AK launches Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

Photos show samples of entries from last year’s Annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. (Contributed Photo)

Imagine a flying car that has the ability to heal individuals affected by COVID-19 or an octopus car with eight legs that can clean the ocean of its pollution. Imagine a mobile pet-rescue truck that has the means to care for stray animals or a van that provides clothing and food to the homeless.

These extraordinary vehicles with meaningful purposes are just a few of the brilliant ideas that sprung to our youth’s minds for last year’s Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. This year, Atkins Kroll encourages the children of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to dream big as they announce the commencement of the 16th Annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, which is open to the children of Guam and the Northern Marianas, ages 4 to 15 years.

First held in 2004 in Japan, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest continues to be the largest international art contest that gives children not only the opportunity to share their ideas about the future of automobiles but also encourages children to pursue their dreams.

Last year, 581 students from Guam and over 165 students from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota entered their art pieces in the contest. Atkins Kroll is eager to see those numbers increase this year.

In 2021, Saipan resident Jeewoo Son won the 14th Annual Mobility for All award and gained global recognition. Her dream car, titled “The WRAP Car (World Rescue Assist Protect),” featured a flying, vibrant vehicle that rescues people from COVID-19 and keeps them in a safe environment.

“We always look forward to seeing the inspiring works of art that our islands’ students produce. Many of the dream cars we see provide solutions to the issues we face today and promise a better and brighter world. With illustrations that paint such a hopeful future, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is sure to bring inspiration and innovation the world surely needs,” said Trina Cruz, AK Marketing and Communications director.

Students are welcome to submit their entries at Atkins Kroll Toyota in Tamuning and on Saipan. Deadline to submit all entries is 5pm on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2023.

Atkins Kroll will hold an exhibition of all entered artworks from Feb. 26, 2023, to March 10, 2023, and will have an awards ceremony for the Top 3 entries in each age category on March 10. The venue will be announced.

The contest is open to students in the following age categories: Under 7 years; 8-11 years; and 12-15 years. Students are encouraged to create their “Dream Car” using any standard drawing medium (color pencils, crayons, watercolor, or markers) on an 11” (h) x 17” (w) paper with a thickness of 5mm maximum. Digital art mediums are restricted. Toyota is looking for hand-drawn colorful artwork that illustrates “My Dream Car.”

Worldwide, there will be 30 finalists (10 finalists in three age categories) selected to participate in the global competition. If no one from Guam or Saipan is among the 30 finalists, a representative from both Guam and Saipan will be selected to attend the global competition. Announcements for the selected global finalists will be made in June. The artist and his or her parents will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in Tokyo, Japan in 2023. (PR)