Reflections Art Contest

Explore the arts and express yourself!

All Centreville Elementary School (CES) students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to participate in the CES PTA Reflections Art Contest. This National PTA program encourages students to explore the arts and express themselves by reflecting on a specific theme and creating original artwork for fun and recognition.

How to Enter

Please follow these steps carefully to submit your entry by the November 6th deadline. Entries that do not follow the instructions or meet the requirements will be disqualified.

1. 1. Download the Entry Form: Access the form in the "Entry Forms & Rules" section below, or pick up a paper entry from the PTA bulletin board.

1. 2. Complete the Form: Fill out the student information section only. **Do not** alter the pre-filled PTA section at the top of the form. The form must be hand-signed by both the student and a parent/guardian.

1. 3. Digitize the Form: Once completed and signed, take a clear photo or scan the form.

1. 4. Format Your File Names:

      • Entry Form:
        studentlastname.firstname.category.grade.entryform (e.g., Smith.Joseph.literature.3rd.entryform)

      • Artwork:
        studentlastname.firstname.category.grade.artwork (e.g., Smith.Joseph.literature.3rd.artwork)

1. 5. Submit via Email: Email the digital entry form and the digital artwork together in a single message to reflections@centrevillepta.org. Use the student's name and grade as the email subject line.

1. 6. Submit Hardcopies (If Applicable): If the original artwork was created in a hardcopy format (like a painting or drawing), you must submit a digital photo of it via email as a visual reference for the judges. You must also turn in the physical artwork to the main office (Attention: PTA) to be saved for potential use at the county-level competition.

If you have questions or need help with submission, please contact reflections@centrevillepta.org.

Entry Form & Rules

Required Entry Form

(This signed and completed form must be submitted with the artwork)

• Reflections Entry Form

Category Rules

• Visual Arts Category Rules: English | Spanish

• Photography Category Rules: English | Spanish

• Music Composition Category Rules: English | Spanish

• Literature Category Rules: English | Spanish

• Special Artist Division Requirements: English | Spanish

Evaluation Criteria

A panel of qualified judges from within our local community (teachers, local artists, etc.) will evaluate student entries based on the following:

2026-27 Reflections Timeline

Student Recognition & Prizes

All participating students have a chance to win prizes from the PTA and will receive a certificate of participation, a Reflections art display in the school, and recognition on the morning announcements.

Category winners in our local CES contest will advance to compete at the Fairfax County Council of PTAs, Virginia PTA, and National PTA levels.

National PTA Level Awards:

• Outstanding Interpretation Award: $800 Young Artist Scholarship, Gold Medal, Certificate, work featured in the virtual exhibition, and a $200 Prize for the CES PTA.

• Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship, Silver Medal, Certificate, work featured in the virtual exhibition.

• Merit Award: Bronze Medal, Certificate, work featured in the virtual exhibition.

Past CES Reflections Winners:

• 2026-27 Winners: TBD

• 2025-26 Winners: CES | FCPTA | Virginia | National

• 2024-25 Winners: CES | FCPTA | Virginia | National

• 2023-24 Winners: CES | FCPTA | Virginia | National 

Official Rules & Eligibility

By submitting an artwork, entrants accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation. Any violation of these rules may result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers are final.

1. Eligibility: Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA. A student may develop an entry inside or outside of school.

2. Arts Categories: Centreville Elementary is accepting entries for visual arts, literature, photography, music composition, and dance choreography.

3. Grade Divisions: Primary (PreK-Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grade 6), and Special Artist (All grades). The Special Artist Division offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g., adaptive technology, transcribing) for students to participate fully. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process.

4. How to Enter: Entrants must submit their artwork and student entry form to the CES PTA according to the specific procedures outlined above.

5. Entry Requirements: Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Each entry must contain a title and an artist statement (between 10 and 100 words). Use of copyrighted material or PowerPoint templates is prohibited.

6. Finalist Selection: Entries are reviewed primarily on how well the student uses their artistic vision to portray the theme, originality, and creativity. Under no condition may parents or students contact a reviewer to dispute the status/score of any entry.

7. Ownership and License: Ownership remains the property of the entrant, but entry constitutes irrevocable permission for the PTA to display, copy, reproduce, print, publish, and distribute for PTA purposes. The PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries.

8. Participating Entities: This program is administered by the National PTA and PTA affiliates.