PTA Reflections Art Program

“Show Your Voice” is the theme for the 2022-2023 school year.

Every year students from all over the country participate in the National Reflections Art Program. Students create original works of art in as many of the categories as they choose: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music, Photography and Visual Art.

Prizes, certificates and ribbons are given to top entries. Award of Excellence entries move on to Lewisville ISD Council of PTAs Reflections. From there, a small percentage move on to the Texas PTA (State) and National PTA levels.

All entrants must have a current Bridlewood PTA member in their household for this school year. Click HERE to renew or join the PTA.

Reflections resources

Check out the album of students advancing to National PTA.

Visit the 2021-2022 Reflections Gallery to see examples of entries that were awarded by Texas PTA in past years. 

important Information

The National PTA Reflections Program is America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind. Reflections welcomes students of all grade levels (Pre-K to 12th) and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Students are encouraged to reflect on the common theme and create original artistic works in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. 

Key Points:

  • There is no limit on the number of entries per student as long as the rules are followed.
  • Program Rules                  English | Spanish
  • Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form linked above.
  • Reflect the current theme in each entry.
  • Guidelines and requirements must be met or the entry will not be judged (see the program rules above).
  • Submit completed entries in person or ONLINE (info updated here in the Fall).
  • Entry Deadline: October 29th (SUBMIT HERE(coming soon))
  • Please email us with any questions at  [email protected] 

“What do we win? Is this a contest?”

Judging:

  • This is not technically a contest. It is truly a program hosted by PTAs (local, council, state and national), run by volunteers, created to give students a forum to explore the arts and expand their interests and talents.
  • Entries are judged by local professionals volunteering their time and talents.
  • Elementary age divisions are Primary: K-2 and Intermediate: 3-5 and Special Artist (for students who qualify)
  • Entries are divided into Age Division then Art Category. Judges base decisions on the artist statement explaining how well the concept fits the theme, mastery of the medium (or how well students used the materials) and the overall creativity. *A well developed concept is more important than technique.*
  • Students are individually judged on their entry and not in comparison to the other students so there can be mulitple awards given within the groups.

Awards:

  • Ribbons and certificates will be given for the following awards (a percentage of entries receive awards):
    • Award of Excellence (blue ribbon)
    • Award of Merit (red ribbon)
    • Honorable Mention (white ribbon)
  • Entries will be displayed at the school.

What’s next:

  • Local Award of Excellence entries advance to Lewisville ISD Council of PTAs judging in November.
  • If the entry was submitted digitally, it will need to be turned in physically for Council judging.
  • A small percentage of entries are awarded at Council; then one entry per age and category (no more than 30 total) advance to the Texas PTA State level. From there they may move on to the National PTA level.
  • The Texas PTA judging rules state only a small percentage of items can be awarded at the Council level:

    Overall Award of Excellence 1 per age division and art category
    Award of Excellence (Blue) 10% of the entries, OAE are chosen to move on to State from this group
    Award of Merit (Red) 15% of the entries
    Honorable Mention (Yellow) 25% of the entries

    To learn more about the judging processes or anything related to the National PTA Reflections Program, visit the Texas PTA Reflections website or the National PTA Reflections website

  • Overall Award of Excellence entries are chosen from the Award of Excellence group, so not all Award of Excellence will get the Overall award.
  • Those entries are shipped to Texas PTA so they may not be returned until the end of the Spring semester.
  • Students advancing past Council have chances to win monetary prizes for their art!
  • Any awards from State judging by Texas PTA are also celebrated and awards are given by Texas PTA and their sponsors like Whataburger. Some students are invited to the awards ceremony in Austin.