Reflections
Reflections Overview For Families and Students
Student Entry Forms
Welcome to the Poplar Bridge Reflections program!
Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life.
Students in pre-K through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a theme. The theme for the 2022-2023 program year is Show Your Voice.
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
Program Details
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5)
Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
The deadline for submitting Steinbrenner entries is November 30
Entries are judged on on three criteria: Interpretation of Theme (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) Technical Skill (The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area)
Students can enter one or more categories, however, may only enter ONE art piece per category.
Only NEW pieces of artwork, inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted.
Entries must be the original work of one student only -adults cannot help with the actual creation/composition of the selected art category.
Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.
Three entries from each Arts Category can advance to the next level which is the Minnesota State PTA Reflections.
Here is a link to a greate 90-second video that highlights a student's steps towards submitting an entry.
Student Entry Rules
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 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4, MOV, or AVI format.
Click here for Dance Choreography Rules
Film Production
Accepted forms include animation, narrative, documentary, experimental, or a media presentation (PowerPoint is prohibited). Entrant must be the director, screenwriter, and camera person including all storyboarding and editing. Video recording must not exceed 5 minutes and must be less than 1GB (one gigabyte) in file size.
Click here for Film Production Rules
Literature
Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include prose, poetry, drama screenplay and play script), reflective essay, narrative, and short story. Entry must not exceed 2,000 words and must be handwritten or typed; one side only. Students for whom English is not their first language may submit literature entries in their own language. An interpretive translation in English must accompany the entry. Accepted formats include: Single-sided print on 8 ½ x 11 paper, or PDF (.pdf) file format.
Click here for Literature Rules
Music Composition
All instruments, sounds, styles, and combinations are accepted. Copyrighted material is prohibited. The composer may be the performer or one of the performers but does not have to be a performer. Notation, score or tablature is required for middle and high school division. Audio recording must not exceed 5 minutes.
Click here for Music Composition Rules
Photography
Accepted forms of photography include a single photo, panoramic, photomontage (one seamless print of multiple original photos), a multiple exposure, negative sandwich or photogram. Original black-and-white and color images are accepted. Entrant must be the one to take the photograph. Must be mounted or matted on cardboard matte, poster board, or other sturdy material. Accepted formats include: Matted print, or digital image (.jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp).
Click here for Photography Rules
Visual Arts
Accepted forms include architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), computer-generated image, crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiber work, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes. Framed entries not accepted. Paper entries must be mounted on sturdy material and 3D works must include packaging materials and three (3) photos of the entry for judging and ID purposes.
Click here for Visual Arts Rules
Special Artist Division
The Special Artist Division is non-graded and limited to students whose physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges meet ADA guidelines. Qualifying students entering this division create their own artwork but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one Special Artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation Award. Up to five additional Special Artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence.
Click here for Special Artist Division Rules
Reflections Student Entry Form .pdfAt Home Art Activities
Doing art activities together is a fantastic way for families to communicate and foster lifelong memories with one another.
Reflections At Home Activities
Reflections Crossword Puzzle Activity