Reflections / Arts and Language Competition

Explore the Arts. Share Your Story

BHS Reflections 2026–2027 is here!

What does culture mean to you?

Maybe it’s the food your family makes, a language you speak, music you love, a tradition you grew up with, or a place that feels like home. Or maybe culture means something completely different to you.

Whatever your answer is, we want to see it, hear it, read it, or experience it through your art!

The Bellevue High School PTSA invites all BHS students to participate in the 2026–2027 Reflections Art Program, a nationwide National PTA program that gives students an opportunity to explore their ideas and experiences through original works of art.

This Year’s Theme

“What My Culture Means to Me”

There is no single way to interpret the theme. Make it personal, creative, unexpected, or uniquely yours.

BHS Submission Deadline: November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Choose Your Creative Space

Students may submit original work in one or more of the following categories:

Draw it. Write it. Photograph it. Film it. Compose it. Choreograph it.

Choose the medium that tells your story best.

Art Areas:

Choreography/Dance: originally choreographed dance composition.
Film/Video: original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
Literature – works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories, and lyrics.
Music Composition – original musical composition, with or without words.
Photography: color or black and white, included techniques: photogram, negative sandwich, and multiple exposure.
Visual Arts: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.
The Accessible Arts Division is open to students with a disability.

Where Can Your Art Go?

Selected BHS entries will advance to the Bellevue School District 405 competition. District winners may then move on to the Washington State PTA level, with state winners advancing to the National PTA Reflections competition.

What Are the Judges Looking For?

Reflections isn’t simply about technical skill. Entries are evaluated on creativity and, importantly, how thoughtfully the work interprets the theme.

Your artist statement matters, so use it as an opportunity to help the judges understand the idea and story behind your work.

Art Rules: Click the categories below to see rules and guidelines.

Ready to Enter?

All required materials and artwork must be submitted online by November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Student Entry Form: Download and complete the Student Submission Entry form. Only students that attend at school with a PTA/PTSA may participate.

Please read directions carefully and fill the form out completely. Typed name for the student and the parent/guardian signature is acceptable. Submit this form with your artwork via the Virtual Submission instruction below.

Virtual Submission: You will use the BHS Reflections Google Form to submit your entry.

Student Entry Form and your Artwork must be submitted virtually via the Google form. You may need to create a Google account to submit the form if you don’t already have a Google account. IF you have trouble with the entry or submission forms, please email reflections@bellevuehighptsa.com for assistance.

Questions? Please contact Bongwool Hahn, Na Ni and Preeti Gupta at at reflections@bellevuehighptsa.com

Washington State PTA Reflections has more resources: Program Details, Previous Winners, FAQ etc. Please note that deadlines listed on the Washington State PSTA page apply to state entries.