JAMESTOWN – An awards ceremony for this year’s local winners in the National PTA Reflections Art Program is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Prendergast Library, where artwork from the 2012 and 2013 Reflections Program will be on display for the public from 6 to 8 p.m.

Pictures will also be shown by other area students, including those from elementary schools that have been participating in workshops hosted by Lifetouch Photography.

The Reflections Program, which encourages young people to create works of art for fun and positive recognition, celebrates artists in six categories: photography, literature, visual arts, dance choreography, film production and musical composition.

“We believe there is an artist inside every child, and that artist should be celebrated,” according to Erika Zielinski, Reflections Coordinator for the Southwestern Region PTA.

“Each year, National PTA challenges students from across the country to submit theme ideas. The student who submits the winning entry receives a cash award and that theme is used as the foundation for the Reflections Program in a following year. Students’ shaping the direction for each Reflections Program year is one of National PTA’s greatest points of pride,” Zielinski said.

The National PTA Reflections Art Program has been bringing families, schools and communities together in support of student success through the arts since 1969. In 2012, the Southwestern Region PTA, covering Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties, revived the program locally. From about 30 entries received on the theme “The Magic of a Moment,” five were submitted for statewide judging. A photo by second-grader Mercedes Johnson of Fletcher Elementary School was awarded the New York State PTA Award of Merit and displayed at its convention.

In 2013, the five local winners with entries submitted to the state for judging on the theme “Believe, Dream, Inspire,” were Caleb Micciche, photography; Abrielle Monaghan and Joshua Zielinski, literature; and Donovan Hubbard and Katherine David, visual arts.

Students from UPK through Grade 12 are eligible to submit artworks on the 2014 Reflections theme “The World Would be a Better Place if….” More information can be obtained at the Art Showcase, through local schools’ PTA or from Zielinski at southwesternrd@nyspta.org.

Prendergast Library is located at 509 Cherry St., Jamestown. For information, call 484-7135.