It’s getting towards the wonderful time of year of falling leaves, pumpkin-lattes and family gatherings! It also means it’s time to collect submissions for your Reflections Program and gather judges to help you determine which awards will be granted to your program’s artists.
Judges can be a variety of people and do not necessarily need any artistic background to review the artist’s submissions. I do try to get people in the field. However, don’t stress if you can’t find them; it’s not necessary! As long as the entries are blind (without names) you can use teachers, administrators, and fellow PTA members. Sometimes this is a great way for people to become involved with your PTA especially because it is a one-and-done “obligation”. And, since judging is virtual, judges can also be from all around the world if you like!
Judges will need to select artistic pieces in each Reflections category based on Interpretation of Theme, Creativity, and Technique and determine which pieces are to receive the Award of Honor, Merit, and Excellence, in ascending order for each category. All Awards of Excellence pieces will move forward to the District level. Please keep in mind that all original Artwork will need to be turned into the District Office by Thursday, December 5, at 4:00pm, so the Award of Excellence winners at the District level may be selected shortly thereafter and forwarded to the State Reflections Program by the end of the year.
After you have forwarded your Award of Excellence entries to the District, consider a way to recognize all your participants for a job well-done!
Remember Reflections Program is not a Contest but a means to inspire the arts to youth.
You can create your own awards showcase, create a special window display, or ask your principal to join in on an existing monthly awards program or holiday show, You may want to create a certificate highlighting the artists entries or use the certificates and awards available through ShopPTA at www.ShopPTA.org. The possibilities are endless!
Whichever way, you choose, I hope you appreciate the brave ambition and talents of all participants and encourage them to continue to pursue art in the future!
If you would like additional information on Virtual Judging, please see the below links from Eric Thomas, CAPTA Reflections Chair:
Link to the Virtual Judging recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oCrdJWqx8YvnOhWD-J0xEuYFCCHmNA_x/view?usp=drive_link
Link to the Virtual Judging Steps: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hZM1zXUygBMX8LTIudvxbQBQzr8io6Iy/view?usp=drive_link
Judging Rubric: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MPSvr8bEEkEosbn7S2TZY4mf37yobZib/view?usp=drive_link