The Vans Custom Culture is an annual competition encouraging high-school art classes to customize their own pair of four heritage style kicks. Reflecting the Vans lifestyle ethos of action sports, art and music, with the forth to reflect the school’s local flavour and roots. Last year’s winners, all from Rio Rancho in New Mexico, pocketed $50,000 for their art program and the chance to have their designs released by the brand. The winning shoe designs feature an Authentic with an all-over print influenced by the geography of New Mexico, a Classic Slip-On paying tribute to tattoo culture, the Sk8-Hi channeling with a guitar graphic across the upper and a 106 Vulcanized that gives the nod to surf lifestyle. Not a bad program producing some great results.