The Art Effect’s Art Institute inspires and motivates students ages 5-19, allowing young artists to explore materials, and their imaginations while preparing more advanced students for successful careers and acquiring merit-based scholarships to the nation’s best art schools in the visual and media arts. Graduates who complete the tracks of the Art Institute generate an impressive portfolio of original work.
Spring 2025 classes offer youth a variety of programming that allows them to hone their skills in their preferred mediums or explore exciting new materials.
Senior Project, Realistic Drawing & Painting, Portfolio Development, Drawing and Painting Human Figure, Adventures in Materials, and Digital Art & Illustration all started last week! The dynamic programming at The Art Effect combines both visual art and media art in immersive, experiential courses that allow youth to experience, explore and excel in the arts in Poughkeepsie and there’s still time to sign up for our other fall classes taking place later in the year. Click on any of the classes listed below for more information or to register online:
Art classes for youth and adults ages14 – 19+ Portfolio Development II: Fridays, 6 – 9pm (no class 11/23)
Full and partial scholarships are available to those in economic need. To apply for a scholarship, please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to cy@thearteffect.org.
The Art Effect is pleased to present the 24th annual Hudson Valley Regional PortfolioDay at the MJN (Majad J. Nesheiwat) Convention Center on Friday, October 4th, 2024, from 4:00–8:00 pm. Over 30 admissions representatives from top art colleges across the nation will talk to students and review their portfolios for scholarship eligibility to major art schools and universities.
This event is FREE to students, teachers, guidance counselors, parents, and interested members of the general public. Students should bring 10-20 examples of original, recent artwork. During the four-hour event, students have the opportunity to meet and speak with representatives from over 30 art schools and colleges. Students obtain catalogs, admission policies, and information on scholarship opportunities directly from their preferred schools. Students also bring their art portfolios for review and evaluation, giving them a true advantage in developing a strong college application. Many Hudson Valley youth and students at The Art Effect have discovered their future college at PortfolioDay and gained an advantage in the college application process.
“Portfolio Day gave me valuable critiques, including tips on how to photograph my work better and what I could tweak in my artwork. I am currently attending Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD), which I first discovered during virtual college visits. At last year’s Portfolio Day I spoke with a college rep who really helped me get the application process started,” says Amya West, alumna of The Art Effect & a Portfolio Day attendee in 2021.
For more information on PortfolioDay click here or call 845-471-7477.
Last week, the CONVEY/ER/OR Gallery hosted a successful closing of the Senior Project Exhibition. The local gallery provided the space for these emerging artists to showcase their talents and share their perspectives. This event marked the conclusion of a 12-week program completed by local high school seniors and gap year teens, who dedicated their time and creativity to produce high-quality, portfolio-ready art pieces.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the CONVEY/ER/OR Gallery for hosting this exhibition. Their support and commitment to fostering local talent has provided our young artists with a platform to connect with the community, and their support has contributed to the success of the Senior Project Exhibition.
As the exhibition comes to a close, we’ll continue to encourage and celebrate these emerging artists. CONVEY/ER/OR Gallery remains a space for artistic expression, and we’re excited about future collaborations that spotlight the creativity of our youth!
November 7 – December 12, 2023 Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Class via Zoom, link will be provided at signup
Cost $234
In this art portfolio development course, homeschool students ages 14-19 will develop a unique, dynamic portfolio while expanding on fundamental drawing and painting skills. Primarily working from observation, you will learn to balance life drawing with imaginative and photo based references. This class is virtual on Tuesdays from 1-3 PM with instruction via Zoom. Recommended for ages 14-19.
The Art Effect’s Art Institute provides artistic youth ages 14-24 with experiential learning opportunities in essential portfolio development and college preparatory skills through high-level art training, mentoring, and advanced educational experiences. The Art Institute inspires and motivates students, preparing them for successful careers and acquiring merit-based scholarships to the nation’s best art schools in the visual and media arts. Art Institute is a year-round, intensive, pre-college portfolio development program for motivated teens ages 14-19. Graduates generate an impressive portfolio of original work that demonstrates their pre-professional skills in the visual and media arts. See current and upcoming courses HERE.
To register: Please fill out the registration form here, and mail to: The Art Effect at 45 Pershing Ave, Poughkeepsie or email cy@thearteffect.org
NAHS members are seen as leaders in their field and often receive priority treatment when applying to college. Membership in the NAHS gives you access to college scholarships from the NAEA (National Art Education Association) that are not available to other students.
To be considered to be a member, you must fill out the application as well as submit a WEIGHTED high school transcript to The Art Effect, both by September 30, 2023. Your weighted transcript must demonstrate a cumulative average of 87 or higher to be considered. Transcripts can be submitted as attachments and emailed to hannarose@thearteffect.org
This year, NAHS will be holding meetings on the first Thursday of every month, starting October 5 and ending June 6. If you are chosen as an officer, you will also attend an additional meeting a month on the second Thursday of each month. Our first officers meeting will take place on October 12.
NAHS students will organize, plan, and host various art projects to benefit the surrounding communities, including public art murals and events like Hudson Valley Portfolio Day. These activities promote art to the community, and look great on an individual’s college application resume!
If selected, you will be expected to be actively involved in The Art Effect’s programming, pay the one time annual dues of $25, and to maintain a GPA of 87 or higher in your enrolled school.
We look forward to receiving your submitted transcript and virtual application form by September 30, 2023.
We will reach out with acceptance decisions by October 2, 2023.
This spring, twenty-nine seniors are graduating across The Art Effect’s programs and continuing their artistic journeys in college or career. Their achievements in the studio, the gallery, the classroom, and beyond are worth celebrating. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
Not pictured: Nastajia Epps (MVP After School Program), Myelle-Sanai Johnson (MVP After School Program), Jose Marrero (MVP After School Program), Deavin Moore (MVP After School Program), Dayiana Moore (MVP After School Program), Nicholas Regini (Art Institute), Melanie Rodriguez-Velasco (MADLab), Janelle Smith (MADLab)
Samuel Bates
Art Institute
Janae Brown
ArtsBridge, National Art Honor Society
Caleb Clark
Spark Studios
Celia Drury
Art Institute, Senior Project
Shawn Elliott
Spark Studios
Katia Estrada
ArtsBridge, Senior Project, National Art Honor Society
Dalya Hanel Sheshany
Art Institute, National Art Honor Society
Self Portrait, 2020
Gabriel Kladakis
ArtsBridge, National Art Honor Society, Trolley Barn Curatorial Team
The Art Effect’s Summer Art Institute (including Junior Art Institute) takes young artists on a deep dive into their chosen medium while building foundational knowledge of techniques, elements and principles of fine or digital art. Intermediate and advanced students will develop and elevate their technical skills to create a dynamic portfolio. High school students interested in pursuing a degree in the arts will meet with college representatives and receive portfolio critiques through each two-week session.
Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 4:30pm Dutchess Community College – Allyn Washington Center for Art & Science, 37 Gallery Circle, Poughkeepsie
Select a major based on the choices below. Each major includes different classes with developmentally-appropriate arts instruction. For more information, click on a two-week session below:
Foundational-level majors are recommended for youth ages 11-15 with little or no previous experience in fine or digital art.
Fine Art Foundations – Learn basic techniques, elements and principles of fine art through drawing, painting, mixed media, and collage. One digital art class is also included.
Digital Art Foundations –Learn essential elements and principles of digital art. Projects include digital painting, drawn animations, and graphic design. One fine art class is also included.
The Portfolio Foundations major is recommended for youth ages 12-16 in high school with introductory experience in fine or digital art, or advanced middle school students.
Portfolio Foundations –Begin to develop a dynamic portfolio in drawing, painting, and digital art while expanding on fundamental drawing and painting skills in both visual and digital arts. Primarily working from observation and reference photos, students will learn composition, color theory, mark-making and narrative illustration. Projects will include still life, landscapes, self-portraits, and more!
Portfolio majors are recommended for intermediate-to-advanced level high school students ages 14-19 with experience in digital or fine art.
Portfolio in Digital Art –Develop a dynamic portfolio while expanding on fundamental digital art skills in mark-making, working with layers, digital character design, animated expressive and narrative shorts, posters and web graphics, and digital composition.
Portfolio in Drawing & Painting – Use drawing, painting, and mixed media to experiment with conceptual works and create work that focuses on a personal vision and voice. Recommended for seniors with college applications on their mind.
Each morning begins with an all-student body circle up and an inspiration session where teaching artists share stories, personal works, and motivational wisdom. Next, each group works on in-depth projects within their own major, so that there is a cumulative total of 10 hours per week of deep focus work on their own projects. This is followed by an all-group lunch period where students can socialize. Students must provide their own lunch, snacks, and water. Sunscreen recommended. After lunch, there is an all-ages elective block, in which students can select which discipline they would like to explore outside of their major. Possible elective options may include figure drawing, portraiture, and 3D sculpture. More information on electives and selection will take place two weeks prior to the start of the program. Finally, during the last period of the day, the Foundations-level majors select a second elective class for further exploration of a new discipline, while the Portfolio majors dive back into their majors subject.
Early drop-off available for an additional $25/day (no earlier than 8:30am) Late pick-up available for an additional $25/day (no later than 5:15pm) Please email cory@thearteffect.org or call 845-471-7477 to schedulean early drop off/late pick up.
Additional Discounts
Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more weeks of camp.
Experience art through the eyes of talented teens who created an impressive collection of artworks, including drawing, painting, photography, digital animation, film, mixed media, and more!
Teen Visions is a culmination of hard work and dedication the work of selected young artists from The Art Effect’s 2022 summer programs including Summer Art Institute, Junior Art Institute, MADLab, Spark Studios, and D-LIT. It is an incredible accomplishment to be chosen for the Teen Visions Exhibition. As part of The Art Effect’s growing mission to empower youth as leaders who catalyze and engage the community through the arts and re-energize downtown Poughkeepsie, Teen Visions is exhibited alongside professional artists from The Art Effect’s annual membership community November 18 – December 9, 2022.
Join us for an opening reception on Friday, November 18 from 5-7pm
Dynamic programming at The Art Effect combines both visual art and media art in immersive, experiential courses that allow children to experience, explore and excel in the arts. Fall 2022 art classes begin September 18 with the exception of Senior Project beginning on September 8.
Click on any of the classes listed below for more information or to register online:
Partial scholarships are available to those in economic need. To apply for a scholarship, please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to cory@thearteffect.org.
