Close

WSPTA Login

Menu

Programs

Reflections

Reflections Overview For Families and Students

Note: Local PTA and council leaders may find further information and resources on running the Reflections program here.

Welcome to the WSPTA Reflections program!

Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students pre-K through grade 12

  • explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas
  • develop artistic literacy (by describing how their art relates to a theme)
  • increase confidence
  • find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school but in life.

Students create original works of art in response to a theme. The 2026-2027 Reflections theme is “What My Culture Means To Me.” Themes are selected from student submissions. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing may sponsor the program. Students may only submit entries through a PTA/PTSA. Only students that attend a school with an active PTA or are served by a special education or community PTA may participate. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.

Students may enter in one or more of the available arts categories (see program details for more information). Finalists from local PTAs will move on to their council PTA (if applicable), then finalists from councils will advance to the state round. Washington State PTA finalists who receive an “Outstanding Interpretation award will advance to the National PTA round.

The deadline for turning in artwork to your school PTA will typically be in late autumn. Please check with your school’s PTA for the exact date.

Local PTAs and councils may choose to accept physical or virtual entries. Only virtual submissions will be sent to the WSPTA level for judging.

Only Reflections chairs can submit entries to WSPTA. If you are a student or parent, please contact your local PTA about how to submit.

The deadline for local PTA and council entries to WSPTA for the 2026-2027 contest is January 14, 2027.

For a list of Reflections FAQs, please click here.

For questions, please contact reflections@wastatepta.org.

Program Details

Young artists get involved through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are:

  • Literature – works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
  • Music Composition – original musical composition, with or without words.
  • Photography: color or black and white, included techniques: photogram, negative sandwich, and multiple exposure.
  • Visual Arts: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.
  • Film/Video: original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
  • Choreography/Dance: originally choreographed dance composition.

Participation is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The grade divisions are:

  • Primary: Pre-school – Grade 2
  • Intermediate: Grades 3 – 5
  • Middle School: Grades 6 – 8
  • High School: Grades 9 – 12

(For artists needing accomodations to participate, see Accessible Arts below)

Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme.

Any PTA/PTSA in good standing may sponsor the program. Only students that attend at school with a PTA/PTSA can participate. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.

Resources for PTA Leaders

Student Entry Guidelines

Accessible Arts Division

The National PTA accessible arts division is an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Generally, rules and guidelines within the special artists division are intended to ensure accessibility to the National PTA Reflections® program and are modeled after the guidelines outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We are asking local PTA chairs and council chairs to verify that artists meet this criteria before judging.

Complete details are included in the 2026-27 Accessible Arts Rules | en Español.

Accessible Arts submissions are judged in two divisions:

  • Elementary (Kindergarten – 5th grade)
  • Secondary (6th grade – 12th grade)

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to be part of the WSPTA Reflections Committee? We are looking for members with local, council, or state Reflections experience to join the committee. Find out what happens to your students’ art after you submit it and be a part of a program that serves all PTAs in Washington state! The committee is most active between January and May; tasks take place at convention and much can be done from home. Contact reflections@wastatepta.org.

Past Reflections Winners

Winner for 2025-26

National Reflections Prizes

National Reflections Prizes 

Based on the award(s) earned, student artists receive the following prizes:

  • 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 (OI) Award: $800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; Work featured in the virtual exhibition; $200 Prize for Local PTA Unit. Only 1 OI award is given out per category (not age division) at the National level.

© 2026 Washington State PTA   |   Privacy Policy  |   Site Design & Development by SiteCrafting