2023-2024 Call For Entries

Theme: "I am hopeful because..."

I am hopeful because

Unit/Council Finalist Entries are due to the 31st District Office on: TBD

About Reflections

The Reflections Art Program which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. And California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.

Reflections encourages students of all ages to:

Unleash creative talents and be inspired

Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork

Experience the fun and joy of making art

Tap into critical-thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme

Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.

All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas.

Artworks are submitted first to local unit PTAs. Unit PTAs then choose a selection of entries, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration.

The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit.

Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

To learn more, find resources and forms you can visit:

Reflections Presentation Slides: OLD LOGO - 2022 REFLECTIONS CAPTA WORKSHOP.pptx

California State PTA Reflections

National PTA Reflections

Rules

  • For Music Composition: Students can submit music notation OR a written reflective statement that provides technical explanation.
    • What creative & musical decisions did the student make to achieve the final version?
    • How were the musical elements developed?
    • What equipment (if any) was used?
    • What sounds and/or musical ideas were used to represent certain ideas or emotions?
    • How were the student's creative and musical decisions influenced by their expertise, context and expressive intent?
  • For Dance /Film: Students can submit in .mp4, .mov, or .avi format
  • For Photography: The photo can be of writing, but no additional writing can be added using editing software, then it becomes a visual arts submission instead.

REMINDERS:

  • All submissions must include an artist statement (Interpretation of theme is the highest weighed element of judging)!
  • Submissions must be ORIGINAL (created for this program and theme),
  • Submissions must be by only ONE STUDENT (although others may appear in the work)
  • Guidelines must be followed

CATEGORY RULES/GUIDELINES:

 

JUDGING CRITERIA:

  1. Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement. 
  2. Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. 
  3. Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

Judges strongly consider the interpretation of the Reflections theme during the evaluation process. It is suggested that students give their submissions a title that stands out and describes how the piece relates to the student’s personal interpretation of the theme. The following guiding questions can be useful when developing a title and artist statement: 

  • How does your work relate to the theme?
  • What is your personal connection to the theme?
  • What did you use to create your work (e.g., supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)
  • What/who was your inspiration?

State & National Prizes & Recognition

The Top 2 winners per category, per grade division, will be submitted for PTA Reflections 31st District judging.

LOCAL: Submissions will be recognized, celebrated and judged at Reed, while a non-judged Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. Reed participants will receive a participation and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons.  
Top entries per category will be sent to the 31st District for consideration for submission to California State PTA, and will be featured in the 31st District Reflections Event.

DISTRICT: Top judged submissions in each categoety will receive recognition at the 31st District Reflections Event, medals and certificates, and will then go on to represent 31st District in the CA State PTA judging round. 

STATE LEVEL:

Outstanding Interpretation honorees receive:

  • Onstage recognition at the California State PTA Annual Convention
  • The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery
  • Prizes including an Outstanding Interpretation plaque, award and certificate

Award of Excellence honorees receive:

  • The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery
  • Prizes including an Award of Excellence medallion, award and certificate

Award of Merit honorees receive:

  • The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery
  • Prizes including an Award of Merit medallion and certificate

Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

NATIONAL LEVEL:

Outstanding Interpretation honorees:

  • Are recognized with an expense-paid trip for the awardee and chaperone to showare work on state at the National PTA Convention
  • $800 Young Artist Scholarship
  • Gold Medal
  • Certificate for Outstanding Interpretation, will have their work featured in the traveling exhibition, and will win a $200 prize for Reed PTSA.

Award of Excellence winners:

  • Will win a $200 Young Artist Scholarship;
  • Silver Medal
  • Certificiate of Excellence
  • Will have their work featured in the traveling exhibition.

Visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships at https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/awards