Submissions are due Wednesday, October 29th, 2025!!
Reflections
The PTA invites ALL Weatherstone Elementary students to imagine, create, and belong!
What is Reflections?
A nationwide arts recognition program hosted by the National PTA to celebrate your voice and creativity.
Why Participate In Reflections?
The PTA Reflections program provides access to the arts and opportunities for recognition to help students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas using art and to develop confidence and a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The PTA Reflections Program aims to:
Inspire students and families to creatively engage around the annual theme.
Share resources to support families' artistic endeavors and access arts education opportunities.
Provide student artists access to recognition and celebrations for their creative talent.
Encourage continued participation in the arts.
Theme for 2025-2026
This year’s Reflections theme is “I Belong!” Think about what that means to you. Where do you feel most accepted, understood, or safe? Who makes you feel like you’re part of something? When do you feel most true to yourself?
You might reflect on:
A place where you feel at home — like your school, your family, your team, or your community
A group where you feel seen and supported
A moment where you felt proud to be yourself
A dream of what belonging could look like for you or for others
Use your feelings, ideas, or personal stories to create your artwork. You can express it through music, writing, film, dance, photography, or visual art — whatever feels right for you. Our school will have three divisions to submit under Primary (PreK–2), Intermediate (3–5), and Accessible Arts (504/IEP students; all entries go to State).
Categories
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Visual Arts
2D (drawings, paintings, digital, etc.): Max 24x30" (no frames)
3D (sculpture, ceramics, fashion, etc.): Submit 3 images (diff angles)
File format: JPEG, JPG, PNG
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Dance Choreography
Student must choreograph (can perform or have others perform)
Max 5 minutes; MP4, MOV, or AVI; Max file size: 1,000 MB
Cite background music
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Film Production
Student must be screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and producer
Styles: animation, narrative, documentary, experimental
No PowerPoint; Cite background music
Max 5 minutes; MP4, MOV, or AVI; Max file size: 1,000 MB
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Literature
Accepted: stories, poems, scripts, essays
Max 2,000 words; may be handwritten or typed
Single-sided on 8.5x11" paper or PDF
Translations required if not in English
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Music Composition
Student must compose (can perform or have others perform)
Audio file required: MP3 or WAV; Max 5 minutes, 1,000 MB
Middle/High: include score (PDF) or short (≤100 words) explanation
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Photography
Single photo only (no collages)
Digital edits allowed
Print: 3x5" to 8x10" (no frames)
Digital: JPEG, JPG, PNG; Min 640x960 px at 300 dpi
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Accessible Arts Division
Use standard rules for chosen category
Accommodations allowed (adaptive tech, physical help)
Supporters may assist only physically, not artistically
Max 5 minutes; MP4, MOV, or AVI; Max file size: 1,000 MB
Creating Your Title and Artist Statement
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.
While creativity is important with titles and artist statements, there are certain requirements for Reflection entries to keep in mind 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 the theme.
Titles and statements must reflect the student's age and/or support needs. Any guidance provided by an adult (e.g., teacher, parent, guardian) should be minimal and non-artistic.
Judging
Submissions are due to Weatherstone PTA via google form by Wednesday October 29, 2025 and will be judged blindly (so make sure you don’t sign the front of your art!) The top 2 per category/division will be submitted to Wake County’s level contest on November 1st. The winners from Wake County will be submitted to the state contest by December 6th, 2025. Spring 2026 national winners will be announced, date to be announced.