A contest has been launched to create a design for T-shirts and hoodies for this year’s Survive the Sanatorium Haunted House in Livingston County.
The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts also is seeking volunteer scare actors for its second annual haunted house, which will be held in a historic 1930s tuberculosis hospital in Mount Morris.
For the Official 2026 Merch Design Contest, artists are encouraged to create designs that capture this year’s “Blood Ward” theme, which tells the story of a fictional 1930 vampire containment facility with dim hallways, ongoing operations and mysterious experiments with theatrical horror. Designs also should reflect the vintage medical setting and include vampires.
Artwork must be original; use of AI is prohibited.
The winning design will be printed on a dark or black shirt. Submissions may include up to three colors and text such as “Survive the Sanatorium,” “Blood Ward,” GVCA, Arts Alive or creative wording.
Submit designs at https://bit.ly/4aEJS10. The contest ends July 30.
People who would like to volunteer as scare actors may select their available dates at https://www.jotform.com/form/260365374652056. Costumes and makeup will be provided. Volunteers receive a free comp ticket and raffle entry. For questions, contact Natalie at info@gvartscouncil.org.
The haunted house will raise funds for the Keep the Arts Alive campaign, which helps the council provide arts and cultural events in the region.
For more information and updates, follow @gvarts online. For inquiries, contact info@gvartscouncil.org.
Survive the Sanatorium Haunted House
Where: 4 Murray Hill Drive, Mount Morris, Livingston County.
When: 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
Tickets: $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Sales begin Sept 1.
Family Fright Night: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30, featuring a less scary haunted house for small children. Games and trunk-or-treating also will be on hand. It will be open to the public with a suggested donation of $10.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: This creepy contest could put your art on a T-shirt
Reporting by Laura Nichols, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Laura Nichols, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
