PTA Reflections Art Contest 2026–2027
Calling all Eagle Rock Jr/Sr High student artists!
Eagle Rock Jr/Sr High PTSA is excited to kick off this year’s National PTA Reflections Art Contest!
The 2026–27 Reflections theme is:
“What My Culture Means to Me”
What does culture mean to you? It might be your family, traditions, heritage, language, neighborhood, music, food, friendships, school community—or something completely unique to your experience.
Use your creativity to tell your story through one of six arts categories:
Dance Choreography | Film Production | Literature
Music Composition | Photography | Visual Arts
And remember—Visual Arts includes much more than drawing and painting! Graphic design, jewelry, sculpture, fashion design, collage, and other forms of visual art may qualify.
Can I enter more than one category?
Yes! Students may enter more than one arts category. Each artwork must be an original creation and submitted as its own entry.
Not sure which category fits your idea? Take a look through the category guidelines before getting started.
Where can Reflections take you?
Reflections begins right here at Eagle Rock. Selected entries can advance through additional levels of PTA judging, with the possibility of recognition at the district, state, and national levels.
Students from the Eagle Rock community have previously been recognized by California State PTA and have even advanced all the way to the national level.
ARE YOU NEXT?
Entry Deadline
All Eagle Rock entries are due Thursday, November 5, 2026!
Don’t wait until the last minute! Be sure to review the rules and category requirements before submitting your work.
Before You Submit
Every entry must include:
- An original work created by the student
- A unique title
- An artist statement explaining how the work connects to the theme
- A completed Student Entry Form
- All requirements for the selected arts category
Students using digital tools should also carefully review the current technology guidelines when preparing their entries.
Reflections Resources
California State PTA General Reflections Rules
Arts Category Guidelines & Entry Tips
Eagle Rock Reflections Entry Form / Submission Link – Links coming soon
Ready to create?
Your idea doesn’t have to look or sound like anyone else’s. Reflections is about sharing your interpretation, your creativity, and your voice.
SHOW US WHAT “MY CULTURE MEANS TO ME” MEANS TO YOU!
Questions or need help with the rules or entry process?
Email Eagle Rock Jr/Sr High PTSA at reflections@eaglerockhsptsa.org
California State PTA Awards
Outstanding Interpretation
State-level Outstanding Interpretation honorees receive recognition at the California State PTA Annual Convention, the opportunity to showcase their artwork in the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery, and prizes including an Outstanding Interpretation plaque, award and certificate.
Award of Excellence
State-level Award of Excellence honorees have the opportunity to showcase their artwork in the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery and receive prizes including an Award of Excellence medallion, award and certificate.
Award of Merit
State-level Award of Merit honorees have the opportunity to showcase their artwork in the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery and receive prizes including an Award of Merit medallion and certificate.
California Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries advance to represent California in the National PTA judging round.
California PTA Reflections Site
National Level Reflections Awards
State PTAs may submit up to 30 entries to National PTA for consideration—one entry per arts category, per division.
At the national level, more than 200 student artists are recognized across the Reflections arts categories and divisions. National awards include:
Merit Award
Bronze Medal; Certificate of Merit; artwork featured in the virtual exhibition
Award of Excellence
$200 Young Artist Scholarship; Silver Medal; Certificate of Excellence; artwork featured in the virtual exhibition
Outstanding Interpretation Award
$800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; artwork featured in the virtual exhibition; plus a $200 prize for the student’s Local PTA Unit
National-level winners are announced annually on May 1. National PTA continues to celebrate and showcase winning student artists and their work throughout the year.
Selection Criteria
Entries advancing to the national level go through two rounds of review by arts professionals from across the country.
Reflections entries are evaluated using three criteria:
Interpretation of Theme — 40 points
How closely the artwork relates to the theme, based on both the work itself and the student’s artist statement.
Creativity — 30 points
How creative and original the work is in its interpretation and presentation of the theme.
Technical Skill — 30 points
The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles and techniques of the selected arts category.
Interpretation Matters!
The interpretation of the Reflections theme is the most heavily weighted part of judging. Students should think carefully about both their artwork and their artist statement.
Each entry must have a unique title and artist statement. The artist statement must be at least 10 words and no more than 100 words and should help judges understand the student’s personal interpretation of the theme and creative process.
When developing your title and artist statement, think about:
- How does your artwork connect to “What My Culture Means to Me”?
- What personal meaning or story does your artwork communicate?
- What choices did you make while creating your work?
- What inspired your idea?
- How do the materials, techniques, sounds, movements, images, or words you chose help express your interpretation?
Remember: a strong Reflections entry isn’t just about technical skill. Your idea, your story, and how you interpret the theme matter most.