Hello Mills Families,
Mills PTA hopes you and your student(s) are excited about the Reflections art contest. Have you been wondering what Reflections is about? Please read the Frequently Asked Questions and testimonial below…
Q: Is Reflections an after school program?
A: No. Reflections is a participation program (as well as competition) offered by PTA. Entries should be inspired by this year’s theme Look Within. All students that submit their entries in one of the 6 categories (dance choreography, literature, film production, photography, visual arts, and music composition) will have their entry recognized at a Celebration Gallery at Mills on Thursday, November 14th at 5:30 PM. The entries deemed the top 20% will move on to the Austin city PTA level.
Q: When are entries due?
A: Entries are due by the end of day on Friday, October 25, 2019. There is a Look Within box in the front office where entries can be submitted. Be sure to include your entry form with your entry!
Q: How do I enter?
A: Submit your entry(s) in the Look WIthin box in the front office. Entries must be accompanied by an entry form. You can find the forms in the office or on the Mills PTA website. Dance, Film, and Music entries must be submit on a USB drive. Literature entries can be handwritten or typed. Photography entries cannot be any larger than 11x14 including matting and should not be framed. Visual Arts entries cannot exceed 24x30 including matting and should not be framed.
Q: Can you show me an example of past entries?
A: Yes. The Texas PTA website has a gallery of past winners for last year’s theme of “Heroes Around Me”.
Q: Are there rules for each category?
A: Yes! Please go to the Reflections page on the Mills PTA website to read the rules for each category.
Q: Do you know of anyone that has participated in this program?
A: Yes! Our very own 5th grade teacher Mrs. Jackson has experience with the program. Her daughter participated in high school. Her description of her daughter’s experience is:
“My daughter entered the Reflections contest in high school last year in the Music Composition category. She won at the school level and her name was announced on the intercom and put in the weekly letter from the principal. She won again at the city PTA level and her name was announced again. She then received an honorable mention at the state PTA level and was awarded a lovely certificate and was again listed in the newsletter and called out over the intercom for the whole school to hear. This contest boosted her self confidence and gave her a way to shine.”
Q: How are the top 20% entries chosen?
A: Entries are analyzed on artistic merit, creativity, mastery of the medium, and interpretation of the theme by a non-Mills affiliated judge or judges qualified in that specific category. Note that a well-developed concept carries more weight than the technique. Emphasis is on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme.
If you have any further questions, please contact Kathy Adelson at kathy.adelson@axiaoi.com.