Congratulations to the most resent winner of the Annual Theme Search Contest, Ben Morgan from Lewis and Clark Middle School PTSA in Idaho. The winning theme for 2025-2026 is:

"I Belong!"

As winner, Ben will receive $100 from National PTA and his theme will be used to inspire hundreds of thousands of artists across the nation as they participate in the PTA Reflections art program. Congratulations to Ben and Idaho State PTA on this achievement!

Thank you again to all participating Texas students! Start brainstorming now on which future themes you plan to recommend. The entry form link is available now below! Remember, there is no limit to how many different themes you may enter.

2025-2026 PSHS PTSA Reflections Art Entry Deadline will be in November 2025 (exact date will be shared later in 2025)

Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

With positive recognition as the focus of this program, rather than competition, students of all ages and abilities can experience the benefits of creative expression and help in finding their own voice in telling their unique story.

Started in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, then Colorado PTA President, Reflections has grown to be one of the largest nationwide programs of its kind, with more than 200,000 students participating annually.

Categories Include:

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 on entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Flash or disk inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

Film Production

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, director, editor and producer. If student chooses to appear in film, a tripod and remote may be used. 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. Packaging: Flash or disk inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

Literature

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, drama, reflective essay, 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 format: Single-sided on 8 ½x11” paper. Packaging: 1 copy of literature inside folder with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

Musical Composition

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entrant 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, WAV. Printed Notation: Required for middle and high school divisions - score, tabulature or written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how your music was created (100 words or less). Packaging: Flash or disk inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

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. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited; see above for Copyright exceptions. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. Packaging: attach student entry form to back with sheet protector.

Visual Arts

ccepted forms of visual art include: original print, drawing, painting, collage (cut and pasted materials such as clippings and photos), metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork. Frames and artwork containing loose materials are not accepted. Matting is accepted. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Paper entries should be mounted on sturdy material.*Printed: attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. Cover front of artwork with butcher (or like) paper, securing it along one edge to the back of artwork without covering form and draping over front. Do not wrap in plastic or laminate entry. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. *Note these guidelines are specific to Texas PTA. While other states are incorporating additional 3D art mediums, Texas PTA has made the decision to only accept 2D Visual Arts entries.

Accessible Arts Division

Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. The Accessible Arts Division welcomes all grades and all abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Accessible Arts Division.

Reflections is always a PTA Member benefit!

The student or at least one person from their primary household must be a current member of the Local PTA/PTSA where the student is participating. Each Local PTA/PTSA may determine a date by which the member must join.

Entry Forms and Rules:

Students should download the Program Rules to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form.

Find out more at:

https://www.txpta.org/reflections

Visit the 2023-2024 Reflections Gallery to see examples of entries from that year. Please note: the 2024-2025 Reflections Gallery will be linked as soon as it is available.

For questions regarding Reflections, please contact Katherine Hoak at  reflections@planoseniorptsa.org