Reflections

***All Submissions are due to your building Reflections chairperson by Wednesday December 13, 2023***

ENTRY GUIDELINES

Only new and original works inspired by the theme will be accepted. Students may enter in one or more of the following arts categories. Although students may submit entries in more than one category; only one submission per category is allowed. The categories are:

Dance Choreography
Literature
Photography
Film Production
Music Composition
Visual Arts

DIVISIONS

To allow student artworks to be recognized and judged with the appropriate developmental age and skill levels in mind, the Reflections Program is organized by school grade, offering five divisions:

Primary – Preschool-Grade 2
Intermediate – Grades 3-5
Middle/Junior – Grades 6-8
Senior – Grades 9-12
Special Artist Division – All grades

The Special Artist Division welcomes students from all grades and abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special Artist Division.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Volunteer arts and education experts review submissions without knowledge of the entrants’ identity. Judges look for personal interpretations on the program theme that best exemplify creativity and technical skill.

Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork itself and the artist statement.
Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation.
Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

STUDENT ENTRY FORM

Your submission must include a completed and signed Student Entry Form. Every entry requires a title and artist statement for judging and advancement to state.

In your artist statement, tell us about your work and what it means to you. For example:

How does your work relate to the theme?
What is your personal connection to the theme?
What did you use to create your work (e.g. supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)?
Who or what was your inspiration?

Student Entry Form

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY

Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.

FILM PRODUCTION

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer.

If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.

LITERATURE

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 1⁄2 x 11” paper, PDF file.

MUSIC COMPOSITION

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, ACC, FLAC. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG.

VISUAL ARTS

Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. Framed entries are not accepted. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission. 3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

If you have additional questions about the 2023-2024 Reflections Program; please reach out to the committee chair: Paula Nather

Reflections Winners 2022-2023

Article published June 19, 2019 regarding the Reflections Contest:

North Royalton students shine in Reflections competition