“Encouraging students to explore the arts for fun and recognition”

It’s here! Reflections 2023! We’ve got a great theme this year…

I am Hopeful Because...

 Artwork must be emailed no later than November 1st to be considered.

ENTRY RULES and FORM

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition.

The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.

Young artists get involved through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are: Visual Arts Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.

Young artists get involved through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The seven art areas are:

• Literature – works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
• Music Composition – original musical composition, with or without words.
• Photography: color or black and white, included techniques: photogram, negative sandwich, and multiple exposure.
• Visual Arts 2D: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.
• Visual Arts 3D: Architecture carpentry, ceramics, crafts, design, dioramas, fiber work, jewelry, kites, dioramas, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, sculpture and wind chimes.
• Film/Video: original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
• Choreography/Dance: originally choreographed dance composition.

The National PTA special artist division is an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). Generally, rules and guidelines within the special artists division are intended to ensure accessibility to the National PTA Reflections® program and are modeled after the guidelines outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Participation is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The grade divisions are:

• Primary: Preschool – Grade 2
• Intermediate: Grades 3 – 5
• Middle School: Grades 6 – 8
• High School: Grades 9 – 12

Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. The program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local, council, state, and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local level and selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. If a PTA is a member of a council, they will send the chosen entries to the council program according to the guidelines established by their council. If a PTA is not a member of a council, they will submit their entries directly to Washington State PTA.

Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select one entry (Outstanding Interpretation Award) per grade division, per arts category (a total of 30) to submit to the National PTA. National first, second, and third place, and honorable mention entries are recognized at the National PTA Annual Convention.

All PTAs/PTSAs in good standing may sponsor the program. Students may only submit entries through a PTA/PTSA. Parent groups not affiliated with the National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.

Questions? Check the PTA boards, Comet & Challenger PTA newsletters and calendars for information & updates or go to the state website: https://www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/reflections/

Theme? The theme is determined by National PTA. Students may find more information under “Theme Search” on the state website. New every year!

Entry Rules and Forms

Questions:   Reflections Chair at challengerreflections@gmail.com