Reflections Art Program

The National Reflections PTSA has announced the theme for 2025-26, the theme is "I Belong!".

2024-25 Reflections Art Program Updates

CMMS PTSA is proud to support our student’s participation in Reflections each year! 

Reflections is a National PTA arts competition that provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents. If your child loves art or has a creative flair then they will enjoy entering an artwork in this year's Reflections program.

Submission Deadline: October 25, 2024 at the CMMS front office.

To download the entry form, click here.

All CMMS participants will be recognized for their contributions and twelve finalists will be selected to represent CMMS at the Issaquah School District level.

Overview                                                                                                                              

National PTA Reflections is America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind. The program was developed in 1969 by Colorado’s PTA President Mary Lou Anderson to encourage students to explore their talents and express themselves. Since then, the Reflections Program has inspired millions of students to reflect on a specific theme and create original artwork. For more details, please click here.

The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. Students submit their completed works of art in one, or more, of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts.

Program Details and Categories                                                                                      

Entries must meet the criteria written in the guidelines, especially file type/format, length, and size. Students should not have their full names displayed in the art piece.

Please follow the specific guidelines for each art area.

• • Accessible Art Category -this division is an option for students with disabilities who may 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.
  • Literature - works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
  • Music Composition - original musical composition, with or without words.
  • Photography - A single photo, panoramic, photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), a multiple exposure, negative sandwich or photogram. Original black-and- white and color images are accepted. 
  • Visual Arts - Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), computer-generated image, crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiber work, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes.
  • Film Production - original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
  • Dance Choreography - originally choreographed dance composition

Submission guidelines and requirements                                                                             

Submission guidelines

1.   Download the Entry Form here.
2.   Fill out the form and scan it as a pdf document. 
3.   Upload your scanned entry form along with artwork of your entry here.

You will need to create an electronic version of your artwork.  We will accept .jpg, .pdf, .img, .png file formats for visual arts and literature. Please rename your file with the following format (with no spaces): ArtCategory_Art Title_Student First and Last Name. For example: Photography_MyWork_Firstandlastname

 Submission requirements

• Student entry form is completed and signed by both parent/guardian and student. Students may submit in as many arts categories as they would like, however, only one entry per arts category is allowed.
• Original signed student entry form is attached to each entry outside of any sheet protector, plastic sleeve or wrapping.
• Title and artist statement (100 words or less) is completed.
• Drop your original project(s) at the CMMS front office by the deadline (October 25, 2024 by 3PM).

Special Artists                                                                                                                   

The Special Artist Division is a non-graded division limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act. Qualifying students entering this division create their own artwork but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one Special Artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation Award. Up to five additional Special Artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence. Find out more info here.

Theme Search Contest                                                                                                     

Each year, National PTA seeks a theme for the Reflections program year to be held two years from now.  The student submitting the winning entry receives $100 and their theme is presented at the annual National PTA Convention. Click here for a list of past themes.

Submissions for Washington’s entries to the 2026-2027 Theme Search is due on November 4, 2024.

Click here to go to the Reflections Theme Search online entry form.

Archived Entries                                                                                                              

2023-24 “I am Hopeful Because ...” Congratulations all CMMS Reflections Artists. See the art gallery entries here.

Questions?                                                                                                                        

If you have any questions on the entry process, please contact the Reflections Chair.