FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Following are the recommended steps for students to follow to participate in the Reflections Art Program:

1. Ideation: Brainstorm about the theme “I Will Change The World By ...”. Be original, be creative, think outside the box. Keep taking notes, finally consolidate your thoughts.

2. Artwork planning: Decide about the art category that you would like to participate in - there are six art categories. You can submit from one to six artworks – only one artwork is allowed per student in each of the six art categories.

3. Rules and Guidelines: Before you start working on your artwork, read the rules, and guidelines for the respective art categories. All the rules and guidelines are available on the HOME page of this Google site. Artwork will be declined by the judges if the rules are not followed.

4. Submit Artwork: When you are ready with the final artwork, submit your google form, and upload your artwork file through the same google form given on the home page of this site.

5. Submit every artwork using separate forms: You must submit a separate google form for each artwork if you have more than one artwork to submit. With each submission form, you can upload only one artwork file. Only for the Music Composition art category, middle school and high school students must upload a music notation sheet(s).

6. Email Confirmation: Once you submit your artwork, you will see a confirmation page and also get a confirmation email with the data that was entered, please save this email. If you don't see a confirmation screen after form submit, your submission has not gone through due to some error - please fix the error and try again. If you don't get a confirmation email, please retry and /or reach out to shivamv@gmail.com.

Students can submit 1 artwork for each art category. There are 6 art categories.

You must submit each artwork separately by filling in individual google forms for each artwork

After the art has been completed by the student, scan or take a clear photograph of the artwork, and submit the image file through the google form.

It will be better if you can scan the artwork. If you do not have a scanner, take a picture with your camera/smartphone - keep the following points in mind:

Note: some smartphone apps have scan options, you can explore that option too – use whatever method gives the best image.

Please ensure the following:

1. No Shake: Place the artwork in a well-lit area and take the picture of the artwork with steady hands or preferably with a camera stand. Do not use zoom, adjust the frame by moving the camera forward or backward.

2. Lighting: The picture area should be evenly and well lit - should NOT be photographed in a dimly lit area (underexpose) or area with very bright light (overexpose). Preferably don't use the camera/smartphone's flash.

3. No glare/shine: There should not be any shiny objects (no glass / shiny wrapping art paper) or glare in the picture. Visual Art/painting should be clearly and completely visible.

4. Angle: Take the photo from the center, and the camera should be perpendicular to the art. The artwork boundary should look like a rectangle or a square - not like a trapezium.

5. No Photoshop’ing: The photo should not be altered (you can crop, contrast/brighten the image, etc.).

6. Refer to sites that have tips to photograph artwork. Google search "how to photograph a painting smartphone". Here is a good youtube video https://youtu.be/S0g4a1Ge-Ds.

Remember, the judges need to see the picture very clearly to evaluate the artwork. a well photographed artwork increases the chances of moving to the next level.

Please keep the artwork safe at least till May 2022. It may be required if your project advances the State Level.

Click on the following link to see some DOs and DON'Ts of taking an Art Photo

In the first step, all projects that have not followed one or more rules are eliminated. So please read the 1 page Rules and Guidelines links on the home page of this

site.

Judging Criteria: All PTA Reflections program valid entries are judged on three criteria:

1. Interpretation of Theme - How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist's statement.

2. Creativity - How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation.

3. Technique - The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/ techniques of the arts area.

Title of your artwork: Do not simply title your artwork as "I will change the world by...". Be imaginative and come up with a creative name that truly portrays your artwork.

Artist Statement: Judges will always read the Artists' Statement while judging the artwork. The artist statement is very important as it provides insight to the judges on the student’s personal meaning and reflection on the theme to help decide the student’s interpretation of the theme. Spend some time developing your artist statement.

Only one person can submit each entry. However, more than one person can perform in a dance, music or film creation, even though one person is the creator/submitting the entry.

Since the primary goal of Reflections is to promote creativity, the program’s rules create the necessary boundaries to allow judging, exhibits, and awards.

Make the room you record in as quiet as possible. Close windows and turn off all noise-making devices in the room (air conditioners, fans, telephones, etc.). Do not place the recording device on top of an instrument or speakers. If needed, improve recording quality by changing the record volume or microphone location. Pay attention to what is behind the performer – make sure the background isn’t distracting. If using a phone, record in landscape mode, not portrait mode.