Reflections Art Program

Reflections Program Information

I Belong… is the Reflections theme for 2025-2026! Happy creating!

DEADLINE: November 8, 2025

PROGRAM: Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. The entries will be judged on the art piece and the artists' statement. The artists' statement must explain how this art piece fits the theme. There are 4 rounds including local, council, state and national each with different awards. 

REQUIREMENTS: Students should download the Program Rules below to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form. Hard copies are available in the front office. Participants must be a student PTA member for 2025-2026 or have a PTA member in their household. Join at www.joinpta.org. 

• Student Program Rules Packet: English | Spanish

• Student Entry Form: English | Spanish  (fillable and printable)

• TX PTA Reflections Website: www.txpta.org/reflections

SUBMISSIONS: Complete the Google Form below if you are submitting an entry for any Reflections category. In this form, there are options to upload your Student Entry Form and artwork images/files. If you would like to submit more than one entry or category, submit an additional form with a separate Entry Form. All entries must be digital, whether you use this Google Form or email files. 

QUESTIONS: Contact our Reflections chair with any questions at reflections@mcmillanjrhighpta.com.

Creative Ways to Explore “I Belong!”  

Each person will have a unique way of creatively portraying “I Belong!” because each group we belong to is unique to our own experiences. With so much to capture, this year’s Reflections theme is a great opportunity to use symbolism, metaphor and new styles to portray the feelings and emotions that come along with a sense of belonging–or feeling excluded. Alternatively, artists can use their craft to describe a persona experience where they felt they understood what it means to belong. Make sure you use your artist statement to help explain your creative decisions and how your artwork connects to the theme.  

There are even more opportunities for creative thinking across the Reflections arts categories! Here are just a few ideas to get begin working on your entry: 

• Expressive Movement in Dance Choreography: Find a song that captures how you feel about belonging and use dance or movement as a form of artistic expression. Moving your body in response to music or emotions can help release feelings and foster a sense of connection with yourself. 

• Personal Documentaries in Film Production: Create a documentary about your own experiences with belonging and/or exclusion. This can help you process your feelings and share your story with others. 

• Write a Story in Literature: Tell the story of your experiences using different characters, settings and plot points that help share how  belonging feels. This can help you process your journey and see it from a new perspective.  

• Collage Making in Visual Arts: Create collages using magazine cutouts, photographs, and other materials to create a cohesive image. Focus on how you personally define belonging, identity and community to help you visualize and explore your feelings in a tangible way. 

• Instrumental Pieces in Music Composition: Create instrumental music that evokes the feelings associated with belonging. Rather than lyrics, use melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to express emotions like acceptance, and connection. Use style-specific instruments to represent your piece as part of a larger musical style and narrative.  

• Symbolic Imagery in Photography: Set, stage and capture an image with different pieces that jointly symbolize belonging, such as group activities, or shared spaces. Use these symbols to create a visual narrative about connection and togetherness.