Don’t Be Trashy: UDC Seeks Artists for Annual Litter Sweep Shirt

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) is calling on both amateur and professional artists to participate in a design contest for the 2025 Upper Delaware Litter Sweep commemorative t-shirt. The theme for this year’s design is “Don’t Be Trashy!”—a slogan that aims to raise awareness about litter prevention and promote environmental responsibility in the communities surrounding the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
For the first time, the UDC is holding an artwork contest to emphasize litter prevention in an effort to educate against improper disposal of garbage before it becomes a blight on the river valley landscape and migrates into the waterways.

The winning design will be featured on bright safety-colored t-shirts with the “Don’t Be Trashy!” slogan. Both amateur and professional artists are welcome to compete for bragging rights, a free shirt, and publicity.

Stephanie Driscoll, Program Director for the UDC, appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the artwork contest.

Artwork specifications for screen-printing optimization are as follows:

Hand-drawn designs must be submitted on a white 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper with crisp, clean, and smooth lines, and no shading

Computer based designs must be drawn in high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) or vector file with all images embedded and fonts outlined.

For both styles, incorporate the slogan text and there is a limit of using four colors per overall image.

Submit entries by 4 p.m. on Feb. 14 to stephanie@upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Include the artist’s name, complete contact information, and social media handle.

Call (845) 252-3022 with any questions.

The 5th Annual Upper Delaware Litter Sweep will take place for the entire Earth Day month of April to provide flexibility for the New York and Pennsylvania communities surrounding the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River to schedule their land-based, volunteer-powered trash pick-ups.

Image: UDC 2024 Chairperson Ginny Dudko has volunteered for every year of the Upper Delaware Litter Sweep, shown here in 2022 with trash collected near the Mongaup Fishing Access in the Town of Deerpark. (Credit: Upper Delaware Council)