Aldine High School Students Debut ‘Aquarium’ Art Truck at Orange Show’s 2025 Houston Art Car Parade

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After months of hard work, collaboration, and creativity, Aldine High School students proudly unveiled their “Aquarium” themed art car at the 2025 Orange Show’s Houston Art Car Parade on April 12 in downtown Houston.

The ‘Aquarium’ art truck was a visual masterpiece. It brought to life an underwater world with its vibrant colors, sculptural sea creatures, and imaginative design elements. This unique vehicle was the result of a cross-curricular collaboration between Aldine High School’s visual arts and career and technical education (CTE) programs, showcasing the students’ artistic vision and technical craftsmanship.

Led by visual arts teacher Chinedu Onochie, welding instructor Chad Reese and automotive teacher Kenneth Burrell, the students worked alongside award-winning art car artist Rebecca Bass through the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art’s Team Gillman Art Cars in the Schools Program. Aldine ISD was selected as one of nine school districts to receive a donated vehicle and participate in the two-year program.

“This project was truly a vehicle of learning — literally and figuratively,” said Kaileigh Newman, Aldine ISD’s director of visual arts. “From concept to creation, our students experienced firsthand what it means to collaborate, design, and build something representing their creativity and community. The ‘Aquarium’ is a moving symbol of their hard work and talent.”

Students learned and applied various skills throughout the school year, including automotive basics, mixed-media art, fabrication, project planning, and teamwork. The result: a rolling piece of art that amazed parade goers and highlighted the unique strengths of Aldine’s art and CTE programs.

Before making its parade debut, the “Aquarium” truck was previewed during a special event at Discovery Green, giving the public a sneak peek at the student-driven transformation.

The truck will return for the 2026 Art Car Parade, wrapping up the district’s three-year partnership with the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art and Team Gillman. Newman added that Eric Blume, AISD CTE program manager, and Jennifer Gonzales, AISD CTE program director, were also pivotal to the vehicle’s success.

“This experience has been nothing short of transformative for our students,” added Newman. “They took ownership of every part of the process and created something unforgettable. We’re already excited to see what they dream up next.”

For more information about the Art Car Program at Aldine High School, contact Kaileigh Newman at [email protected].