Virus zappers and recycling robots were among more than 350 entries from talented young UK artists for the 2021 Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. The annual Dream Car Art Contest invites children to submit artwork demonstrating their original ideas for vehicles of the future, fostering the kind of innovative thinking that is a perfect fit with Toyota as it transitions from a car company to one dedicated to all forms of mobility.
Once again, the ideas and execution were phenomenal, and the results show how young minds are inspired to find mobility ideas that also address the pressing issues of today. The entries were received from across the UK, with youngsters taking the opportunity to let their minds escape while other activities remained restricted by the health emergency.
This year, national restrictions meant Toyota could not bring the winners together for the traditional awards presentation. Instead, a virtual awards ceremony video was filmed and has been sent to the successful entrants. It includes an introduction from Steve Backshall, TV adventurer, author and wildlife expert, and the reveal of the winning entries by Agustín Martín, President and Managing Director, Toyota (GB) PLC.
Gold winners in the contest will each receive an iPad, with Silver and Bronze winners being given a Samsung tablet. All the finalists will be sent a Toyota goody bag. The nine UK winning designs will now be entered into the global contest, alongside last year’s winners, the 2020 event having been cancelled due to the pandemic. They will have a chance of winning $5,000 (approx. £3,600) for themselves and $10,000 (approx. £7,200) for their school or college, for educational use.
2021 Dream Car Art Contest winners
Gold Winners
The Gold winner in the under-eight category is William Godfrey, designer of The Toyota Bubble flying car, equipped with virus zapper, temperature-checking doors and a bridge that allows people from different bubbles to meet.
First place in the eight to 11 category goes to Martin Wellstead with The Homeless Helper which provides homeless people with accommodation, water, clean clothes and everything they might need to help them find work and a new home.
The 12 to 15 category Gold winner is Verity Gulliford, whose Stratus Apparatus MMXX combats rising levels of global warming by transforming greenhouse gases into harmless fluffy clouds.
Dream Car Art Contest – Award Winners:
Under-eight
Gold: William Godfrey, Lambeth
Silver: Kennedy Moore, Preston
Bronze: Isabella Grover, Welwyn Garden City
Eight to 11
Gold: Martin Wellstead, Dorset
Silver: Leonid Karpovich, Teddington
Bronze: Anoushka Kumar, Woking
Twelve to 15
Gold: Verity Gulliford, Cobham (Surrey)
Silver: Charlie Eades, Moray
Bronze: Tyler Smith, Bootle
