The 2022–2023 Reflections theme is Show Your Voice!

Entries Due Friday, Oct 28th

The National PTA Reflections Arts Program invites all Whittier students (grades K–6) to create an original creative work in this year’s theme: Show Your Voice!

Submission Categories

Click below for specific guidelines for each category:

How to Submit

1. Students choose a category and create their piece!
2. Download and complete the submission form (linked and below).
3. Put the creative work (physical art or file saved on a USB drive) and attached submission form in the Reflections box or in the main office

NOTE: STUDENTS CANNOT PUT THEIR NAME ON THEIR WORK — only on the submission form. (Signed paintings will not be accepted.)

Then What Happens?

Entries will be professionally judged using these criteria: interpretation of the theme, creativity, and technique. School winners will advance to the district competition, followed by regional, state, and national levels. National awards range from recognition to scholarships! 

Everyone who enters will be recognized and awarded with a celebration!

Questions? Reach out to Christine Paulik or Jenn McDonald at ReflectionsWhittier@gmail.com

More About Reflections:

There are things that are not sayable. That’s why we have art.
~ Leonora Carrington, surrealist artist

Reflections is a National PTA fine arts competition through which participants in grades K-6 are asked to express themselves artistically based on a common theme. Students are invited to show their talents in any of 6 categories: Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Dance Choreography and Film Production.

The PTA Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence. Visual and performing arts naturally align with established Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) goals.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 nationwide create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+-year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

Students submit their completed works of art in one or more of the arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. They participate in their grade division: Primary (Pre-K – Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (All grades welcome). Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.

All children and families from across the state are invited to attend and participate in the activities at Spotlight, the Illinois PTA Cultural Arts Celebration, taking place at Millikin University in the Spring.

Visit our 2021-2022 Spotlight Gallery to see last year’s entries advanced to the National PTA level.  

If you are a PTA REFLECTIONS CHAIR: please visit the Leadership Resources section of the Website for forms, resources, and additional details.