WHAT IS REFLECTIONS?
Founded in 1969, Reflections is an annual National PTA-sponsored art competition for grades PK-12. The goal of PTA's arts in education programming is to provide additional opportunities for all students to explore and be involved in the arts. Students submit their interpretation of the year’s theme in a category of their choosing and compete in one of three age groups: grade PK-2, grade 3-5, or Special Artists for students of all ages who have a disability and may be served by an IEP or 504.
All entries to Mitchell’s school-level competition will be showcased in Golden. Three Mitchell winners from each category in each age group will also have the opportunity to move on to the Jeffco district competition and possibly beyond to the State or National-level competitions. National Reflections winners are celebrated throughout the following year and can receive monetary scholarships.
The 2025-2026 Reflections theme is “I Belong!” and art works are due at Mitchell on Thursday, October 23.
WHAT ARE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork itself and the artist statement. This is the most heavily weighted part of judging.
Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its idea and its presentation.
Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.
HOW DO I GET MY CHILD INVOLVED?
Choose a Category: Dance, Visual Arts, Literature, Film Production, Photography, Music Composition. Students can compete in more than one category, but only one entry per student per category.
Fill out student interest form here. This does not commit your child, it only helps us plan for judging and keeps you in the loop on deadlines and info on where to collect submission materials, and where to submit.
Together with your student, read the overall entry guidelines and the category-specific guidelines for your chosen categories here. Students and families are responsible for ensuring that art entries meet eligibility requirements, or art works may be disqualified.
Submit art piece and artist's statement. The statement should tell us about what the work means to your child and their inspiration written by your child. This artist statement is an important part of the submission and weighed heavily in the judging so please don't overlook this piece. The category-specific guidelines (see Step 2) include helpful tips for creating compelling titles and artist statements.
Help your child follow the rules and meet the deadline, but let the creativity be theirs and theirs alone.
Help make the program possible by volunteering! Contact below!
IMPORTANT LINKS
Mitchell Student Interest Form, 2025-2026 which is the preferred first step of participation.
Fillable Student Entry Form, 2025-2026 which must be fully completed, signed, and submitted along with the student’s art work.
Entry and Category Guidelines, with essential rules, checklists, and tips to help ensure that the submitted art works meet competition requirements and wow the judges and everyone who will see them displayed!
Prior years’ National Award Winners
One-page Reflections Program Summary
FOR DETAILS or QUESTIONS:
Mitchell Reflections co-chairs: Elanor Sidman Lange and Dayna Dowdy.
