Reflections Arts Contest

Reflections is a national PTA program to honor student creativity in six categories. This year, Garfield’s PTSA will be accepting original student work in six categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and 2D/3D Visual Arts.

In 2024-25, the national theme is “Accepting Imperfection”

Submission deadline for Garfield is FRI, NOV 22
Download a Reflections entry form here
For assistance with your entry, contact arts@garfieldptsa.org

Judges will choose a limited number of entries to forward to the citywide Reflections contest, run by Seattle Council PTSA. Winners at the citywide level are entered in a statewide level and might even make it to the national level.

—> ENTRIES ARE FREE! More info below.

Category Details

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY is the act of creating movement. The choreographer (student submitting entry) maybe the performer or one of the performers, but the choreographer does not have to perform in the entry. Entries are submitted as a video file, no more than 5 minutes in length.

Consider the following styles and ensembles to portray your original choreography: Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Folk Dance, Religious Dance, Dance Ensembles (color guard/indoor guard), Ice Skating/Dancing and Gymnastics-floor Routine.

See Dance Choreography category guidelines for 2024-25

FILM PRODUCTION is the process of making a film. The producer (student submitting the entry) is not required to appear in the film but if the student chooses to, a camera tripod may be used. All screenwriting, directing and editing must be done by the student producer. All entries must be original student footage. Entries are submitted as a video file no more than 5 minutes in length.

Consider the following styles to portray your original work of fiction or nonfiction:

- Animation: Demonstrates motion by sequencing still objects or using computer-generated graphics.
- Narrative: Tells a fictional story developed by the student.
- Documentary: Presents facts and information.
- Experimental: Explores movement, light and montage.
- Multimedia: Uses a combination of different contents (text, audio, still images, animation, etc.)

See Film Production category guidelines for 2024-25

LITERATURE is the art of writing. The author (student submitting entry) is a person who expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of words. Authors submit a single literary work, handwritten or typed, using grade-appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling. Entries are submitted as a digital document of no more than 2000 words.

Consider the following literary styles to portray your original work of fiction or nonfiction: Prose, Poetry, Drama, Reflective essay, Narrative, Short story. Collections of literary work (such as poems and short stories) are not accepted.

See Literature category guidelines for 2024-25

MUSIC COMPOSITION is the process of creating a new piece of music. The composer (student submitting entry) is a person who expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of sound. The student composer may submit an entry performed by an individual or group and/or make use of a sound library generated performance of a composed score. Student composers are not required to perform their composition, but a recording of the composition must be included. Entries are submitted as audio files of no more than 5 minutes in length.

Consider the following musical styles and instruments to portray your original composition: A Cappella, Blues, Choral, Country, Electronic, Hip hop, Jazz, Latin, Musical, Orchestral, Pop, R&B, Religious, Rock, Symphonic/Concert Band and Traditional.

See Music Composition category guidelines for 2024-25

PHOTOGRAPHY is the process of creating an image. The photographer (student submitting entry) is a person who captures their own thoughts and ideas with a camera. By focusing on objects using various lenses, filters and light sources, photographers may demonstrate the use of photographic techniques conventionally or digitally. Entries are submitted as a digital file at least 640 x 960 in size at 300dpi resolution.

Accepted forms of photography include: A single photo, panoramic, photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), a multiple exposure, negative sandwich or photogram. Original black-and- white and color images are accepted.

See Photography category guidelines for 2024-25

VISUAL ARTS include many art forms that are visual in nature. The artist (student submitting entry) is a person who captures their own thoughts and ideas to create a visual piece of art. Entries are photographed, and submitted as digital files. Garfield’s Reflection Coordinator will assist in this process.

Accepted forms of visual art include: Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), digital art and graphics (drawings/paintings/illustration), crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiberwork, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes. Reproductions or enlargements of other artwork are not accepted.

See Visual Arts category guidelines for 2023-24

Submission Process

Read the category guidelines, which include detailed instructions.
Download a Reflections Entry Form and fill out one for each entry (including artist statement and parent/guardian signature!
Submit your forms and entries by NOVEMBER 22
to Reflections Coordinator Karen Lewis (parent volunteer, arts@garfieldptsa.org) Contact me with questions, and for assistance preparing or recording your entry.

To print paper entry forms or to turn in completed forms and entries contact/visit:

2D or 3D VISUAL ARTS — Ms. WEST (atwest@seattleschools.org) in Room 302

PHOTOGRAPHY — Mr. LOUVIERE (celouviere@seattleschools.org) in Room 301.

To get a better sense of Reflections, view a showcase of finalists from 2023-24