REFLECTIONS is a nationwide arts appreciation and recognition program for students. It is sponsored by the National PTA, and it takes place in the Fall. Every year there is a new theme for the competition, which is chosen from student-suggested ideas.

The theme for the 2022-2023 school year is: "Show Your Voice..."

It is very important, that the artworks relate to the theme! The participants need to write a 10-100 word artist statement to go with their art piece, which tells the judges how the theme inspired their artwork, or how their artwork is related to the theme. 

Deadline for entry submission is Thursday, October 20, 2022. 

Entry Requirements — (All participants must also follow Arts Category and Division Rules) — Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. See the specific Arts Category Rules for details. Each entry must contain a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist's statement communicates what inspired the work, and how it relates to the theme and the content of the work. The statement must include at least one sentence but may not exceed 100 words.  Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for recorded music in dance choreography and film production entries. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. The use of PowerPoint presentations is prohibited because most graphic elements are copyrighted. All entries must be submitted via this online form and must not exceed 1GB in file size.

Students may submit entries in the following categories: 

      • Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer-generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission. 3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging, and exhibition purposes.
      • Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrants must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
      • Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental, or media presentation. The use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrants must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
      • Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrants must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, ACC, FLAC. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions.
      • Photography: Photos must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposures, negative sandwich, and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG.
      • Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screenplay and play script, narrative, and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: PDF file.
      • Special Artist: Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. See Official Rules for details.

Grade Divisions: Students may enter the National PTA Reflections Program in the appropriate division for their grade. 

      • Primary: PreK - Grade 2
      • Intermediate: Grades 3 - 5
      • Middle School: Grades 6 - 8
      • Special Artist: Ungraded 

A few important documents (click to download them): 

  • General Rules
  • Consent Form (Required only if your entry has a face or a voice with the submission. Each person whose voice or face is included in the entry must complete a waiver.)

***PLEASE BE SURE TO READ AND FOLLOW THE REFLECTIONS RULES CAREFULLY!**

Every child who enters the competition at our school will be recognized. This is a great chance for kids to express themselves artistically!  

Choreograph a dance, produce a film, write a poem or story, compose a song, take a picture, or create a piece of visual art and tell us your interpretation of the theme: “Show Your Voice...”

Discover your world and explore new cultures or your own through dance, film, literature, music, photography, or visual arts.  No experience is required to participate in Reflections! Choose the arts category you're interested in, create an original piece of artwork based on the theme, and be recognized as an artist in your community.

The top three entries in each category and grade division will continue on to the District Level to compete against entries from other schools. Students may enter multiple categories. We look forward to enjoying the creativity of our very talented Portola Springs students! 

We will celebrate all artists who turn in artwork for the Reflections competition at Portola Springs, and a gallery will also showcase the works at the school. 

If you have any questions, please contact reflections@portolaspringspta.org.