Reflections is a National PTA arts in education program. The program was started in 1969 and is the largest arts 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 that changes each year. This year’s theme is Show Your Voice!
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 well-being. Get more information about the National PTA Reflections program.
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Categories | Divisions | Judging | Key Dates
Student Entry Forms | Resources for Local PTAs
Advancing Local Entries to Council
2022-2023 Winners | Past Winners
Reflections Categories
Lake Washington PTSA Council’s Reflections program welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Young artists submit their original artwork to their respective local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six categories:
Dance Choreography — Originally choreographed dance composition
Film/Video Production — Original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary experimental or multimedia
Literature — Original works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories or lyrics
Music Composition — Original musical composition, with or without words
Photography — Color or black and white. Included techniques: Photogram, negative sandwich or multiple exposure
Visual Arts — Drawing; painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor or T-shirt paints; computer-generated art; two-dimensional collage; printmaking; needlework; leather tooling. We are accepting ONLY 2D visual art.
Reflections Divisions
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
Additionally, the 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 ADA. Local PTA chairs should verify that artists meet this criteria before judging.
Judging
While the primary focus of Reflections is a celebration of creativity through positive recognition, finalists from local PTAs may advance to Council, then Council-level finalists will advance to Washington State PTA judging. State finalists who receive an “Outstanding Interpretation” award will advance to the National PTA round.
Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme.
2022-2023 Key Dates
- Monday, September 19, 2022 (7 to 8:30 pm) — LWPTSA Council’s Kick-Off Orientation Meeting
- Thursday, November 10, 2022 — If your PTA/PTSA is not in good standing (defined by WSPTA) by this date, Council will not accept your entries. Only PTAs in good standing may participate in Reflections (SOA requirement). You may want to double-check with your president right away to confirm your PTA is in good standing.
> Register your PTA to let National PTA know your PTA is participating in Reflections. - Wednesday, November 16, 2022 (Before 10 pm) — Local chairs must finish submission of advancing entries to Council no later than 10 pm on this date. Late entries will not be accepted. Please do not wait until the evening of the 16th to submit your entries.
- Tuesday, December 6, 2022 — Council judging process
- Thursday, January 5, 2023 — Target date to announce Council winners
- Thursday, January 19, 2023 — Council entries due to WSPTA
- Friday, January 20, 2023 – Open house (finalist celebration)
- Late March 2023 — Results of WSPTA Reflections competition announced
- May 1, 2023 — Results of National PTA Reflections competition announced
2022-2023 Student Entry Information
- Student Entry Packet (DOCX) (“how to enter” & rules) — Local Reflections chairs: Complete the highlighted information in this document before sharing with your students.
- Student Entry Form | en español (fillable PDF) — Local Reflections chairs: Complete the PTA information in the shaded box in this document before sharing with your students.
- Local PTAs’ National ID Numbers (PDF) — Needed to pre-fill entry forms
- Rules for Each Category (PDF):
Program Resources for PTAs
- Reflections General Program Flyer (PDF) (In English & en español)
- 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Poster | en español (PDF)
- Judges’ Guide (PDF)
- Volunteer Thank You Letter Template (DOCX)
- Student Certificate Template (DOCX)
- National PTA Reflections Promo Reel (YouTube video)
- National PTA 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Call for Entries (YouTube video)
- Local PTAs’ National ID Numbers (PDF) — Needed to pre-fill entry forms
Contact Us
2022-2023 LWPTSA Reflections Chair(s): POSITION OPEN
Questions? Contact Council’s Reflections team at reflections {at} lwptsa.net. Local PTAs’ Reflections Chairs are also welcome to join our LWPTSA Council Reflections Chairs Facebook Group, where members can share ideas and ask questions.