Fleisher and Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s oldest public markets, are excited to partner for the second annual design competition of the market’s reusable tote bags. The winning design, created by a Fleisher student, teaching artist, or member, will be featured on 10,000 bags, which are sold by the market’s many vendors. Artwork should reflect the spirit of the market and its legacy as it celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. A full history of the market is available online.

Pictured above is Fleisher student Amy Junod-Placentra’s winning design from the 2016 iteration of this competition, which marked the first redesign of the market’s bag in four years. Placentra, a Temple University graduate, said her family has deep Philly roots, “just like Reading Terminal Market – so I drew from that as inspiration for the bag design.” She said she also wanted to reference the labeling traditionally found on fresh produce by using a stencil-like quality in the design.

The competition is open to current Fleisher members as well as teaching artists and students who have taught or taken, respectively, at least one class at Fleisher from April 3, 2016, to the opening of the competition, April 3, 2017. The winner, selected by a small jury comprising three representatives from Reading Terminal Market and three from Fleisher, will receive a cash prize of $1,000. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the bags will benefit Fleisher’s children and youth programming. Please note that all artwork must be digital in nature, comprising vector graphics that can be reproduced and resized without degradation.

We will begin accepting entries on Monday, April 3. Entries can be submitted through midnight, May 15. Eligible artists may enter up to five designs.

For more, including technical information, a full competition timeline, and to submit visit the competition’s Submittable page. For questions or additional information, please contact Dominic Mercier, Communications Director, at dmercier@fleisher.org.