PTA REFLECTIONS ART PROGRAM

2026–27 Theme: “What My Culture Means to Me”

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What does culture mean to you?

It might be your family’s heritage and traditions, favorite foods and celebrations, music and art, sports and activities, your community—or even growing up with the beach and surf culture of Huntington Beach.

PTA Reflections is a national arts program that gives every student an opportunity to get creative, express themselves and tell their story through original artwork.

All Seacliff Sea Stars are invited to participate!

Create, Submit and Celebrate!

Every student who submits a completed entry will be invited to a special Reflections Pizza Party with the Principal! 🍕🎨

Entries Due by Wed, October 7

Six Ways to Create

Students can explore the theme through Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography or Visual Arts.

Students may enter more than one category, but each submission must be a different, original work created by one student.

Before You Begin: Each category has its own rules, file formats and submission requirements. Be sure to review the guidelines for your selected category before you start creating.

VIEW CATEGORY GUIDELINES

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Submit Your Entry Online

Complete one application for each entry. Each submission must include:

A title
An artist statement of 10–100 words explaining the inspiration, connection to the theme and meaning of the work
A digital file or clear photograph of the completed work.
For Visual Art & Photography - original entries must also be submitted in the Reflections drop box at the Seacliff front office. Write the student’s name, teacher and grade on the back. To keep judging anonymous, do not include a name or signature on the front.

CRAFT AN ENTRY - Info, Tips & Tricks from National PTA

Who Can Participate?

All Seacliff students may enter in the appropriate division:

Primary: Preschool–Grade 2
Intermediate: Grades 3–5
Accessible Arts: All grades welcome

Important Entry Reminders

Each entry must be the original work of one student.
Adults may provide encouragement, but they may not create, alter or influence the work.
Collaboration is not permitted, except as allowed under the Accessible Arts Division guidelines.
Other people may appear in or perform in an entry, but the entry itself must be created by the student listed on the application.
Only new artwork inspired by this year’s theme may be submitted.
The same artwork may not be submitted in more than one category.
Students must follow the complete rules for their selected category.
Plagiarized work will be disqualified.
Copyrighted material may not be used unless specifically permitted by the category rules.

How Entries Are Judged

Qualifying entries will be reviewed anonymously using three criteria:

Interpretation of Theme — 40%
How clearly the artwork and artist statement connect to the theme
Creativity — 30%
How original and imaginative the entry is
Technical Skill — 30%
The skill demonstrated through the techniques of the selected category

Entries placing first will advance through levels of the Reflections program:

Seacliff PTA → Huntington Union Council PTA → Fourth District PTA → California State PTA → National PTA

Learn More About PTA Reflections

For more than 50 years, the National PTA Reflections program has encouraged students to explore their creativity and express themselves through the arts.

[LEARN MORE ABOUT PTA REFLECTIONS]

[WATCH THE NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS VIDEO]