The Creative District, in partnership with the Port Townsend Public Library, seeks submissions from artists interested in creating a t-shirt design for the Library’s summer reading program. The commission is $500. Submissions are due November 30, 2025.
Project Overview
The Creative District announces an open call for artists interested in designing artwork for the Port Townsend Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Each year, the Library selects a local artist to design a limited-edition t-shirt as the 50-hour reading prize for youth and the 100-hour reading prize for adults participating in the program. The 2026 Summer Reading Program theme is “A Beautiful Place to Live.”
This project is designed to highlight local artists through original artwork that represents the art community’s deep and enduring practice of producing meaningful visual culture. We request that AI not be used for work made in response to this RFQ.
Project Logistics
The artwork will be owned by the artist with limited reproduction rights granted to the Port Townsend Public Library. The Library will print the t-shirts in limited runs and distribute them from June 2026-August 2026. Additionally, the artwork will be highlighted in the Library’s Summer Reading marketing materials including handouts, flyers, social media posts, and calendar postings on the library website. Artists will be credited in all uses. The Port Townsend Library Friends & Foundation will pay for all printing costs.
The artist/artist team commission is $500.
The City of Port Townsend will announce the project and feature the chosen artist/artist team in a press release and other media.
Project Goals
- The final artwork should be a one- or two-color graphic design appropriate for screen-printing on t-shirts
- Represents the 2026 Summer Reading Program theme “A Beautiful Place to Live”
- Promotes the library and supports a lifelong love of reading
- Has a Port Townsend/East Jefferson County spirit/vibe
- Demonstrates the skill and talent of our artistic community
Who may apply?
- Artists living and working in Port Townsend or East Jefferson County who are listed in the Creative District Artist Directory. This is a free database of local artists managed by the Creative District.
Artists may join the Artist Directory here: ptcreativedistrict.org/artists.
What is the application process?
- Create / Maintain an Artist Directory Profile
- Include 4-6 work samples or a link to an online portfolio/website
- Provide a short description of your design idea, inspiration, or point-of-view. You may include different ideas or thoughts on language to be included as well.
What happens after I apply?
Qualifications will be reviewed by the leadership team of the City of Port Townsend’s Community Service Department and members of the Creative District workgroup. The Community Service Department is the municipal home of the Creative District, and the Creative District workgroup is a steering committee made up of local artists. The submission that aligns best with the project goals will be chosen for the project and the artist will be contacted by December 15.
Schedule
- RFQ Deadline: November 30
- Decision and notification: December 15
- Draft review date: January 31
- Final work due: March 1
Examples of Past Designs
