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"Happy is the man who has acquired the love of walking for its own sake!" W.J. Holland. Van Taylor Monroe has an enlightened walk through bringing awareness through art on sneakers. From the passionate "Save Darfur" sneaker, to the popular "Barack Obama '08" shoe, Monroe has developed a unique way to motivate social and civic engagement to a visually stimulated generation, fueled by pop culture. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, to a family of nontraditional artists, Van's creative spirit was nurtured at an early age, as he was encouraged to celebrate his self-expression through art. By the age of 2, Van began sketching "panes" which his mother later discovered were airplanes. Monroe attended Miami University in Ohio as a graphic design major and quickly combined his business savvy with his creative talents. In 2003, he began revitalizing the scuffed and worn-out sneakers of his football teammates by adding fresh new colors and personalized hand-painted designs to them. While football suffered, what seemed only a hobby quickly grew into a passionate, artistic calling, sneaker art design. Inspired by his family, his faith and his surroundings, Van's most popular designs came from visions in dreams. Celebrities and Community Activists such as Will.I.Am, Gayle King, Josh Hutcherson, Hill Harper, Russell Simmons, Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Laz Alonso, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Bryan-Michael Cox, Hugh Jackman, Carmelo Anthony, Charles Barkley and Emmy award winning film director Spike Lee have shown support for their cause by sporting their own customized sneakers to various events. Monroe was also honored and privileged to paint a specialized pair of sneakers for the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama. The Smithsonian Museum has also recognized Monroe by submitting the Barack Obama08 sneaker into their permanent collection. Van worked with 20th Century Fox in promoting their summer blockbuster movie Wolverine with his sneaker designs. Van's work can also be seen in the latest Michael Jackson music video "This is It" which was directed by Spike Lee. In 2009 Monroe was inducted to Kaleidoscope Magazines Forty-Forty Club, which celebrates 40 African American achievers, ages 40 and under who has made an impact in Greater Cleveland. Van Taylor Monroe has undoubtedly acquired the love of walking for his own sake and for the sake of his community.
Cleveland Magazine Jan 09
closer to my dreams
surviving the times
copyright Van T Monroe. All rights reserved
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