Peralta District PTA - Creating Your Title and Artist Statement

Creating Your Title and Artist Statement

Your title and artist statement help judges and viewers understand your artwork and its connection to the theme. They act as your voice, explaining your inspiration and creative expression.

Express Your Vision

In Reflections, judges focus on how well you use your artistic vision and process to portray the theme and your unique interpretation, so the most successful entries have:

A creative title that highlights your artwork and theme.

An artist statement that explains your artwork, your take on the theme, your creative process and key elements of your piece.

Title and Artist Statement Guidelines

Remember these requirements when creating your title and artist statement:

Each entry must have a unique title and artist statement. Don't reuse either for multiple entries.

Statements should be between 10 and 100 words.

Titles can be inspired by the theme, but should not copy it.

Statements must reflect the student's age and/or support needs. Any support provided by an adult (e.g., teacher, parent, guardian) should be minimal, non-artistic and should not alter the student's creative vision or process.

Title Tips and Tricks

Titles help viewers understand what you're trying to say with your artwork and help guide them to how you want them to see your artwork.

Title Tips

A good title tells the story of your piece and starts to explain your interpretation of the theme. Titles can be:

Specific: Include names, locations, seasons, etc.

Playful: Include a play on words, jokes, pun, rhythm, etc.

Literal: Include a brief, but exact, description of the piece like color, materials, etc.

Title Tricks

If struggling to create an artwork title, look at your art and consider the following:

Think about this: How can you describe your subject matter or theme in a different way?

Reflect on your feelings: What emotions or thoughts did you have while creating or looking at your piece?

Consider the viewer's perspective: What might viewers think or feel when they see your artwork?

Recall conversations: What words or phrases came up when you discussed your piece with a friend, teacher or family member?

Tap into memories: What memories describe your piece or are associated with the theme or your artwork?

Artist Statement Tips and Tricks

A title is general and means to peak a viewer’s interest, but an artist statement should provide more complete context and descriptions for your inspiration behind the piece, creative process in crafting the piece and your interpretation of the Reflections theme.

Artist Statement Tips

Your artist statement should describe your artwork and prioritize details related to the Reflections theme or the student's interpretation. Consider the following:

Explain your artwork: Describe how specific parts or elements relate to the Reflections theme or your interpretation.

Share your decisions: Explain why you made certain choices to connect your piece to the theme.

Highlight key elements: Talk about metaphors, sequences or patterns that are important to the theme.

Describe personal connections: Share any personal experiences that inspired your interpretation of the theme.

Artist Statement Tricks

If struggling to create your artist statement, consider these suggestions:

Think about this: What questions might a viewer have about your artwork? How would you answer them?

Consider your goals: What do you hope people feel or think when they see your art? What actions do you want them to take?

Reflect on influences: Are there any cultural or traditional elements in your piece? How would your artwork be different without them?

Describe your process: What steps did you take to create your artwork? Which parts were the most challenging or rewarding?

Imagine you're the viewer: Pretend you're not the artist. How would you describe the piece? What do you like, dislike or find confusing?

Talk it out: Describe your artwork and interpretation of the theme to a friend, teacher or family member. Record the conversation or take notes.

Detail your artwork: Write a detailed description of your piece, including materials, subjects and your favorite parts.

Information provided by the National PTA website