PLMS Reflections 2024-25

Theme: ACCEPTING IMPERFECTION

The deadline to submit entries is Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Reflections® is a National PTA program that has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969 and increasing community awareness of the importance of arts in education.  The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works for the theme. Click here to read more on the WA State PTA Reflections site.        

Rules:

Students may submit an entry in one, or all six arts areas. Only original works are accepted. (Up to six entries/student, total.) Twelve PLMS finalists will advance to the Issaquah School District Competition.

Categories:

• Literature -- works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
• Music Composition -- original musical composition, with or without words.
• Photography -- prints have a maximum finished size of 18 x 24 inches in color or black and white, including techniques: photogram, retouched, montage, sandwich and multiple exposure.
• Visual Arts -- drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling. A maximum finished size of 18x24 inches.
• Film/Video -- original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
• Choreography/Dance -- originally choreographed dance composition

Entry Deadline: October 23, 2024

We encourage all students to participate by following these simple steps. 

1. Create an original artwork based on this year’s theme: "Accepting Imperfection" One submission per category per student.  
2. Fill out your digital entry form (fillable PDF) including all fields, typed signatures
3. Write your artist statement to explain how your artwork relates to this year’s theme
4. Photograph, scan, record your artwork to digital format.  You will need to create an electronic version of your artwork.  We will accept .jpg, .pdf, .img, .png file formats for visual arts and literature. Please rename your file with the following format (with no spaces): ArtCategory_Art Title_Student First and Last Initials For example: visualarts_Hopeful_KC.png 
5. Submit your digital artwork, typed artist statement, AND completed entry form by October 23, 2024. Please submit your completed artwork and entry form HERE. Digital copies of artwork must be less than 1 GB and less than 5 minutes duration.  If your student is entering a large digital file, please email plmsreflections@gmail.com in advance for upload details. 
6. Submit your physical artwork by Oct 23, 2024 following the instructions given after submitting digitally if necessary.
7. TIP: Avoid some common errors.  Make sure to sign the entry form and the form is complete.  Make sure your name is NOT on the front of work.
8. TIP: You will need to submit a digital picture of your Visual Arts artwork.  When taking a photo of visual art to upload, make sure the entry is in good light, camera is aligned straight with artwork, and crop everything else out. 

 For more information, questions, contact plmsreflections@gmail.com