Reflections Art Program Sees Some Success In Bonney Lake

BONNEY LAKE, WA - To help inspire kids to get involved in the arts, local resident and mom Lacy Frye volunteered to coordinate the National PTA's Reflections arts program at Bonney Lake's Donald Eismann Elementary School. Following a modest turnout but otherwise stellar response from the community, Frye is now hoping to see the program grow and expand throughout the region.

The Reflections program annually sees more than 300,000 students nationwide in grades Kindergarten through 12 produce original works of art spanning six different categories that all fall in line with the yearly, student-selected theme. Those students who make it through regional and state judging later have an opportunity to win national-level awards, such as:

• A Merit Award: Bronze Medal; Certificate of Merit; Work featured in the traveling exhibition;
• An Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship; Silver Medal; Certificate of Excellence; Work featured in the traveling exhibition; or
• An Outstanding Interpretation Award: An expense-paid trip for awardee and chaperone to showcase work on stage at the National PTA Awards and Reflections Celebration; $800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; Work featured in the traveling exhibition; $200 Prize for Local PTA Unit.

According to the National PTA website, the program "has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life."

The Reflections program had existed in various forms in Bonney Lake over the years but until recently had seen a drop in participation. When Frye heard about what it does for the kids who get involved, she said she immediately jumped onboard to lend a hand.

From selecting judges to coordinating with the school to get the word out, Frye organized and promoted the program simply as an interested parent and volunteer, she said.

"It builds skills for later life and prepares kids for getting involved," she said. "But mostly it's a lesson in progression — a work in progress — and kids learn a lot about following through. Plus, with such a variety of things for them to do, why wouldn't you want this for your kids?"

With a kindergarten-age son and a daughter in fourth grade, Frye told Patch she was personally invested in the program beyond just wanting to see other kids and families get involved. But the interest she saw generated in the beginning apparently did not transfer to actual participation.

"There was tons of interest when I first brought it up," she said. "It just didn't happen."

Altogether, 21 kids from Donald Eismann in grades K through 5 submitted 26 entries for Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Of the 26 entries for the local competition, eight were forwarded to the state judges for national consideration.Locally, Frye's chosen judges included Bonney Lake business owners, art and science teachers, the owner of a local art studio, a Seattle-based artist and her husband (a general foreman who has helped construct local art installations), and a local tattooist.

"This is a stepping stone for these kids; so, I wanted actual artists to come and judge," Frye explained. "This is not some small, podunk art program."

And the individuals Frye solicited to help judge did not treat it as anything less than a huge opportunity for the kids involved.

"I was excited to participate as a judge because I love supporting the arts, especially when it builds community and empowers children," said Seattle-based artist Kate Rose Johnson. "I love that a major factor with this competition is the requirement for children to complete artwork on their own, which is a bit uncommon, I think. That process builds character and confidence and an invaluable sense of independence."

"It is invaluable. Art is definitely something that makes you think outside the box," said Ink City Tattoo Studio artist Samson Buckholtz. "It demands creativity and for someone to push the limits. Being exposed — especially at an early age — is very important because it can be a form of self expression."

But Frye says the somewhat confusing process of getting the Reflections program established locally may be a deterrent for parents who don't understand (or have the time to figure out) how the program is supposed to work. Because there were so few participants across the six categories and various age groupings, some entrants who provided the only submissions for their categories were automatically forwarded along.

Going forward, Frye hopes to get some help to really promote the program and see it recruit even more kids who have an interest in artistic creativity, boosting the competition.

"I would hope we'd have a group of two to five (program coordinators) setup when school starts (for 2019-2020)," she said. "With everyone on the same page at the beginning of the school year, we could have a kickoff event to generate excitement — like at other schools.

"The few people running Reflections at their local schools and regions are working really hard to keep this program alive," Frye continued. "But with communication to the Sumner-Bonney Lake school district, I'm hopeful we can get a bigger push than just a flyer sent home that the kids or parents may never take a look at."

For the kids who participate, even if they don't win nationally, the program plants a seed that could help them all the way through to college, Frye said. So, by the time they graduate, with years and years of art projects under their belt, their portfolios could be extensive.

"Getting there is tough, but the end result is worthwhile for the kids taking part," she said.

The Donald Eismann judging occurred back in December, with Frye's deadline to forward the chosen selections to state Jan. 19. State results will be shared between now and the end of March, with national judging slated to be complete by May 1.

For more information on the program, including how to establish the Reflections program at your school, visit PTA.org/Reflections.

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