RETAIL / TOURISM : Wet Seal Clothing Chain Designs Art Contest Tailored to the Disabled

Q: How do you paint a wet seal?

A: With watercolors.

Wet Seal Inc., Irvine-based purveyor of trendy clothing for young women, has invited artists with mental or physical disabilities to enter a drawing contest. The drawing can be of any subject, but Wet Seal suggests such themes as popular or obscure holidays, historical or current women’s fashions, the Wet Seal name and seals.

The contest is open to all ages. Watercolor paintings, pen-and-ink sketches or pastel drawings are eligible.

Ken Chilvers, president of the 97-store chain, said he hopes the contest will allow Wet Seal to further the careers of “some talented and perhaps unsung artists whose commitment and perseverance deserve to be publicly recognized.”

The top prize for the contest is $500 in cash; second prize is $250 and third prize is $150. There also will be smaller cash awards and gift certificates for honorable mentions.

Entries must be received by May 31.

For more details, call the company at (714) 583-9029.