PLMS Reflections 2026-27

Theme: What My Culture Means to Me

The deadline to submit entries is November 6, 2026 

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 -- Digital editing techniques may be used, but collages, collections of photographs, and photographs with added graphics are not accepted. 

Digital minimum: 640 × 960 pixels at 300 dpi 
Accepted formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG 

• Visual Arts -- Create an original two-dimensional or three-dimensional work of visual art. 

2D artwork: May not exceed 24 × 30 inches, including matting, and must include at least one digital image of the artwork. 

3D artwork: Must include three digital images showing the artwork from different angles. 

Accepted digital formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG 

• Film/Video -- original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film. Do not include the student’s name or other identifying credits anywhere in the film, including opening or ending credits. 

• Choreography/Dance -- originally choreographed dance composition 

Entry Deadline: November 6. 2026 

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

1. Create an original artwork based on this year’s theme: "What my culture means to me" One submission per category per student.   

1. Fill Out Entry Form 

1. Write your artist statement to explain how your artwork relates to this year’s theme 

1. 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  

1. Submit your digital artwork, typed artist statement, AND completed entry form by the deadline. 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.  

1. Submit your physical artwork by the deadline following the instructions given after submitting digitally if necessary. 

1. 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. 

1. 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.