Learn More About the Reflections Program

NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS ART CONTEST

Let Your Creativity Shine at Ella Baker Elementary!

Are you a budding artist at Ella Baker Elementary? The National PTA Reflections Art Contest is a great way to express yourself and show your creativity!

WHAT IS REFLECTIONS?

Reflections is the largest arts program of its kind in the United States.  It has been organized by the National PTA since 1969.  Besides being an “Art Contest,” it invites students to explore their artistic side and helps them take risks, be inspired, think creatively, and be celebrated for their creativity and work. According to the National PTA, “studies have shown there is a positive relationship between the arts and well-being.”  You can create art that expresses your ideas, feelings, and creativity.

This year’s theme is “Belong!”  Belong can be interpreted in many ways and with different creative perspectives. 

 Whether you love to draw, paint, write stories, create dance movements, take photos, produce films or animations, or compose music, there’s a category for you!

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

• WHO CAN JOIN? All Ella Baker students and all abilities with a creative spark!

• CATEGORIES & 2025-2026 GUIDELINES (from National PTA):

A student may submit an entry in any of six categories. (Click the hyperlinked categories to see the entry guidelines.) 

·       Dance Choreography — Originally choreographed dance composition presented in a video entry

·       Film Production — Original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia

·       Literature — Original works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, reflective essay, narrative or short story. Entries must be a single literary work; collections are not accepted.

·       Music Composition — Original musical composition, with or without words, presented in an audio recording

·       Photography — Color or black and white. Included techniques: Photogram, panorama, photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), single or multiple exposure, negative sandwich.

·       Visual Arts (2D Visual Art Only) — Drawing; painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor or T-shirt paints; computer-generated art; two-dimensional collage; printmaking; needlework; leather tooling (see link for all accepted visual art forms).

WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?

• Show Your Creativity: Your artwork can reflect how you see the world, especially through the lens of accepting imperfections.

• Get Recognized: Your work could be showcased at school and possibly advance to regional, state, or national levels!

• Fun and Inspiration: Inspire your friends with your unique perspective, while also having fun creating something special.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Ella Baker’s Submission Deadline:  Fall 2025

• How to Submit: You are encouraged to start exploring ideas and working on your artwork early.  More submission details will be posted soon.

For more information – please visit:  https://www.lwptsa.net/reflections/ or https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections. 

Email Ella Baker’s Reflections Team at reflections@ellabakerptsa.org for any questions.