The Art Car phenomenon has been a mostly American pursuit up to now, with the patronage of Harrod Blank ensuring that the reputation of art cars is strongly represented in the media and online. It is encouraging to see, though, that it is getting its opportunities elsewhere now and this is demonstrated by the burgeoning art car scene in a country with a reputation for finding its art in more straight-laced media. The United Kingdom has found up to now that art has its place in galleries and in books, save for the occasional statue and sculpture in its town centres, but with the birth of the UK Art Car Parade that may well be about to change.

The North of England seems to be the womb in which the UK’s art car movement will gestate, with parades kicking off in 2007 in the Northern cities of Manchester and Newcastle, and the seaside holiday haven of Blackpool (famous up to now for its Pleasure Beach theme park and astounding Illuminations). Indeed, the aforementioned Illuminations have played a part in Blackpool’s own art car scene, with an illuminated Art Car parade-taking place there in October 2007. Check out http://www.artcarparade.co.uk/ to see how the scene is growing, and where it may spring up next.