Reflections Art Contest 

This program is hosted by the National, Washington State and Mercer Island PTAs. Your contributions to our Lakeridge PTA Ask Campaign and PTA volunteers help support this program for our students.

ABOUT the reflections art contest 

The National PTA Reflections Art Contest is America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind.  It was designed to encourage students to explore their talents by creating an original piece of art relating to that year’s specific theme.  Each year, students in grades Pre-K to 12 are recognized for bringing a theme to life through six different art categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.  Entries are judged by grade level.

In addition, the National PTA has a Special Artist Division, a non-grade specific category limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act.

PTA Reflections Art Contest – 2026–2027

Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that encourages students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through the arts. It helps students build artistic skills, boost confidence, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Students in grades Pre-K to 12 are invited to create original works of art inspired by this year’s theme: “What My Culture Means to Me”

Students may submit entries in one or more of the following categories:

Finalists from MISD will move on to the state level. Washington State PTA finalists who receive an Outstanding Interpretation award will then advance to the National PTA level.

Please review the official Reflections rules and category guidelines carefully. Students may submit one entry per category, but are encouraged to participate in multiple categories. Each entry must be the student's own original work and include a title and a 10-100 word artist statement, explaining the artwork and how it relates to this year's theme.

Reflections also offers an Accessible Arts division for students with disabilities, who receive services under IDEA or Section 504.

Submission deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026 by 4:00pm.

For Visual Arts and Photography, please also drop off a physical copy in the Reflections box at your school’s front office.

Reflections art award ceremony

Wednesday, February 24, 2027

Time TBD

IMS Commons

Click Here to view the 2025–2026 MISD district winners and honorable mentions. 

contact

For more information on this year’s 2026-2027 Reflections competition, please contact Sunny Yoon, Lakeridge Elementary’s Reflection Chair, at reflections@lakeridgepta.org.