of art. Last week, the Career Technical Education (CTE) Lab buzzed with activity as the Art Car Build Site welcomed Da Vinci community partners Otis College of Art and Design, legendary Hot Wheels and toy designer Bryan Benedict, and other VIP visitors.
The Art Car project brings together Da Vinci Design Fine Arts Pathway students, Otis faculty and students, Hot Wheels designer Bryan Benedict, and Rickey Polidore, Jr., Executive Committee Member of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. Together, this talented team is transforming a 2009 Ford Taurus into a rolling work of art that will debut at the 39th Annual Houston Art Car Parade and Festival in April 2026—a renowned event that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators and puts Da Vinci Schools on a national stage. The El Segundo Media team filmed the first broadcast segment and the El Segundo Herald prepared to share this inspiring story with the broader community.
Reflecting on the creative process so far, Benedict shared advice for students at this stage of the build: “Be bold and stay open. I’ve noticed a lot of self-editing—students holding back because they’re worried their ideas might sound silly or wrong. My advice is to just go for it. Share your ideas, explore possibilities, and don’t be afraid to take creative risks.” Benedict is the former Design Director at Hot Wheels and currently serves as a mentor and collaborator on the Art Car project. He has been involved with the Houston Art Car Parade for over eight years, sharing his experience as a judge and advocating for real-world learning opportunities for students.
Guided by Fine Arts Pathway Teacher and Coordinator Jason Kartez, Da Vinci students are tackling the "Creativity on Wheels" challenge. They will take the car from ideation and concept development all the way through manufacturing and execution, learning from Otis College students and industry veterans along the way. The project's grand theme highlights the diversity, culture, and innovation of Los Angeles County, aligning with the city’s upcoming role as host for the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic games from 2026 to 2028.
When asked what he hopes students take away from the experience, Kartez emphasized the importance of student voice and impact: “I want students to understand that the work they create as high schoolers—at 17 or 18 years old—can be legitimate, meaningful, and worthy of being displayed publicly alongside professional work. What they’re doing matters.”
Team Art Car is more than a class project—it's a professional-level, real-world art build that combines design thinking, fabrication, performance, and public presentation. Every student is an essential member of the team, contributing time, creativity, and effort. And safety is paramount; all Fine Arts students are OSHA 10 certified, and strict safety protocols are followed at all times.
Fine Arts pathway students are also navigating collaboration challenges that mirror real-world creative teams. Tatiana N. and Lovely B. shared insights into the early stages of the process:
“Since we’re still early in the process, one of the biggest challenges was combining everyone’s individual designs into one cohesive concept. But we worked through it, and now everyone feels like they have a personal connection to the car," shared Tatiana.
Success will be measured not just by the finished art car, but by the students’ growth in collaboration, responsibility, craftsmanship, and community engagement. Key project milestones include design finalization in February, primary fabrication in March, the Los Angeles premiere at Da Vinci Design Exhibition Night on March 26, and the car’s journey to Houston in April, culminating in the Art Car Parade and awards ceremony. Twelve students who consistently demonstrate commitment, responsibility, and safe professional conduct throughout the entire build season (January–April) will have the opportunity to accompany the Art Car to Houston. Additional spots may become available depending on fundraising outcomes and student merit.
Congratulations to all the students, faculty, and community partners for bringing this unique project to life. We can’t wait to see their creativity—and the Art Car—on the road!
