Craft an Entry

Entry Checklist & Reminders

National-Level Requirements

• Student Artist: The artist (student submitting entry) is a person who captures their own thoughts and ideas to create a visual piece of art.  

•  2D artwork (e.g., painting): Must include at least 1 digital image of artwork for judging. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including matting. Paper entries must be mounted on sturdy material. Framed artwork is not accepted.

• 3D artwork (e.g., sculpture): Must include at least 3 digital images of artwork at different angles for judging. Artwork containing loose materials and/or requiring assembly/repair from transporting is not accepted.

• Accepted formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.

Reminders

• Reproductions or Replications: Inspiration may come from existing artworks or artistic styles, but the final piece must be entirely new and reinterpret the elements that compose the piece (e.g., color, shape, size, medium, values, message). 

• Photographic Collages: Collage entries are artistic compositions made of physically combing various materials (such as paper, cloth or wood) to create a new image. Collages may include photos, but should include other material and elements visually transform the photographic elements.

Category Tips: Artist Statement and Title

Titles and artist statements can be useful in sharing details specific to your artwork that help capture your creative process and theme interpretation. Consider the following:

• Describe the style (abstract, realism, impressionism, surrealism, etc.) and how it aligns with the theme, your interpretation or creative vision.

• Mention significant steps in your creative process, including medium, techniques and influences.

• Explore how your goals, artwork, creative ideas and inspiration evolved during the creation process.

• Explain important symbols and how they connect to the theme or contribute to the overall meaning of the piece.

Image Quality Tips

Tips for creating, finalizing and saving a high-quality image file for your submission.

• Sizing and quality: Digital images should be at least 640x960 pixels and 300 dpi resolution, so they are clear and visible to reviewers.

• Take clear photos: Make sure your photos are clear and simple. Avoid any extra blank space or distractions around the artwork.

• Avoid reflections: If your artwork has shiny surfaces, be mindful of reflections. Adjust the lighting or angle to minimize glare.

• Fill the frame: Try to fill the camera frame with your artwork, leaving only a small border around it. Don't use digital zoom because it lowers the image quality. Instead, move your camera closer.

• Use diffused light: Natural light on a cloudy day is best. If using artificial lights, place a white sheet between the lights and the artwork. Avoid using your camera's flash as it can change the colors and create shadows.

• Photographing 2-D art: Position the camera so it faces the artwork directly. The lens should be at the center of the artwork and not tilted. Ensure the lighting is even across the entire piece.

• Photographing 3-D art: Take photos from different angles to show all sides of the artwork. To show texture and depth, use a stronger light on one side to create slight shadows.

• Take multiple shots: Take several photos and check them as you go. Make small changes to the lighting or setup to get the best shots.

Copyright and Plagiarism

These are basic guidelines that all Reflections entries must meet to be eligible on the national level. Additional state and/or local program requirements may apply.

Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme are accepted. Engaging with the theme and creating inspired artwork is a critical element of Reflections. Students may not “recycle” artwork by submitting a piece created for other purposes (e.g., homework not related to Reflections; art used in another competition).  

Each entry must be the original work of one student only and only one student will be awarded for each entry. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, artistic assistance from friends, family and/or teachers is not allowed. This includes:

• Artwork Details: Titles or artist statements must be the student’s own words and interpretations of the theme.
• Creative Choices: Decisions in the creative process must be made and/or directed by the student. If support is required, it should be limited and appropriate to the student’s grade and needs.

Each entry must contain a title and an artist statement. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words. Each entry submitted in Reflections must have a unique title and artist statement specific to that submission. Learn more about crafting a title and artist statement in the section below.

Digital technology and/or software may not provide the primary design and/or concept, but can be used to develop, enhance and/or present an entry. Entries may not be exclusively created with generative tools (e.g., AI) and/or composed exclusively of elements generated or provided by the technology platform. If digital technology is used, entrants must use the “Additional Details” field to provide a brief description of the tools and method used in the creation process, including any generative elements (10 to 50 words).

Examples of unaccepted use of technology can include:

• Drawings/paintings/illustrations composed of generative elements and/or unoriginal, downloaded materials.
• Using templates, formulas, graphics provided by a platform/technology and used as-is without heavy student customization.
• Plot, characters and/or literary elements generated by a platform/technology.
• Algorithmic composition techniques in music submissions.

Examples of acceptable uses of technology can include:

• Using a sound library generated performance of a composed score. 
• Heavy customization and adjustments to templates, formulas, graphics, etc. provided by a platform/technology and designs.
• Assistive tools to add or remove objects to a photo or film footage or review original writing to find errors.

Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of copyrighted material is not acceptable, including any copyrighted cartoon characters, material downloaded from the internet, copyrighted recorded music or copyrighted photographs or stock images, except for the following:

• Entries may include public places, well-known products, trademarks or certain other copyrighted material as long as that copyrighted material is incidental to the subject matter of the piece and/or is a smaller element of a whole. The resulting work cannot try to establish an association between the student and the trademark/business/material or influence the purchase/non-purchase of the trademarked good.
• If background music is used in dance choreography and film production entries, it must be cited on the entry form (title, composer and performer).

Visual arts, photography and film production entries may include portions of existing copyrighted works, such as photographs, magazine or digital media clippings and/or type cut out of a newspaper, as long as those portions of copyrighted works are used to create a completely new and different work of art.

Digital Tools and Technology

Digital technology and/or software may not provide the primary design and/or concept, but can be used to develop, enhance and/or present an entry. Entries may not be exclusively created with generative tools (e.g., AI) and/or composed exclusively of elements generated or provided by the technology platform.

Accepted:

• Prototyping an original idea, design, or concept with generative tools before creating the final submission.

• Using digital tools to draw/illustrate/create an original entry

Not Accepted:

• Creating an entry composed of generative elements and/or unoriginal, downloaded materials.

• Entries composed with generative elements and/or unoriginal, downloaded materials, including templates, formulas, graphics, drawings, paintings, etc.

Guidelines

• Describe Use of Technology: If digital technology is used, entrants must use the “Additional Details” field to provide a brief description of the tools and method used in the creation process, including any generative elements (10 to 50 words). 

• Verify Prohibited Technology: Check if your state PTA prohibits the use of any digital platforms and/or methods (i.e., artificial intelligence).