Alto is the trendiest of rideshare companies. You’ve probably heard about the Dallas-based app that lets you choose everything from the car’s playlist to whether you want to make small talk with the driver, but have you seen it around lately? Alto has been partnering with local artists to create “art cars” with eye-catching designs and millennial-friendly bonuses (like a selfie station in the backseat). This weekend, it unveils its latest creation by muralist Mariel Pohlman at Flea Style.
The special art cars are mixed into Alto’s fleet and randomly assigned to unsuspecting riders, so you never know when you’ll get one. So far, the company has introduced a Pride Car in June, a car supporting Ashford Rise School of Dallas, and an art car by Alli K Design dubbed the selfie mobile. Alto plans to collaborate with more creatives in the area and release new two to three art cars every year.
The latest ride will be hard to miss on the streets–the entire body is covered in a bright patchwork pattern. Pohlman, who I spoke to last week about her work for Wild West Mural Fest, has large scale works across the city, like the fortune cookie slips off of Katy Trail and the leafy walls at Verbena Parlor.
“We were evaluating a few artists, some more established, some newer, and we really like where she is in her career. Her name is starting to get out there, she’s an up-and-comer in Dallas, and we thought that was really aligned with our brand. We’re starting to get some recognition, but we’re not a household name yet,” says Alexandra Halbardier, Alto’s chief customer officer.
Pohlman’s latest, mobile artwork is being revealed on Saturday at the 10th anniversary event for Flea Style, the Dallas-based artisan and vintage marketplace. While Flea Style now has a brick and mortar location in Deep Ellum, it’s taking over Market Hall for its Fall Show, which will bring out more than 150 vendors. The car will be there all day if you want to check it out. Otherwise, you’ll have to order an Alto and see if you get lucky.
