Cabarrus Today

ClearWater Coordinator, Sarah Gay, expressed that "ClearWater is a place where people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds and ages can come together and find community through the activity of art." The T-shirt design contest, in partnership with Studio Print Shop, aims to connect with diverse communities across the city and region, fostering creativity and inclusivity.

The initiative is made possible by a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council and the Cabarrus Arts Council. ClearWater Arts Center hopes that the contest will provide a platform for aspiring artists to showcase their talent and convey messages of community and creativity.

Studio Print Shop, a Concord-based apparel printing company, will assist in promoting the contest and printing the winning designs. Their vision is centered around creating a community that believes in people's innate creativity and producing designs that speak to the heart and soul.

Residents aged 15 and older from Cabarrus, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanley, and Union counties are eligible to participate in the contest. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2024, with a public voting period scheduled for May. The winning designs will be announced on May 24, 2024.

An informational meeting for interested artists and designers will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Main Gallery of Clear Water Arts Center & Studios in Concord. More details, including contest rules and the application, can be found on the ClearWater Arts Center website.