Reflections

This year’s theme:  “I am hopeful because…”.

Reflections is a wonderful way to explore ideas, spark self-reflection, and build confidence in creative expression. We hope students will take the opportunity to delve into the theme in a way that is meaningful to them.

There are six categories for submissions:

• Literature – works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
• Music Composition – original musical composition, with or without words.
• Photography: color or black and white, included techniques: photogram, negative sandwich, and multiple exposure.
• Visual Arts: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.
• Film Production: original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
• Dance Choreography: originally choreographed dance composition.

Participation is organized by student age and grade levels:

• Primary: Kindergarten – Grade 2 (Westhill’s division)
• Intermediate: Grades 3 – 5 (Westhill’s division)
• Middle School: Grades 6 – 8
• High School: Grades 9 – 12
• Special Artists: The National PTA special artist division is an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Complete details are included in the Special Artist Rules.

You can access the information and guidelines here.  Take a look at this video for ideas on how to take a photo that will best showcase your artist’s work.

Entries due by November 14.

Step 1:  Carefully read the rules and guidelines for how to enter your specific art category. There are size requirements for visual art and photography and word counts for literacy. Dance, music, and film production have specific ways to save and submit your file.

Step 2: Electronically submit student’s artwork and a Reflections Entry Form to reflections@westhillptsa.org before the Nov 14th deadline. Include child’s name in the file submitted. We cannot accept any artwork that is submitted after the deadline.

Note: One Reflections Entry Form must be submitted per category if your student is entering into more than one category.

Tips & Judging

Judging will be “blind”, meaning the judge should not know the child’s name only their grade level. Please make sure your child’s name is not listed on art or written works, nor spoken in music videos or video submissions.
Judges will consider the following criteria:

1. Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement.
2. Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation.
3. Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

Judges strongly consider the interpretation of the Reflections theme during the evaluation process. It is suggested that students give their submissions a title that stands out and describes how the piece relates to the student’s personal interpretation of the theme. The following guiding questions can be useful when developing a title and artist statement:

• How does your work relate to the theme?
• What is your personal connection to the theme?
• What did you use to create your work (e.g., supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)?
• What/who was your inspiration?

Key Dates:

• November 14, 2023 | Deadline to submit entries to reflections@westhillptsa.org
• November – December – Westhill PTSA judging process
• December 2023 – School level winners submitted to the Northshore Council
• January 2024 – Northshore Council Reflection results announced
• March 2024 – WSPTA Reflections results (state level) announced
• May 2024 – National PTA Reflections results announced

Please e-mail the Reflections chair if you have questions.