2008 Reflections Program Theme: "I can make a difference by..."

National PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts 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 create and submit works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage).

Students participate in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to their local PTA or PTSA. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor a Reflections Program.

Rhode Island Reflections dates to remember:

February 1, 2008: All artwork is due at The Artists' Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square Cranston RI 02910 between 10am and 6pm.

February 7, 2008: Reflection Installation/Opening - 6:30pm to 10pm.
The Artists' Exchange will be open for the viewing of the students' artwork. People can come and go and browse, but there will be no formal ceremony. There will be live music from 7pm-10pm because of Open Microphone Night.

February 21, 2008: Awards Ceremony!
This is also the end of the Art show and all artists or a representative must take the work home that evening.

Five Reasons to run the PTA Reflections Program:

1. Students need more opprtunities to create works of art for fun and recognition. The Reflections Program provides an outlet for students to creatively explore what they are learning in the classroom.
2. The Reflections Program is run by parent volunteers, thereby providing another opportunity to involve parents in their children's education.
3. Participation in the Reflections Program gives students a chance to experiment in the arts.
4. When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, dance, film, and other art media, they grow intellectually; they learn to analyze their thoughts and feelings.
5. The Reflections Program helps parents recognize, support, and enhance their children's continuous process of self-discovery.

We are very fortunate to have the Artist Exchange supporting us again this year. Along with hosting the artwork, they will be awarding each participant who moves on to the RI PTA State Level with a 50% off certificate for a class at the studio. They will reward those moving to the National PTA Level with a free class at their studio! This is a very generous offer, as the cost of a class begins at $120.00.

Please visit the National PTA website at www.pta.org for rules, flyers, instructions for entries, etc. You must use your username and password from the back of your membership card to access this section of the website.

Wendy Seufert is our RI State PTA Reflections Chairperson. She can be reached at wendygs139@aol.com.