This year, the PTSA Reflections art contest invited students to explore the theme “I Belong.” Reflections has been a crucial arts program in many schools. It encourages creativity and self-expression through various art forms, including visual arts, photography, film, music, dance, and writing.
“Students can submit any type of art form as long as it attaches to the theme,” Arts and Education Chair for PTSA Rylin Owen said. “After that, you will go through multiple rounds of judging and eventually be given a final ribbon”.
All students are encouraged to join and display their creative interpretations of the theme. The purpose of this contest is to encourage students to showcase their expressions and help them tell their personal story through various art mediums.
“Nobody should be scared to join this contest,” Owen said. “The judges understand that there are different levels of talent. It never hurts to try.”
The contest has a few general rules that must be followed in order to participate. All entry forms must be fully completed, and PTA membership is required. Students may submit multiple entries in multiple categories; however, all artwork must be original, inspired by the theme, created by a single student, and created without the use of AI for art creation. Copyrighted material is not allowed, except when properly cited as background music in film or dance entries. Unfortunately, 3D artwork is not accepted; only 2D visual arts are eligible for submission.
Artworks must follow this year’s theme, “I Belong.” Through expressing themselves in this way, students can share their genuine emotions and convey what belonging means to them, whether it’s within their school, community, culture, or personal identity. Through their artworks, they can communicate powerful messages about inclusion, identity, and connection within society.
“I think this theme is important for students right now because it’s important for everybody,” Owen said. “It gives them a chance to show who they really are. Kind of like answering the question, ‘Who am I?’, expressing why they belong.”
For more information and forms, visit txpta.org/reflections.
