Alston Ridge Middle School
REFLECTIONS
2022-23
What is Reflections?
The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for PreK-12 grade students. It offers these students opportunities to express themselves creatively in six different art categories and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme.
The National PTA Special Artist Division is an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program.
The arts—and the National PTA® Reflections program—support student success and serve as
a valuable tool for engaging families and building strong partnerships in the school community.
Founded in 1969, Reflections engages over 300,000 students and their families in arts education
activities each year by encouraging students to explore the arts for fun and recognition
Watch this short video introducing Reflections
This year's theme is
"Show Your Voice" is the theme for the 2022-23 Reflections Art Program, which was submitted by Jason Yevin, from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York.
Find inspiration for your Reflections entries with the 2022-2023 Reflections Call for Entries video.
Categories
Enter as many pieces in as many categories as you want! Click each category below to view the rules specific to each one. Be sure you read the rules for any category you want to enter before you create your piece and follow all the rules to avoid disqualification.
Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages,
photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), computer-generated image, crafts,
design, dioramas, drawing, fiberwork, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles,
painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes. Reproductions or enlargements of other
artwork are not accepted.
Prose, Poetry, Drama, Reflective essay, Narrative, Short story Not to exceed 2,000 words.
By focusing on
objects using various lenses, filters and light sources, photographers may demonstrate the
use of photographic techniques conventionally or digitally.
Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. All screenwriting, directing and editing must be done by the student producer.
Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Folk Dance, Religious Dance, Dance Ensembles (color guard/indoor guard), Ice Skating/Dancing and Gymnastics-floor Routine.
A Cappella, Blues, Choral, Country, Electronic, Hip hop, Jazz, Latin, Musical, Orchestral, Pop, R&B, Religious, Rock, Symphonic/Concert Band and Traditional.
The National PTA Special Artist Division is an option for students
with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. The Special Artist Division offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure that every student has the chance to be part of the National PTA Reflections® program.
Judging
Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division.
All entries are due by October 28th. Once all entries are submitted, a virtual blind judging will be held. Each piece will be scored based on creativity, technique and interpretation of the theme. Your Artist Statement will play a big part in how the judge determines your understanding and interpretation of the theme, Show Your Voice.
All PTA Reflections program entries are judged on three criteria:
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Interpretation of Theme (40 pts.) How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork itself and the artist statement.
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Creativity (30 pts.) How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation.
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Technical Skill (30 pts.) The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.
Help Getting Started...
Check out these at-home Reflections inspired activities to help encourage families to create together!
Get Inspired
Wondering what a winning entry looks like? Check out the 2021-22 Reflections gallery of winners for the theme "I Will Change the World By...".
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How To Enter
All entries are due by October 28th, 2022.
NOTE : You must be a student member with PTSA to be eligible to enter. This is a new rule starting this year.
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Please read and follow the rules for your category above, as well as the Official Rules ( read the first 2 pages), before you create your piece so you are sure to work within the guidelines.
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All entries will be digital this year. For Film, Music, and Dance you will be uploading your digital recording (check the category rules for size limits, type, etc). For Literature, you will upload a PDF of your piece (please convert or scan the piece; do not photograph it). For Photography you will upload your final, edited digital photograph.
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For Visual Arts, you will need to take a good photograph of it. Parents may help with this. You want the photograph to capture all necessary detail and represent your work well. It's best to take the picture outside on a nice day for best lighting. For 2D pieces, you will only submit one photo. For 3D pieces, you will submit 3 photos from different angles.
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Please follow the proper file naming directions before uploading and rename your entries as needed. This helps us pair which art piece belongs to which student and will help keep us organized. It is basically Category-Division-LastName-FirstName so if Jane Smith in 6th grade paints a picture (Visual Arts), the file she uploads would be named VA-MID-SMITH-JANE. Grades 6-8 are Middle (MID) Division. Category abbreviations are DANCE, FILM, LIT, MUSIC, PHOTO, VA AND SA. Note the specific directions if you are entering more than one piece per category or for 3D Visual Arts where you have to send 3 photos. View the file naming guidelines here.
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Each student will need to write an Artist Statement, 10 to 100 words about their piece and how it relates to the theme, Show Your Voice. Remember, interpretation of the theme is worth 40% of your score by the judges, so be sure to put a lot of thought into your Artist Statement.
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Have your digital files ready, as well as your completed Artist Statement before completing the form below and read and follow the three submission steps. A signature of a parent/guardian is required. You will only be able to upload one file per submission. For 3D Visual Arts submissions, please email all 3 pictures required to ArtReflections@armsptsa.org.
You will need to fill out a separate submission form for each entry.
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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. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. See the specific arts category rules and special artist division rules above for details.
For any questions or issues, contact ARMS Reflections at ArtReflections@armsptsa.org.
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Please CLICK HERE to fill out the form and upload your entries. Remember that all entries are due by October 28th, 2022. You will be asked to log in and verify google account setting.
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Have a great idea for the next Reflections theme? Choose a Theme for the 2024-2025 Reflections Program! Help National PTA pick the theme idea that will spark fun and creativity during the 2024-2025 Reflections program! The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 prize from National PTA. Students may submit up to 5 entries. More information is here. The deadline is October 31, 2022.