Five Pasadena High Schools In Youth Shoe Design Contest

Students and contest judges (Photo – artcenter.edu)

ArtCenter College of Design recently hosted “Sneakers and Cream,” a shoe design contest for students from five Pasadena High Schools to create custom-designed sneakers, commemorating Black History Month.

By News Desk

Pasadena City Councilman Tyron Hampton, known for wearing sneakers with his suits, served as one of the design contest judges, along with Safir Bellali, and co-founder of ARTICLE NO. Footwear, Michael Jonte.

Each student contestant used a pair of classic white sneakers as a blank canvas to create a custom, hand-painted, or sculpted art piece. The contest reinforced concepts of graphic design and product design – both potential career pathways for designers and creators.

This contest is led by footwear designer and ArtCenter associate professor Roosevelt “Rose” Brown, hoping “to bring transformative impact for every black and brown creative in Pasadena and the Los Angeles area.”

The first prize was awarded to Phoebe Prentice from Pasadena High School for the composition named “Leadership, Acceptance, Resistance, and Performance.” The work encompasses all three aspects of expression while celebrating four Black queer feminist pioneers.

Contestant Milana Malykhina from Rose City High School was awarded second prize for her heart-throbbing composition “Sweet Tooth,” depicting a toxic relationship.

The artwork “Unity,” designed by Min Seon, evokes the heartbeat of a community united in rhythmic harmony while mirroring diverse experiences. The composition was a tie for third, with the work contrived by Kira Bruson from John Muir High School depicting three significant Black social movement leaders.

Each winner received a scholarship to attend a future ArtCenter ACX teen class, a pair of brand new sneakers, and art supplies. Lalaland Design has also offered to sponsor an incubator program for contestants to help produce their shoe design and make it a reality.

Top: Original sneaker designs. Middle (L-R): ArtCenter Product Design alum and associate professor Roosevelt “Rose” Brown. Lalaland Design representative talking to 1st prize winner Phoebe Prentice from Pasadena High School. Bottom: Councilman Tyron Hampton checking out designs (Photos – Photo – artcenter.edu))