Reflections Art Program
2023-24 Theme: I am Hopeful Because...

The Reflections' Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. Students can use their creative talents to express themselves through original artwork to submit to the competition. 

Twelve Grand Ridge Elementary finalists can be chosen to advance to the Issaquah District level.

Entry Deadline: October 30th, 2023

Drop off the artwork with the Grand Ridge entry form attached before the end of the school hours at the Grand Ridge Main Office. All Grand Ridge participants will be recognized for their contributions at a reception and twelve finalists will be selected to represent Grand Ridge at the Issaquah School District level.

Reflections Reception: November 13th, 2023

All families of participants are invited to a reception to view the artwork in Grand Ridge's multi-purpose room on November 13th at 6pm. Families can drop-in when they like and there will be a short presentation and recognition of the artists. 

Program Details

A student may submit up to two entries in one category and submit entries for all six categories if they are feeling very creative! Only original works of art are accepted. Please follow the specific guidelines for each art area. The six art areas are:

• Literature -- works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.

• Music Composition -- original musical composition, with or without words.

• Photography -- prints can be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. They can be 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 24x30 inches including matting.

• Film/Video -- original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.

• Choreography/Dance -- originally choreographed dance composition.

Official Entry Form

Download Student Entry Form here

Drop off by 4pm on October 30, 2023 in the Grand Ridge office. Each art project should be submitted with a completed entry form. Please take extra care when filling in the Title, Details, and Artist Statement portion.

Rules & Guidelines

To ensure your entry can move on to the higher levels please submit artwork that adheres to the following rules and guidelines. Click on the links below for detailed information.

Literature Rules

Music Composition Rules

Photography Rules

Visual Arts Rules

Film Production Rules

Dance Choreography Rule

Special Artists

The Special Artist Division is a non-graded division limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act. Qualifying students entering this division create their own artwork but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one Special Artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation Award. Up to five additional Special Artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence. Find out more info here.

The annual Reflections theme is created by a student and selected two years in advance through the annual theme search contest. The 2023–2024 Reflections theme is "I am Hopeful Because..." submitted by Alice Meko from Hampton Cove Elementary PTA in Alabama. 

If you have any questions on the entry process, contact the PTSA Reflections chair grandridgereflections@gmail.com.

Congratulations to our 2022-23 Reflections participants!

We had a lovely night celebrating all of our Grand Ridge artists and their work on the theme "Show Your Voice" in November 2022. And we wish our finalists the best of luck as they move to the District competition:

Film Finalist: Kiaan Chopra

Music Composition Finalist: Anika Iyer

Photography Finalist: Ruofan Han

 Visual Arts Finalists: Karen Chen, Deeya Chokkapu, Lana Elmusharaf, Arjun Iyer, Elijah Sewell, Arya Shitikond, Cruise Skokos, Iva Upadhyay, & Eric Zhang