UW's shirt design contest blends art with fundraising

Students at the University of Washington are hoping to soon turn that humble mainstay of campus fashion — the T-shirt — into a charitable work of art.

Beginning today, students will be invited to enter a competition to design "The Husky Tee." The winner gets a quarter's worth of in-state tuition and books, valued at $2,300 — not to mention the satisfaction of seeing hundreds of students wearing their artwork.

T-shirts featuring the winning design will be sold on campus and online, with proceeds going to an emergency fund to help UW students who face a sudden life crisis such as a major medical disaster.

The Husky Tee represents the first big fundraiser led by UW students, and organizers hope to repeat the competition each year. It is modeled on similar programs at other universities, such as the Shirt Project at the University of Notre Dame, which raises $500,000 annually for students.

"We're looking for a design which shows what it means to attend, given we have such a rich tradition of athletics, student involvement and academics," said Cullen White, the UW student-body president and one of four student leaders who came up with the idea. "It will have to be something incredibly aesthetically pleasing and creative."

White said the T-shirts will sell for $15, and about $5 to $7 will go to the charitable fund. Students will have until March 27 to submit a design. A committee of students and staff will select the winner by April 2, and T-shirts will go on sale later that month.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com