WHAT IS REFLECTIONS?
The Reflections program is the National PTA’s cornerstone art program. It was founded in 1969 and since its founding, millions of students have participated in the program. The goal of the program is participation in and appreciation for the arts. The Reflections program provides students with an opportunity to express themselves creatively and receive positive recognition for original works of art.
HERE’S HOW REFLECTIONS WORKS
Students like you make projects that are inspired by a theme. This year’s theme is “Accepting Imperfection.” You can make a project in as many of the categories as you want to. (It’s free to enter!) This is a national competition. We will judge all entries from Berkley Schools. We choose up to four winners in each age range and category. Then we send those winners on to be judged at the state level. Top winners at the state level go on to national judging.
GENERAL RULES
If you are interested in participating in Reflections, it is important to follow all of the rules. Here are some of the general rules:
Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted.
Students may only submit one entry per category.
Each entry may only be submitted by one student. For example, if your friends appear in your entry (like for film production or dance choreography), only the person who is responsible for creating the concept and leading the project can enter their name on the entry form.
The work must be your own. Parents or other grown-ups may not help. (Exceptions apply for the Accessible Arts division.)
To keep the judging anonymous, you may not include your full name on the work. That means no signatures on your visual arts piece and no full name written or spoken in your other pieces.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and specific exceptions in visual arts entries. See category guidelines for details.
Digital technology and/or software can be used to develop, enhance and/or present an entry but may not provide the primary design and/or concept.
You must submit an entry form for each entry. This form will include your artist statement, which tells the judges how your project fits with the theme of “Accepting Imperfection.”
You must include a consent form for any person whose face or voice is included in your entry.
WRITING YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT
Your artist statement is important, so give it some thought. It must be between 10 and 100 words and must describe what your work is and how it relates to the theme. But how do you do that? You could tell us how you got the idea for the project or what “Accepting Imperfection” means to you. Be as clear as you can. Your artist statement is an important part of the judging. But make sure they are your words – not your grown-up’s.
WHERE TO FIND THE FORM
Entry Form: https://forms.gle/17pRRnFTTFPrATSY8
GRADE DIVISIONS
When you fill out the entry form, mark your grade. Judging grade categories are:
IMPORTANT DATES
- November 6, 2024: Deadline for students to turn in projects to the Reflections chair at their school.
- TBD 2024: Stay tuned for the date for our district celebration for all Reflections participants.
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
These are some of the key points to consider for each category.
Visual Arts
You may create a work of fine or design art, 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.
2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material (cardboard or poster board is acceptable) and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. No frames. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission.
3D artworks may be no larger than 12x12x12 inches and must be sturdy enough to ship to the national office, should it win at the national level. Include 3 digital images of artwork at different angles.
See category guidelines document for rules about copyrighted materials.
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 they attach an interpretive English translation.
See category guidelines for acceptable use of typing or dictation.
Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Number each page.
Accepted formats: PDF file.
Dance Choreography
Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted.
Entrant 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 2 minutes and 1 GB in size.
Accepted formats: AVI, MOV, MP4.
Photography
Photo 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 exposure, negative sandwich and photogram.
Submit a digital and printed version of the photo. Printed version must be no smaller than 3x5 and no larger than 8x10 and should be mounted on sturdy material such as poster board no larger than 11x14. No frames.
The digital version must be the actual photo you took. It can’t be a photo of the printed version.
Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution).
Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.
REFLECTIONS CHAIR/CONTACT INFO
Please contact your school chair or the Berkley PTSA Council Chair with any questions or concerns.
Lisa Klein/Aileen Snyder
Angellfishreflections1@gmail.com
