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.  This program encourages students to explore an idea, centered around a theme in visual arts, photography, dance choreography, film making, literature, or music composition. 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. 

 

Your child doesn’t have to be a protégé of Monet,

Gene Kelly or Steven Spielberg to participate…

Reflections is for everyone! 

 

2020-2021 REFLECTIONS ART PROGRAM THEME

 

This Year's Theme is I Matter Because...

 The annual Reflections theme is created by a student and selected two years in advance through our annual theme search contest. This year’s theme was submitted by a then 1st grader, Rylee Stier, who drew inspiration from her town being impacted by the CA wildfires of 2018.  

With the call for meaningful steps to dismantle structural racism, this theme provides new meaning and an opportunity to engage and elevate the voices of students of color. This is a priority, now more than ever, and National PTA is committed to standing behind our beliefs and mission to make every child’s potential a reality. 

 

MESSAGE FROM ISSAQUAH PTSA COUNCIL REFLECTIONS CHAIRS

The Issaquah PTSA Council Reflections team is committed to supporting all student artists. We acknowledge that this year’s theme may be triggering for many students.

We have furthered the concerns of the students to State level leaders of PTSA. To that end, we would like to suggest ways to make the Reflections program inclusive to all artists:

  • Encourage artists to think of the theme as “I am valuable because” or “I am strong because”.
  • Encourage artists to make art in direct response to the theme. An interpretation that protests the theme, is still an interpretation of that theme.
  • Include an explanation of the students’ concerns about the theme on schools websites and share with the judging community.
  • Remind students that art is a powerful way to make a statement. Artists reflect the world and have the power to change hearts and minds.

As District chairs, we do not have the power to rewrite the theme. Choosing to run our own contest is also not an option, as we are required to provide a Reflections Program as part of our affiliation with the National PTSA. We also want all of our artists to have the opportunity to be considered for recognition at the state and national level.

We appreciate our students coming to us in good faith and with a clear, reasoned, bridge building approach to this issue.

Sincerely,
Kristen Allen-Bentsen
Heather Bratton
Leah Gibson

  

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

All entries must be submitted electronically to reflections@apollopta.org with completed entry form by due date.  If moving on to the next level, you will be required to submit the physical piece in accordance to the submissions guidelines outlined in the rules. If for any reason you have difficulty submitting electronically please contact us as soon as possible for help.

We suggest submitting early to allow time for the Refections committee to review images and verify quality to allow for the best judging possible.  

 

Entries Due: Monday, October 26, 2020, 8:00PM


Finalists Announced:  Monday, Nov 9th, 6:00PM

 

Important Things to Keep in Mind:

- All finalist will be asked to deliver their artwork to the Reflections Chair between 11/10-11/13 to allow timely deliver of the advancing artwork to the District level.

- Please note this year all judging at the school level will be done digitally. We suggest submitting early to allow time for the Refections committee to view images and verify quality to allow for the best judging possible. 

- Once submissions are collected, they will be on "display" for a limited time in the Apollo PTA Reflections Online Gallery. 

- Please contact the 2020 Apollo PTA Reflections Chair, Amita Nair if you have any questions at reflections@apollopta.org. 

- We encourage entries in all categories. For information about special artists please contact the Apollo PTA Special Needs Coordinator, Kimbie Pope at reflections@apollopta.org.

 

ENGLISH: 2020 ENTRY FORM
 

General Rules

 

It is important that all students follow the rules laid out by the Reflections program and that entry forms be filled out completely and signed by a parent or guardian to avoid being disqualified. 

Please review the GENERAL RULES. 

Questions?  Contact reflections@apollopta.org.

 

ART CATEGORIES

 

Dance Choreography

Originally choreographed dance composition.

Dance Rules

Music Composition

Original musical composition, with or without words.

Music Rules

Film Production

Original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.

Film Rules

Photography

Prints up to 11 x 14 inches in color or black and white, including techniques: photogram, retouched, montage, sandwich and multiple exposure.

Photography Rules

Literature

Works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.

Literature Rules

Visual Arts 2D/3D

Drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.

Visual Arts Rules

 

 

 

Special Artist Division

 

Qualifying students entering this non-graded division create their own artwork, but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult.

Special Artist Rules