Visit Haywood Annual T-Shirt Contest

2026 T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST

Capture the unparalleled beauty of Haywood County’s corner of the Western NC Mountains with the Annual Visit Haywood T-Shirt Design Contest! 

Haywood County-based artists (ages 18+) are invited to throw their hats in the ring for a shot at winning a $500 prize and a T-shirt featuring their design to be sold at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center, in our online store, and at Mast General Store in Downtown Waynesville (not to mention the bragging rights). Tap into what you love most about Haywood County to craft a design everyone from visitors to locals will be proud to flaunt!

This year, spectators are encouraged to participate in two rounds of voting as the crowd-favorite designs rise to the top! The voting form will open once submission period closes. 

Here’s the 2026 timeline:

  • Submission portal opens: February 25, 9:00 AM EST
  • Submission portal closes: March 22, 11:59 PM EST 
  • Voting, Round 1: March 27 – April 22, 11:59 PM EST
  • Voting, Round 2 (Top 5 Finalists): April 29 – May 13, 11:59 PM EST
  •  Voting verification & winner selection: May 21
  • Shirts in store: July. 

For Artists

Review contest guidelines in full here

View base T-shirt colors here. These should help guide the colors of your design!

Submit your design(s) HERE or by clicking the button below. 

For Spectators

Still sketching…

Come back on Friday, March 27, 2026 to view this year’s designs and vote your favorite through the second round!

2025 Contest Hall of Fame

In the 2025 T-Shirt Design Contest, Visit Haywood was honored to receive 17 unique designs by 12 talented local artists. Check out the winning design and runners-up below!

1st Place Winner

JAMES_TShirt-Design_2025

Light of the Mountains

By AJ James

2025’s winning design, “Light of the Mountains” by AJ James, received additional exposure at Mast General Store in Downtown Waynesville, receiving two runs in both short and long-sleeve shirts! 

2nd Place

Morning Commute

By Jillian Ohl

3RD Place (TIE)

Majestic

By Sony Hatcher
 

3RD PLACE (TIE)

The Whistle Pigs

By Jillian Ohl
 

4TH PLACE

The Outdoors

By David Suriano