The message about art cars has been kept largely quiet over the years, not through any conspiracy, but because it’s always been an example of outsider art. If you want mainstream, then there are galleries for you everywhere. For fans of art cars, however, there is a single prominent Art Car Museum in Houston and precious little else. This means that art cars need to be taken to their public in the form of parades. Again, Houston has one of those. As well as Houston, though, the Art Car Parade is popping up in numerous other places, including the first one ever to happen in London this year.

San Mateo, CA, is home to the Maker Faire. The Maker Faire itself is not all about art cars – if you have a talent for craft in any form whatsoever, you’ll find something to your taste at the Faire. It does have a very strong art car element, however, and was attended by luminaries such as Tré Taylor and Costas Schuler. Tré brought along her newest effort, Squirly Whirly, while Costas turned up with his Mercedes Pens. There was much more besides to look at, and the Maker Faire continues to grow. Roll on Maker Faire 2010!