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NOLS seeks artist to design Summer Reading T-shirt, tote

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 21, 2026

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Photo courtesy NOLS
Local artist Kaisa Lemley designed the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge T-shirt and tote bag. Artists interested in creating the 2026 design must apply by Feb. 9.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is seeking to hire an artist to design a graphic for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge T-shirt and tote bag. Applicants should complete the online form at NOLS.org/T-Shirt and share examples of prior artwork, ideally including an example of a one-color graphic.

Submissions are due Monday, Feb. 9.

The selected artist will receive a $500 stipend to create a new design inspired by the 2026 program theme “Plant a Seed, Read.” Rooted in the farm-to-table concept, the theme highlights how a farm grows food that nourishes our bodies, and a library grows ideas that nourish our minds.

During NOLS’ Summer Reading Challenge, participants who read for 30 days can choose a T-shirt or tote bag featuring the new design. Some readers have been collecting the limited-edition shirts every year since they were first introduced as prizes in 2016. The tote bag option was added in 2025.

The all-ages challenge is designed to make it fun to track personal reading goals and to keep kids excited about reading while school is out, complementing the library’s lineup of theme-based summer programs.