County Health Department Seeking Artists For LA-Branded Condom Campaign

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — L.A. artists have a chance to share their work in the most intimate of settings.

Los Angeles County health officials are launching "L.A.'s Next Sex Symbol," a contest to find photos or artwork that will be featured on packaging for an official Los Angeles-branded condom.

The top 10 designs will appear on 1 million condoms to be distributed free throughout the county by the end of the year.

The contest and Los Angeles-branded condom is an effort to increase use, drive awareness of HIV and STD prevention and provide information about HIV/AIDS and STD treatment and care.

The top 50 designs will be chosen by Public Health's Division of HIV and STD Programs' community advisory board. From the top 50, the public will have a chance to vote for the grand prize winner, runners-up and finalists, who will receive donated prizes.

The winners will be announced June 27.

Design submissions cannot infringe on trademarks, including Los Angeles sports teams or famous landmarks such as the Hollywood sign or the City Hall building. Entries that are considered obscene or vulgar will also be disqualified.

Artists submitting an idea for "L.A.'s Next Sex Symbol" must be 18 or older and a resident in Los Angeles County.

A complete list of rules, guidelines and ways to submit a design is at www.LASexSymbol.com. The deadline is June 17.