2022-2023 Reflections Program - "Show Your Voice"

Reflections is a National PTA art in education program. The program was started in 1969 and is the largest arts in education program of its kind in the United States. Students have the opportunity to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works created around a theme. Reflections is not “just an art contest.”  It helps kids take risks, be inspired, think creatively and be celebrated for their creativity and work. Studies have shown there is a positive relationship between the arts and wellbeing. Get more information about Reflections Art Program (wastatepta.org)

Gallery 

Thank each one of the participants for making the 2021-22 Reflections Program a success!  2021-2022 Reflections Program Gallery

How to Participate in the 2022-2023 Reflections Program

• Step1 – Read the 2022-2023 Reflections Program Check List carefully

 *Note: According to the guidance from Lake Washington PTSA Council, we cannot accept 3D artwork for the 2022-2023 Reflections program.

• Step2 – Electronically submit students’ art works together with completed & signed 2022-2023 Reflections Entry Form to reflections@evergreenptsa.org before Friday, October 21, 2022.

*Note: Please do not wait until deadline to submit your art work. After deadline (October 21, 2022) we will not accept any student’s art works for the 2022-2023 Reflections program. Your cooperation will be highly appreciated!

Specifications to the 2022-23 Program

• Visual Arts – 3D art is not being accepted this year; only 2D entries are allowed. Examples of 3D: architecture carpentry, ceramics, jewelry, kites, dioramas, mobiles, etc.
• Visual Arts – 2D: size and thickness

• •  Maximum size is 24” x 30” (includes matting).
  •  Thickness is ½” (includes matting) It is no longer 3/8”.

• Photography: minimum and maximum sizes of photo

• • Minimum size is 3” x 5”
  • Maximum size is 8” x 10”
  • Photo + Mat is no bigger than 11” x 14”

If entries advance to National PTA, the physical artwork will be collected and must meet these criteria!

Music, Film and Dance: Rules still have CDs and DVDs as an option for submitting entry. It is hard to find CD and DVD players these days. So, USBs are preferred.

Preparing/Verifying Entries

1. “Content rules” must be followed or the entry is disqualified – if local PTA has questions or can’t determine if the content complies with the rules, you may be asked to submit the physical art piece (for example, if it looks like a painting may have 3-D elements that make it more than ½” thick, or a photograph that might be a collage vs. a photo montage).
2. “Packaging Rules” (plastic sleeves and labeling of visual arts/photos) will only need to be followed if an entry is selected to go on to National PTA, and some “packaging rules” (multiple printed copies of literature entries, thumb drives for music/film/dance) may not be relevant at all this year!
3. Please take good care of your artwork as it may be requested/required to be submitted for entries are advancing! It will need to be in the same form it was in when the digital image was submitted in October!

Reflections Categories and Divisions

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:

• • 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 - drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.
  • Film/Video - original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
  • Choreography/Dance - originally choreographed dance composition.
  • Participation is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. The grade division for Evergreen Middle School students is Middle School: Grades 6 – 8
  • Special Artist Division - 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). Complete details are included in the 22-23_WSPTA-special-artist-division-rules_reflections.pdf (wastatepta.org)

Carefully read the rules for your category, linked above. 

Tips and Judging

Judges will consider the following criteria:

1. 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?

Key Dates

• • Friday, October 21, 2022 – deadline for Evergreen Middle School students to electronically submit entries to reflections@evergreenptsa.org
  • October 21,2022 - November 8,2022 – Evergreen PTSA judging process
  • December 19,2022– Date for Evergreen Middle School winner's announcement
  • TBD – target date for Lake Washington PTSA Council winner's announcement
  • TBD – results of WSPTA Reflections competition announced
  • TBD – results of National PTA Reflections competition announced

2022-23 Achievement

2022-23 Evergreen Middle School Reflections Program Winner

The following students' artwork will advance to the LWPTSA Council for the next round of judging. Below students please keep your artwork safe for the next round and display.