The Lowrider Design Challenge, created in partnership with Seco Live and sponsored by Revolt Gallery, was an opportunity for middle and high school students to imagine the ‘Lowrider of the Future’.
Students explored the history of the lowrider to understand its artistic and cultural significance, as well as the hydraulics and engineering, to inform their designs. At the same time they researched the latest scientific and technological innovations to ask: How might a Lowrider look in the future if they applied these new innovations to a lowrider design? How might it improve its hydraulic system, become more sustainable, change its style? How might these future influences alter the cultural connection of lowrider cars?
The teachers were given the Lowrider Curriculum Tool inspired by the Arroyo Seco Low N’ Slow exhibit curated by Toby Morfin and the Santos Lowride at the Harwood Art Museum curated by Nicole Dial-Kaye.
The Lowrider Design Challenge received over 200 student designs. The winners can be seen below according to their winning category.
The Seco Live Teacher Award went to Adel Kosanke at Taos High School.
The STEMarts Lab Educator Award went to Alison Haney at Taos Integrated School of the Arts.
Special thanks to all the principals, teachers and district support at Taos County Schools that allowed time for this design challenge and teacher training to take place:
Schools: Anansi Charter School, Taos Charter School, VISTA Grande High School, Taos Integrated School of the Arts, Taos Charter School, Penasco Middle and High School, Cyber Magnet School
Best Overall Design
Diego Martinez
Taos High School
Best Traditional Design
Santana Luna
Taos High School
Best Futuristic Design
Masa Mirabal
Cyber Magnet School
Best Use of Art & Creativity
Nina Walton & Keira Robinson
TISA
Most Likely to Save the World
Feliciana Mitchell
Penasco Municipal School
Best Representation of Lowrider Culture
D’Angelo Abeyta
Penasco Municipal School
New Mexico True Award
Evangelynne Sandoval
Penasco Municipal School
Taos News Award
Agustin Cabral
Taos High School
KNCE Award
Emma Violet
Taos Charter School
Seco Live Award
Josh Greenwald
Cyber Magnet School
Seco Live Award
Elaine Mitchell
Penasco Municipal School
Perseverance Award
Amber Bigbee
Digital Entry
Notable Mention
Mora Campbell
Anansi Charter School