Reflections
Reflections
Embedded Files
PTA Reflections is a national arts program that gives students an opportunity to express their creativity through art, writing, photography, music, dance and film.
Each year, students create original works of art in response to a student-created theme. Students can enter one or more arts categories and participate the program division that best fits their grade level or support needs. Based on options available in each state, winning entries may advance for additional recognition at the state and national levels.
2026–27 Theme
2026–27 Theme
“What My Culture Means to Me”
Think about what culture means to YOU.
It could be your family traditions, language, food, music, celebrations, community, values, memories, heritage—or something completely different. There is no single “correct” interpretation of the theme. We want to see your story and your creativity!
Important Links:
Important Links:
https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/for-students-and-families
https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/frequently-asked-questions
https://capta.org/programs/reflections/reflections-art-program-resources/
Online Reflections Entry Form - To be filled for every entry (only when submitting the final artwork)
Physical Student entry form (Only needed for photography or Visual arts)
If you have a question that is not answered, reach out to spanglerptareflections@gmail.com
⭐ WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
🎭 ART CATEGORY AND DIVISION GUIDELINES
All eligible Spangler students may participate through Spangler PTA.
Students compete in the division corresponding to their grade:
Primary : TK– 2nd Grade
Primary : TK– 2nd Grade
Intermediate: 3rd Grade – 5th Grade
Intermediate: 3rd Grade – 5th Grade
Middle School: 6th Grade - 8th Grade
Middle School: 6th Grade - 8th Grade
Spangler 6th graders participate in the Middle School division.
Accessible Arts: TK– 5th Grade
Accessible Arts: TK– 5th Grade
Accessible Arts: 6th Grade
Accessible Arts: 6th Grade
Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or Section 504 may choose to participate in the Accessible Arts Division.
Students with disabilities may also choose to compete in their regular grade-level division.
Accessible Arts Division (English | en español)
Dance Choreography (English | en español)
Film Production (English | en español)
Literature (English | en español)
Music Composition (English | en español)
Photography (English | en español)
Visual Arts (English | en español)
🪜 HOW TO PARTICIPATE
STEP 1 — Choose Your Category and Division
STEP 1 — Choose Your Category and Division
Choose one or more of above six art categories.
Students may enter more than one category, but each submission must meet the rules for that category.
Fill in the optional interest form
Spangler Reflections Art Interest Form
STEP 2 — Explore the Theme
STEP 2 — Explore the Theme
Think about:
“What My Culture Means to Me”
Ask yourself:
What does culture mean to me?
What traditions are important to my family?
What experiences have shaped me?
What makes my family or community special?
What music, food, celebrations, stories or traditions are meaningful to me?
How does my culture influence who I am?
What would I like other people to understand about my culture?
Your interpretation can be completely personal.
STEP 3 — Create Something NEW and ORIGINAL
STEP 3 — Create Something NEW and ORIGINAL
Your entry must be a new piece of artwork inspired by this year's theme.
The work must be the original creative work of one student only.
Parents and adults may encourage the student, but they may NOT:
Parents and adults may encourage the student, but they may NOT:
Create any portion of the artwork
Change or improve the student's artwork
Collaborate creatively on the project
Other people may appear in or perform the student's work, but the creative concept and work must belong to the student.
Different accommodation rules apply for students participating in Accessible Arts.
STEP 4 - Give Your Artwork a Title
STEP 4 - Give Your Artwork a Title
A TITLE IS REQUIRED FOR EVERY ENTRY.
A TITLE IS REQUIRED FOR EVERY ENTRY.
Choose a title that helps communicate the meaning or story behind your work.
STEP 5 — Write Your Artist Statement
STEP 5 — Write Your Artist Statement
An Artist Statement is REQUIRED for every entry.
An Artist Statement is REQUIRED for every entry.
The Artist Statement should explain:
What inspired your artwork?
What does your artwork represent?
How does your artwork relate to “What My Culture Means to Me”?
Length:
Length:
Minimum: 10 words
Maximum: 100 words
Example of what to think about:
Example of what to think about:
Instead of simply writing:
"I made this picture because I like Diwali."
Tell the judges why it matters to you:
What does the celebration represent?
What memories does it bring?
How does it connect to your family or culture?
Your Artist Statement helps the judges understand your artistic vision.
STEP 6 — Submit Your Entry To Spangler PTA
📅 Spangler Submission Deadline
STEP 6 — Submit Your Entry To Spangler PTA
📅 Spangler Submission Deadline
October 18, 2026
October 18, 2026
1 — Complete the
Online Reflections Entry Form
for every entry (Fill in when submitting the final artwork)
Please use parent/guardian personal email to submit the online form.
1 — Complete the
Online Reflections Entry Form
for every entry (Fill in when submitting the final artwork)
Please use parent/guardian personal email to submit the online form.
Complete one form for each entry and upload the required artwork file, photo, video, audio or PDF.
2 — Upload Your Artwork
2 — Upload Your Artwork
Follow the file requirements for your category.
Visual Arts: Upload 1 photo for 2D artwork or 3 photos for 3D artwork.
3 — Drop Off Physical Artwork, If Applicable
3 — Drop Off Physical Artwork, If Applicable
Students submitting physical Visual Arts pieces should also drop off the original artwork in office along with filled
Student entry form
💻 Using Digital Tools
Digital technology and software may be used to help develop, enhance or present an entry.
However, technology may not provide the primary design or concept of the artwork, else the entry will be disqualified
If technology is used, students must describe the tools and creation process in the Additional Details section of the entry form.
This includes disclosure of any generative elements used during the creation process.
The Additional Details description should be approximately:
10–50 words
🚫 Copyright & Plagiarism
All entries must be original.
Plagiarized entries will be disqualified.
Plagiarized entries will be disqualified.
Students generally should not use:
Copyrighted cartoon characters
Images downloaded from the internet
Stock photographs
Copyrighted artwork belonging to someone else
Limited copyrighted material may sometimes appear incidentally or be transformed as part of a completely new work as permitted by the official Reflections rules.
For Dance Choreography and Film Production, background music may be used, but the song title, composer and performer must be cited on the entry form.
When in doubt, please review the official Reflections rules before submitting.
SUBMISSION RULES
For physical artwork, students should put their identifying information on the back of the entry, not on the front. Following details are required:
- Student Name
- Grade
- Teacher/Classroom
- Art Category
- Artwork Title
For digital files, do not add the student’s name over the artwork itself. Instead, identify the student through the entry form and, if you want, use a filename such as: <FirstName>_<LastName>_<Category>_<Division PRI/INT/MID>.jpg/png/pdf etc
For Example, if a kid named John Doe submits a photo from intermediate division, a photo should be named as: John_Doe_Photography_INT.png
The reason for putting it on the back is to keep the front of the artwork anonymous for judging. The National PTA Visual Arts guidelines specifically say to include student information on the back of the entry.
For 3D artwork, where there may not be a clear “back,” attach a small label securely to the base or underside.
Page updated
Report abuse