Programs

Reflections

PTA believes all children deserve access to quality arts education.  Started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson, Reflections has encouraged millions of students to express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts.

Students in preschool through grade 12 may create and submit works of art in six categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor Reflections on their campus.

Students should consult their PTA to confirm they are sponsoring the program and to learn when and where to submit their entries. Students are encouraged to download the guidelines below to begin the creative process.

Reflections Chairs or Coordinators will find valuable resources in the Arts in Education Resource Guide, as well as the Reflections Quick Start Guide (coming soon). Promotional and recognition items are also available to help your program run as smoothly as possible.

Please do not download your Reflections documents from the National PTA website. The documents listed below have been customized for Texas PTA and are updated each year for your convenience.  

The Texas PTA Programs Department looks forward to working with you!

 

2011-2012 Reflections Results

The Diversity Means theme was submitted through the Theme Search
Contest by Gavin Green of Ozark Elementary PTA located in Ozark, Missouri.

Texas students created nearly 56,000 entries for our 2011-2012 Reflections program, Diversity Means. 
Of the 1700 pieces that advanced to Texas PTA, we are proud to have awarded more than
650 students for their outstanding work! Students were recognized with Honorable Mention, Award of Merit, Award of Excellence or Overall Award of Excellence.

In what is always a difficult task, only 24 entries (one entry per grade division in each category) may be awarded the Overall Award of Excellence and forwarded on to National PTA to compete in the final round
of nationwide judging. We are excited to see these special entries advancing and hope our Texas students shine bright!

We anticipate that the results from National PTA will be available in May. Nationally recognized students will receive communication directly from National PTA, and we will post the information on our website when the results are available.

Thank you for participating in the Reflections Program, and congratulations to all students who advanced
to the State level of judging!

Overall Award of Excellence Results PDF File

Primary (Pre-K – 2nd) Award Results PDF File
Intermediate (3rd – 5th) Award Results PDF File
Middle Junior (6th – 8th) Award Results PDF File
Senior (9th – 12th) Award Results PDF File

All Results For Entries Judged at the State Level PDF File

 

2011-2012 Student Recognition and Awards Ceremony

August 2012 - Location To Be Announced

Students receiving an Award of Merit, Award of Excellence or an Overall Award of Excellence will receive an invitation to attend an awards ceremony to be held this summer. As we are still in the planning stages, ceremony time and location will be specified at a later date. Due to time and space constraints, all students receiving an Honorable Mention will receive their certificates by mail.

 

2011-2012 Reflections Exhibit

Artwork from more than 100 students across Texas is currently on display at the Texas Education Agency building, the Legislative Budget Board building and the Texas Commission on the Arts building. The exhibit will be on display until April 30th and is available for public viewing from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Reflections List of Exhibited Artwork PDF File
Map of Austin Capitol Complex PDF File

Texas Education Agency
William B. Travis State Office Building
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
The artwork is displayed on the first floor.

Legislative Budget Board
Robert E. Johnson State Office Building
1501 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
The artwork is displayed on the fifth floor.

Texas Commission on the Arts
E. O. Thompson State Office Building
920 Colorado
Austin, TX 78701
The artwork is displayed on the fifth floor.

 

2012-2013 Reflections Theme

The Magic of a Moment theme was submitted through the Theme Search Contest
by Kate Eldredge of Braun Station Elementary PTA located in San Antonio, Texas.

Promotional and Recognition Resources

High Resolution The Magic of a Moment Logo - PDF File -
High Resolution The Magic of a Moment Logo - JPG File -
Low Resolution The Magic of a Moment Logo - JPG File -
Web Resolution The Magic of a Moment Logo - GIF File -
Reflections Promotional Flier - Coming Soon
Reflections Poster 12"X18" - Coming Soon

 

Timeline for Returning Reflections Artwork

  • Texas PTA will return all Visual Arts and Photography entries to the Reflections Chairs of each Council or Area from which artwork was received.
  • One shipment will be made to the Council/Area Chairs once the exhibit pieces have been returned to the State office around mid May.
  • The Council or Area Reflections Chairs will arrange for the artwork to be delivered to their respective schools.

 

Reflections Deadlines

  • Local PTA (School) - A Local PTA's Reflections deadline, for students to submit their entries, will be set by the school's PTA. Please check with the Arts in Education Chair or the
  • PTA President for this deadline. Texas PTA recommends that the Local PTA set this deadline no earlier than October 30th. The Local PTA will advance 20% of their entries to the Council or Area level. (If a Local PTA is not a member of a Council PTA, their entries are advanced to the Area PTA.)
  • Council or Area PTA- The Council or Area PTA's Reflections deadline is set by that Council or Area PTA. The Local PTA's Arts in Education Chair or PTA President must contact their Council or Area PTA for this deadline. Texas PTA recommends that the Council and Area PTAs set this deadline no earlier than November 30th. The Council and Area PTAs will advance 10% of their entries to the State level.
  • Texas PTA - The Texas PTA Reflections deadline is January 18th. All advancing entries must be received by the deadline. Texas PTA will advance 24 entries to the National level. There will be one entry advanced from each age group in each arts area. State results will be posted on the Texas PTA Web site in March.
  • National PTA - The National PTA Reflections deadline is March 2nd. National results will be announced between the months of June and July.

 

2013-2014 Reflections Theme Search Contest State Results

Thank you to all students who participated in the Reflections Theme Search Contest. With over 430 themes
to choose from, Texas PTA had the difficult task of selecting five entries that would advance to the national level of judging. National PTA will select one theme to be used for the 2013-2014 Reflections program and
the winning student will receive a $100 award. Final results should be available in June 2012.

Good luck to our Texas students!

From Your Front Porch
Dylan Douthitt
Ashley Elementary PTA, Frisco

My Smile Reaches my Eyes When . . .
Erika Moseman
Bluebonnet Elementary PTA, Flower Mound

Everyday Miracles
Gina Nored
Roy Lee Walker Elementary PTA, McKinney

Dare to be Different!
Kevin Baca
Homestead Elementary PTA, Carrollton

Bloom Where you are Planted
Wes Walker
Moss Haven Elementary PTA, Dallas