Award-Winning Student Artwork Exhibited
at the U.S. Department of Education

National PTA Reflections Winners' Art Featured at Dept. of Ed

ALEXANDRIA, VA. (January 9, 2012)—National PTA® and the U.S. Department of Education will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, January 13th celebrating the opening of an arts exhibit featuring award-winning artwork from dozens of students nationwide. The ceremony commences at noon at the Department’s headquarters (LBJ Education Building) in Washington, D.C.

Selected from the 2010-2011 Reflections Program, themed “Together we can…”, the special exhibit celebrates National PTA’s Reflections Program and its long-standing commitment to providing opportunities for children to receive recognition for their artistic ingenuity.

“We commend the U.S. Department of Education for recognizing students’ artistic achievements at a national level. As we see more schools continue to cut funding for the arts, it is important that we remind schools and families how the arts help children develop valuable learning tools that are essential to their education. That’s why National PTA’s Reflections Program continues to encourage children to tap into their imaginations by creatively expressing themselves through the arts,” said Betsy Landers, National PTA President.
 
The event marks the first time the U.S. Department of Education, National PTA and the National Endowment for the Arts all demonstrate national support for PTA’s Reflections Program. Dozens of arts education advocates and leaders from across the country will attend. Notable speakers include:

•     Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, Department of Education;
•     Otha Thornton, President-Elect, National PTA;
•     Deba Leach, Arts Education Counselor to the Senior Deputy Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts;
•     Sunil Iyengar, Director, Research & Analysis, National Endowment for the Arts.

The ceremony will also feature special performances by student award winners and distinguished artists, including:

•     Dancers from CityDance Conservatory
•     Singers and instrumentalists from Young Artists of America
•     An eight-piece string orchestra from Cabin John Middle School

Hosted at its headquarters in Washington D.C., the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Art Exhibit Program, now in its ninth year, features visual art created by students in U.S. and international schools. The program provides students and teachers an opportunity to display creative work from the classroom in a notable public space that honors their work as an effective path for education and learning for all. To visit the “Together we can…” exhibit at the U.S. Department of Education, contact Nicole Carinci at (202) 453-5585 or at nicole.carinci@ed.gov. The exhibit will be on display for public viewing through March 7, 2012.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

About the Reflections Program

In its more than 40-year history, the Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. PTA believes that all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six arts areas: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which include art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage). For more information about the National Reflections program please visit, www.PTAreflections.org.