The Sumter County Gallery of Art invites artists of all ages to participate in the Designed by Sumter T-Shirt Design Contest! Whether you're an experienced artist or just love to create, this is your chance to have your artwork featured on official Gallery merchandise.

Contest Divisions

• Youth Division: Ages 5–17
• Adult Division: Ages 18 and older

How the Contest Works

1. Create an original T-shirt design.
2. Submit your artwork by September 30, 2026.
3. All eligible entries will be posted to the Sumter County Gallery of Art's Facebook page.
4. Community voting will take place through Facebook reactions (Likes/Loves) from October 5–15, 2026.
5. The Top Five (5) designs in each division receiving the most combined reactions will be selected as winners.
6. Winning designs will be featured in the Gallery's TeePublic Online Shop and available for purchase November 1–December 31, 2026.

Design Guidelines

To be eligible, all submissions must meet the following requirements:

• Artwork must be 100% original and created by the participant.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated artwork is not permitted.
• Artwork must be family-friendly and appropriate for all audiences.
• Designs may not contain:
  • Copyrighted or trademarked images
  • Licensed characters
  • Logos or brand names
  • Artwork created by another artist
• Entries may not include offensive, discriminatory, violent, or inappropriate language or imagery.
• Designs should be created with printing on a T-shirt in mind and should be submitted as high-quality digital artwork (preferred formats: PNG or JPG).

Artist Agreement

By submitting artwork, participants affirm that:

• The design is their own original work.
• The artwork does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
• The Sumter County Gallery of Art has permission to display submitted artwork online and in promotional materials related to the contest.
• Winning artists grant the Gallery permission to reproduce and sell their design through the Gallery's TeePublic shop during the contest sales period. Artists will receive credit whenever their design is displayed.

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026
• Community Voting: October 5–15, 2026
• Winners Announced: October 20, 2026
• T-Shirts Available for Purchase: November 1–December 31, 2026

Ready to Participate?

This contest is open to everyone—students, hobbyists, professional artists, and first-time creators alike. We can't wait to see your creativity and celebrate the incredible artistic talent throughout our community.

Design it. Share it. Vote for it. Wear it.

The Fine Print

• The Sumter County Gallery of Art reserves the right to remove entries that do not meet the guidelines or contain inappropriate content
• Winning artists will receive a free t-shirt with their design

• Maximum number of entries per person (e.g., up to 3 designs)
• Collaborative designs must name all persons involved