- Lisa J. Mails Elementary
- Reflections Art Program
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The theme for the 2025-26 PTA Reflections Program is "I Belong".
Until our webpage is updated for the start of the school year, please visit the National PTA Website for more information - https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/for-students-and-families.
Students may get started on their entries for the "I BELONG" theme! We will be posting a guide and more useful information here soon!
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Reflections Art Program
DEADLINE in October - Date TBA
Reflections Art Program encourages students of all ages to:
- Unleash creative talents and be inspired
- Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
- Experience the fun and joy of making art
- Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme
- Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.
All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
- Dance Choreography
- Literature
- Photography
- Film Production
- Music Composition
- Visual Arts
Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated, and judged by five grade-level divisions, while a non-judged Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence, or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.
To participate
1. Download and complete the Student Entry Form in the Student Entry Packet : (Will be furnished at the start of the school year)
This program is open to all students in grades PreK-5. If you would like to create something for Reflections, please review the guidelines/rules for the category you are interested in below. You may participate in more than one category.
2. Download and review the complete rules for the category (categories) you are entering:
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A helpful checklist for participants:
- Know the theme - "I BELONG" - all entries MUST relate to this theme AND use the theme as a starting point when thinking about what to do for their project.
- The clearer the theme relates to the artwork, the better.
- Explaining your artist's vision in the Artist Statement is key!
- Decide which of the six categories you want to do. You may do more than category, but only one project per category!
- Read the rules/guidelines for the category you wish to participate in.
- Come up with your idea and what supplies you need.
- Work on your project!
- Take your time and do your best work.
- You may need to do a rough draft and a final draft.
- Your final should be clean: no eraser marks/unwanted pencil marks, paper/canvas clean and no wrinkles/folds/creases, no spelling mistakes, etc.
- You will be competing with students at our school, and the winners will move to the next level.
- Do not put your name on the front of your artwork!
- Get Creative and Do Your Best!
- Fill out your entry form – and please pay special attention to the Artist Statement. Be able to explain your thinking and your inspiration and relate that to the art you made.
- Hold on to your entry until the collection days.
- Turn your entry in with the entry form attached.
- Know the theme - "I BELONG" - all entries MUST relate to this theme AND use the theme as a starting point when thinking about what to do for their project.
