Big Reveal at Da Vinci Design Exhibition Ignites Excitement for Houston Art Car Parade
Da Vinci Design’s Art Car project hit a major milestone this week with an unforgettable reveal at DVD’s Exhibition Night, sparking a wave of excitement as the team prepares to head to Houston next month for the nationally renowned Houston Art Car Parade & Festival.
After months of creative design, hands-on building, and collaboration across art and engineering disciplines, students, families, and community partners gathered at the front of campus for the big moment. Fine Arts Pathway students beamed with pride as the Art Car’s bold transformation was unveiled—offering an exciting preview of the nearly completed project— and the energy was electric, a testament to the hard work, imagination, and teamwork that brought this vision to life.
See related article: Da Vinci Students Turning Car into a Work of Art for Texas Event
The students’ Art Car, California Dream’n, tells two sides of Los Angeles: the driver’s side captures Hollywood glamour—beaches, sun, sports, fame—while the passenger side reflects everyday life—community, diversity, food, street art, and resilience. Together, it explores the gap between how L.A. is imagined and how it’s actually lived.
Guided by Fine Arts Pathway coordinator Jason Kartez, the project was further enriched through mentorship from Bryan Benedict, former design director at Hot Wheels, along with industry partners and collaborators. These include: Jonathan Fidler, Assistant Chair, and Assistant Professor Product Design, Otis College of Art and Design; Joyce Mesch, Assistant Chair and Professor Toy Design, Otis College of Art and Design; Rickey Polidore, Jr., Executive Committee Member of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art; Dave Kempken, Support Shop Manager, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Dave Shuten, Lead Builder on Discovery Channel’s Car Kings; and Bobby Z. Rodriguez, designer, muralist and artist. Hot Wheels also serves as a sponsor of the project, donating tracks and die-cast cars that will be incorporated into the Art Car.
Together, the talented team transformed a 2009 Ford Taurus, donated by Galpin Ford, into a rolling work of art, using a wide range of mixed-media materials—expanding foam, artificial moss, balsa wood, glass mosaic tile, handmade freeway signs, decomposed granite, and more. The Hollywood Hills were shaped from foam and moss, with students adding graffiti to the back side, while balsa wood houses were set ablaze to create Palisades fire imagery.
“I’ve mentored students before, but not quite this in-depth or on such a grand scale. It’s been a lot of fun, and really exciting to see their ideas come to life. I try to offer professional advice and guidance on materials,” said Benedict. He also leveraged his connections to bring in other artist-mentors, including Dave Shuten from Discovery Channel’s Car Kings and graffiti artist Bobby Z. Rodriguez.
The Exhibition Night reveal wasn’t just a project milestone—it was a celebration of the Da Vinci community’s creativity and dedication. Da Vinci Design Fine Arts Pathway students shared the inspiration behind their designs, fielded questions from enthusiastic visitors, and reflected on the challenges they overcame along the way. The event left everyone buzzing with pride and anticipation for what’s next.
Tatiana Nunez, a DVD senior, shared: “It definitely feels surreal to see how much the car has changed and evolved over time. I think it’s super cool to work with people who are so experienced. We’re learning how to use one-shot paint, which is used to detail cars, and it’s incredible to see professionals do something we’re just starting to learn—skills they’ve spent years perfecting—and have them teach us. We’ve had so many amazing opportunities to collaborate with industry partners, and we’re really grateful for their support on this journey.”
Francesca Ferrante, a DVD senior, is heading to Cal Poly SLO for Studio Art in the fall: “It’s really exciting to see the car coming together. Many of the materials we’re using are things we’ve never touched before, so it’s been a lot of trial and error. Sometimes our plans work, sometimes they don’t, and we’ve had to reevaluate and workshop everything—but it’s all turning out great. Everything we’re doing here is giving us valuable experience for what I might be doing at Cal Poly.”
With the Art Car’s debut complete, the team is now adding final touches and setting their sights on Houston and the 39th Annual Art Car Parade and Festival, taking place April 9-12.
The excitement is palpable as students, staff and partners prepare to represent Da Vinci Design on a national stage, connect with fellow artists, and experience one of the country’s most vibrant art celebrations. For many, the upcoming trip to Houston is more than just a chance to showcase their creation—it’s an opportunity to make lifelong memories and inspire others with their passion and creativity.
As the journey continues, the spirit of the Exhibition Night reveal will fuel the team’s enthusiasm all the way to Texas and beyond.
