National PTA’s Art Program Turns 50

 

Did you know we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National PTA Reflections Program this year? For the past 50 years, the National PTA Reflections program has encouraged students of all ages to explore and be involved in the arts. Through the program, National PTA and over 4,000 PTAs across the country encourage all students with all abilities to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice—dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography or visual arts—that reflect on the annual theme.

As a kick off to our celebration, we’re thrilled to announce we had the pleasure of interviewing three past participants, including our newest additions to the National PTA Reflections staff! Read the interviews below to learn more about the profound impact the Reflections program had on these women and how the arts are still a huge part of their lives!



Ellie Miller
comes from Chesapeake, VA and is now a specialist for our Programs & Partnerships department here at National PTA. She is also a practicing visual artist and spends her free time creating stunning works of art. When we learned she had previously participated in the Reflections program we knew we had to learn more!

Where and when did you participate in the National PTA Reflections program?

I participated in the Reflections program at Hickory Middle School in Chesapeake, VA. In 2008, when I participated, the theme was “I wonder why…”

What category did you participate in?

Photography!

What did the program at your school look like?

The program was announced throughout the school on the morning announcements. The PTA coordinated with interested teachers to plug the program to students who were “artistic” or who showed interest. I submitted my piece and then heard back about placement at a celebration event in the morning. The PTA invited my parents as a surprise and announced my placement at the event in the cafeteria.

What was your experience in (arts category) prior to participating in the Reflections program?

I had a little experience in photography at the time of participating. I used the program to test my interest in photography.

Did you participate in this program independently? Were your parents involved? How involved was your school/community?

This was probably the only activity I participated with the PTA, and in middle school. My parents helped with my art and attended the celebration to support me but were not involved in PTA past that.

How large of an impact did the Reflections program have on your interest with photography and visual arts?

The biggest impact Reflections had on my interest in art was the validation I received for just being an artist. As you get older it’s easier to understand the impact art has on you in terms of relaxation/mental health. But when you are a child and are still figuring out who you want to be as a person it is easy to get become discouraged. A program that leads to the validation and praise from adults encourages students to continue their work in the arts.

I came back to art later in my life and one of the memories that really encouraged me to get back into art was my experience with Reflections. The vivid memories I have of the process for creating my piece and the celebration for placing really impacted my sentiments towards art. The program has a certain amount of innocence in it that is sheltered from the more draining parts of art such as self-consciousness about skills and building the confidence to talk about your art. I can think about on this innocence when I feel discouraged about having few followers on Instagram or worrying what the point is in painting new pieces and holding onto them. This really encourages me and keeps me coming back to painting new pieces and trying to grow my skill.

If you’d like to view more of Ellie’s artwork, follow her Instrgram page, @oneina_millerion



Anabel Martinez-Pauline
participated in the Reflections program as a 6th grader in Orange County, CA. While she participated in the literature and photography categories, Anabel credits this experience with opening her up to all artistic genres and is now a professional musician and educator in Orange County. Earlier this year she made her Carnegie Hall debut as a chorister with two of southern California’s premier music organizations, Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale. She currently teaches choir at Los Amigos High School and was recently awarded October’s Employee of the Month at Garden Grove Unified School District!

What year did you participate in the National PTA Reflections program?

I participated in the 2001-02 program year. The theme was “I hold in my hand…”

What category did you participate in?

I participated in both the Literature and Visual Arts categories.

What did the program at your school look like?

It was a big deal at my school. They advertised it a lot. It was encouraged by our teachers and they incorporated it into class time.

How large of an impact did the Reflections program have on your interest with the arts?

Sixth grade was my favorite year of elementary school. I remember my school took a holistic approach to the curriculum in the sense that everything that we studied or did was connected or related to the arts. When I participated in the Reflections program, it fed creativity that kept up throughout the year. It made me feel like the arts were an integral part of what we did at school. It reinforced both my identity as a creative person and my value as a creative person. I remember being so excited by the Reflections program I ended up submitting four entries! Getting to submit to multiple categories empowered my creativity and the Reflections program helped reinforce the view to me that I was a creative person, which really opened the door to pursue music as I got older.



April Maddox
participated in the Reflections program while growing up in Salt Lake City. She credits the Reflections program as a major inspiration to develop her musical skills and eventually went on to receive a BA in Music and Political Science from the George Washington University in 2000. She then attended The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law and earned a JD in 2003. In her youth, April played with the Utah Youth Symphony. She also served as principal cellist with the Rocky Mountain Camarata (which toured the Western United States each year), the Jordan Youth Symphony, the Utah All-State Orchestra, and the Brighton High School Orchestra.

Currently, April is employed as an attorney for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, DC. When she’s not practicing law, April is still an active participant in the arts. Not only does she play cello in Cherry Blossom String Quartet (a professional quartet in the DMV area), she is also chair of the Arlington County Reflections program! She, her husband Joel, and their twin sons, Paul and Ben, live in Arlington, VA.

Where and when did you participate in the National PTA Reflections program?

I participated very heavily from 5th-8th grade in Salt Lake City, UT between 1988-1992. In the 8th grade, I made it to the State Level.

What categories did you participate in?

In my first year of participation, I only entered a submission to the music category and ended up winning an award. After the success of my first year, I was motivated to enter submissions to all four existing categories. Our school’s program gave Rainbow Ribbons to students who participated in all four categories, which also helped encourage my participation.

How large of an impact did the Reflections program have on your interest with music?

My participation was a big confidence builder. I was never good at sports and a lot of my pride at school came from being recognized by the Reflections program. I’ve always felt that with the arts you don’t always get much validation at school. Growing up, there were much more opportunities for recognition with sports in school and the Reflections program provided a very unique and special opportunity.

What impact has your participation in the Reflections had on your adult and/or professional life? Do you remain at all in the arts today?

The Reflections program really inspired me to develop my musical skills. I ended up going to college and majoring in music. Now I’m running the Reflections program at my kids’ elementary school and at the district level in Arlington, VA. Today, I still play cello regularly and play professionally with a string quartet called Cherry Blossom strings. Additionally, I still enjoy photography as a hobby. When you’re recognized for your artistic ability as a child, it gives you more confidence to pursue it as an adult.

How does your experience participating in the Reflections program as a child influence your decision to participate as a PTA leader?

I wouldn’t have stepped up to volunteer if I hadn’t done this as a kid. I remembered what a positive experience it was for me and wanted to create that positive experience for other children.

Click here to learn more about April’s string quartet!

Help Is Needed to Decide Art Program’s Theme

Did you know each year we hold a theme search contest for the National PTA Reflections program? For nearly fifty years, hundreds of students across the country have submitted theme ideas, and every year, one theme is chosen to serve as a catalyst for artistic creation for the following program year.

In addition to a $100 prize, winners receive national recognition by determining theme for the 2020-2021 Reflections program year. They also play a major role in inspiring hundreds of thousands of students to create original works of art and helping us celebrate the breadth of history of the last 50th years.

Interested in having a Theme Search Contest with your local Reflections program? Click here to see if your State PTA is hosting a Theme Search Contest.

We can’t wait to see what ideas students generate this year! To provide some extra inspiration, we’d like to share some past themes from the 2000s and the incredible artwork that was created as a result.

2000-2001: It Would be Really Strange If…

Name: Dillon Chilcoat

Division: Middle School Division

Title of Work: “It Would Be Really Strange if I Were Elected President

PTA: Earlywine Elementary PTA

City/State: Oklahoma City, OK

2002-2003: Signs of Courage

Name: James Kraemer

Division/Age: Middle School Division, Age 13

PTA: Five Forks Middle School PTSA

City/State: Lawrenceville, GA

2015-2016: Let Your Imagination Fly

Name: Anellina Jones

Division/Age: Primary Division, age 7

PTA: Wyoming PTA

City/State: Evanston, WY

Title: “Carboard Pilots”

2017-2018: Within Reach

Name: Erewyn Limric

Division/Age: Middle School Division

Title: “Yearning to Breathe Free”

PTA: Kalles Junior High PTSA

City/State: Puyallup, Washington

The 2018-19 theme is Heroes Around Me, selected by Hannah Crawley, a fifth grader from Corpus Christi, Texas! Right now, students are submitting works of art with this theme. It’s not too late to get involved – register now at PTA.org/Reflections!  

Next year, Reflections participants will have the opportunity to create original works inspired by the theme Look Within. This theme was submitted by Enashele Campbell, a Kindergartner from H. Guy Child Elementary PTA in Ogden, UT!

We hope you will take part in this annual contest to determine the theme for the 2020-21 year.

National PTA Art Award Program Enters 50th Year


This year, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National PTA Reflections program! Reflections was established in 1969 by National PTA Board member and past Colorado PTA President, Mary Lou Anderson. She was a huge advocate of arts education, and truly understood the value arts education brought to the lives of students. We’re thrilled that fifty years later, we’re continuing to further this important work!

What makes Reflections standout, unlike other awards programs, is that students from ALL grades are encouraged to explore ALL areas of the creative arts. This includes dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. We also offer a special artist division for students requiring special accommodations. Reflections encourages students to use their imagination and creativity to create original works inspired by the annual theme. We welcome all grades, all arts and all abilities.  This year’s theme is Heroes Around Me.

This is especially important because each art form offers unique benefits and skill-building opportunities. Reflections awards and exhibitions also support students by building their confidence and making personal connections to their school and community.

Celebrating the National PTA Reflections 50th Year

To commemorate the start of our 50th anniversary year, here are some ideas, tips and tools for encouraging all students to explore and be involved in the arts. It’s our goal this year to highlight stories of success throughout the program’s fifty years and we have a favor to ask – we want to hear from you! Please share your favorite Reflections stories with us using the hashtag #PTAReflections.

 Reflecting on this year’s theme: Heroes Around Me

It’s important to provide dedicated time and space for students to reflect on the theme. Choose a safe place where students can feel welcomed to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions about the world around them. Each reflection is unique based on individual experiences – where we live, what we do and who inspires us. And that’s what makes creative expression fun! Thinking outside the box and developing a personal voice through art.

Not only does our world influence our interpretations but the theme is also a way to see new perspectives and make new connections.

  • You can start a conversation with a group of students before/after school or lead a discussion with your family around the dinner table.
  • Teachers are also welcomed to use the theme in their classroom to engage students in their lessons or offer extended learning opportunities. Schools can also use the theme to support a grade-wide or school-wide theme.

 Promoting your Reflections Program

We encourage you to promote the theme in visible places across your school and community – Register at PTA.org/Reflections and use our toolkit to promote the theme and your local call for entries. Posters for the school lobby, community library; Video for morning announcements and enewsletters; and use the image bank to have fun creating your own fliers and invitations. Be sure to register at PTA.org/Reflections and visit your state program’s page for all rules, forms and deadlines. These are best shared on bulletin boards and displays in the school lobby, cafeteria, library or any classroom.

 Ideas for Hosting Reflections Events in School and at Home

Here are some ideas on how you can host Reflections events at your school and at home.

Hosting In School

  • Offer a Reflections Club
  • Invite the Whole Family to Your Meeting
  • Host a Family Art Night
  • Setup a Back to School Reflections Table

Hosting At Home.

  • Discover Cultural Heritage through Folk and Traditional Arts
  • Lead a Family Arts Club
  • Host a Party for Kids
  • Take a Family Field Trip

Contact to your state PTA’s Reflections program for all rules, forms and deadlines and register at PTA.org/Reflections to share your participation in the program. Questions? Reach out to your state PTA or email Info@PTA.org.