2024 Reflections Art Program

Now is the time! Dranesville Elementary PTA invites students to participate in the National PTA Reflections Art Contest!

Explore the arts and express yourself! Submit completed works of theme-based art, along with your artist statement, by November 15th.

Artwork should be on the theme of “Accepting Imperfection.”

Dranesville will accept artwork ONLY in the following categories:

  • Literature

  • Visual Arts

  • Music Composition

Submissions are accepted in the following Grade Divisions:

  • Primary (PreK-Grade 2)

  • Intermediate (Grades 3-5)

  • Middle School (Grade 6)

  • Accessible Arts (All Grades)

If a student wishes to participate in more than one category, they must fill out an application for each category submission.

Submissions due: November 15th!

Art Categories

  • LITERATURE is the art of writing. The author (student submitting entry) is a person who expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of words. Authors submit a single literary work, handwritten or typed, using grade-appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling.  


    Consider the following literary styles to portray your original work of fiction or nonfiction: Prose, Poetry, Drama, Reflective essay, Narrative, Short story. Collections of literary work (such as poems and short stories) are not accepted.

    Make sure to follow the guidelines for your work!

    Download Guidelines.

  • VISUAL ARTS include many art forms that are visual in nature. The artist (student submitting entry) is a person who captures their own thoughts and ideas to create a visual piece of art. 

    Accepted forms of visual art include: Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), digital art and graphics (drawings/paintings/illustration), crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiberwork, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes. Reproductions or enlargements of other artwork are not accepted. 

    Make sure to follow the guidelines for this category!

    Download Guidelines.

  • MUSIC COMPOSITION is the process of creating a new piece of music. The composer (student submitting entry) is a person who expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of sound. The student composer may submit an entry performed by an individual or group and/or make use of a sound library generated performance of a composed score. Student composers are not required to perform their composition, but a recording of the composition must be included. 


    Consider the following musical styles and instruments to portray your original composition: A Cappella, Blues, Choral, Country, Electronic, Hip hop, Jazz, Latin, Musical, Orchestral, Pop, R&B, Religious, Rock, Symphonic/Concert Band and Traditional.

    Make sure to follow the guidelines for this category!

    Download Guidelines.

Scroll down for instructions on how to submit your art!

Instructions on submitting your art

Please carefully follow the instructions below to ensure your child’s application is successfully submitted.

Separate submissions for each art category

If your child is submitting entries in multiple categories (Visual Arts, Music Composition, and Literature), please complete and submit a separate application form for each category using the Google form provided.

 Entry form requirements

  • Complete the fillable entry form. We highly encourage you to use the form provided.

  • Fillable Entry Form (english)

  • Fillable Entry Form (spanish)

  • Both the parent and the child must sign it before submission.

  • Required sections: Ensure that all the necessary sections are completed, particularly:

    1. The Title of the Artwork

    2. The Artist Statement

 If you are filling out the form by hand, please ensure the information is legible.

Upload Instructions

Please use the following file naming structure for each file when uploading using the Google form (https://forms.gle/GhPkVTiV8xusT7UL7)

For the Entry Artwork Files

File Name Structure: StudentLastname.Firstname.School.Category.AgeDivision."artwork"

Example: Doe.Jane.DranesvilleES.visualarts.primary.artwork

For the Student Entry Forms

File Name Structure: StudentLastname.Firstname.School.Category.AgeDivision."entryform"

Example: Doe.Jane.DranesvilleES.literature.primary.entryform

 Double-Check Before Submitting

  • Spelling: Please double-check that the spelling of your child’s name is correct on all forms.

  • Legibility: If you complete the application by hand, ensure all writing is clear and easy to read.

Submission Deadline

Please submit your completed application and your child’s artwork by November 15, 2024.

Thank you for your attention to these details! We look forward to seeing your child’s creative submissions!