Committee Chair: Diane Tang
What is REFLECTIONS?
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Reflections is a Nationwide PTA program that is a creative and fun way for all students to engage in the arts. The 2024-2025 PTA Reflections Arts Program has a new theme, "Accepting Imperfection," which is intended to inspire students to express their creativity while embracing their unique perspectives. There are 6 categories:
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How does it work?
Students’ artwork will be judged at the local PTA level and the top three winning entries in each category advances to the Council (county) level. From the Council level, the top three winners proceed to the state level. The top winners at the state level in each category proceed to the National PTA.
What are the Awards?
Winners at the national level will receive the following awards from the National PTA:
Merit Award: Bronze Medal; Certificate of Merit; Work featured in the virtual exhibition
Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship; Silver Medal; Certificate of Excellence; Work featured in the virtual exhibition
Outstanding Interpretation Award: $800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; Work featured in the virtual exhibition; $200 Prize for Local PTA Unit
For inspiration watch last year’s reflection winner’s videos and examples HERE
How do I begin?
1. Decide on a category, and download the Guidance.
2. Get familiar with the General Guidelines. If applicable, review also the Special Artist Division Rules.
3. Be creative! The art should reflect the theme. Watch the "I Am Hopeful Because..." video to get started!
The art will be judged based on the following:
a) Interpretation of the theme: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement.
b) Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation
c) Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/ techniques of the arts area.
For more inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships at PTA.org/Reflections/Awards
4. Download and complete the Student Entry Form.
5. E-mail completed Student Entry Form and art by Friday, November 29 2024, 8pm to plesreflections@gmail.com
Follow the respective Art Category Guidance on how to label your files and General Guidelines regarding file size.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
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All participants must follow the Arts Category Guidance, General Guidelines, and if applicable, Special Artist Division Rules.
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Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted.
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Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. See the specific arts category rules and special artist division rules for details.
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Each entry must contain a title and an artist statement on the Student Entry Form. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must be at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words.
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Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and film production entries. If used in dance choreography and film production entries, background music must be cited on the entry form. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint templates is prohibited.
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Submissions may not be created using artificial intelligence software (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E rotor, hotpot AI, deep AI, Craiyon, nightcafe, or other text-to-art software tools) to generate any part of the content or composition. Content generation, including composition and arrangement, must be the result of student exercise of skills and tools. This does not preclude the use of image painting and editing software such as photoshop, gimp, paint or similar software tools for any entries.
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2023 Phelps Luck Elementary Winners who advanced to PTA Council of Howard County
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Alexander R. - photography: Rocket Diagram
Sophie T. - visual arts: Rays of Hope
Emily T. - visual arts: Blooming Hope
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