For the past three years, Paly senior Tim Qin has submitted artwork to the PTA Reflections Art Contest, only to have his artwork not progress past county-level judging.
However, in this year’s contest, Qin’s artwork made it through the Santa Clara County level judging and was unanimously chosen to continue in the contest at the state-wide level.
“I was very shocked and happy [when I found out],” Qin said. “I did not know what to expect after I submitted the piece.”
According to Roxane Mehta, Arts Chair for Palo Alto PTA Council, seven out of 24 entries in different categories from Palo Alto will continue on to the state level.
Qin was unsure when he would be notified of his results in this contest.
“It was just another day, checking my email,” Qin said. “This was a pleasant surprise.”
The contest, which national PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson began in 1969, asks students to submit original pieces in the areas of literature, musical composition, photography, visual arts, dance choreography, or film/video production. Judging first takes place at the school level and then continues on to judging at council, PTA district, state, and national levels.
One entry in each age group and category represents each county at state level. The state winner is sent to the national competition, according to Mehta.
This year’s selected theme is “Wow!” according to the Reflections program Web site.
Qin is a member of the Senior Visual Arts division of the contest.
Qin has been drawing since childhood and uses a wide variety of materials, including paint, colored pencils, charcoal, and even erasers. To hone his talent, Qin began taking private drawing lessons in high school.
“I do art because it’s fun and exciting,” Qin said. “I like that there are no conventions for personal expression in art.”
Awards will be given during a ceremony at 7 p.m. March 5 at the PAUSD office at 25 Churchill Ave.
Editor’s note: The original version of this story incorrectly stated in its lede that Qin had not progressed past council-level judging until now. Qin had not progressed past county-level judging. The current version of this story reflects this change.