We had an amazing 2-Day Celebration at The Art Effect Featuring a Teen Art Exhibit & Film Showcase, Art-Making Activities, Hip Hop Performances, & Community Festivities!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 PKX FESTIVAL SPONSORS & FRIENDS
Ampact Alex’s Diner Boys & Girls Club of Poughkeepsie Brain & Body Coalition Celebrating the African Spirit Charlia Frank City of Poughkeepsie Community Matters 2 Crazy Over ART on tour Day One Dutchess County Pride Center Dutchess County Transportation Council Fall Kill Creative Works Forge Media Grand Canyon University Hip-Hop Healing Hudson Valley Justice Center La Cabañita Lemon Love Mama La’s Food for the Soul Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum Mr. Cool Ice Cream Truck Nubian Directions II New York State Council on the Arts Nubian Directions II Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet Poughkeepsie City School District Poughkeepsie Farm Project Poughkeepsie Public Library District Reggae Boys River Haven Youth Center Scenic Hudson SNUG Suprina Sculpture The Art Effect The Frances Lehman LOEB Art Center Vassar Brothers Institute Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park Woodstock Film Festival
Check out all the amazing artwork selected for PKX26’s art exhibition, which opened at the PKX Festival April 24 & 26, 2026. This peer-juried show is up in the Carole J. Wolf Gallery through May 22, with visiting hours by appointment, Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. To schedule a visit or inquire about purchasing a work, please contact Ana Fiore by calling 845-471-7477 or emailing ana@thearteffect.org.
"Don't Worry Your Head Off", Lily Ahmed (17)
Oil paint and acrylic paint, 14" x 11", NFS
"Add", David Almendarez (14)
Charcoal, chalk pastel, acrylic markers, ink, and graphite, 10.9" x 10.9", $150
"Disorder", David Almendarez (14)
Colored pencil and acrylic markers, 12" x 9", $300
"Me, Myself, and I", Nanami Ayoma (18) *2026 PKX Art Honorable Mention Award*
Pencil, acrylic paint, and origami paper on drawing paper, 16" x 20", NFS
"Whispers Behind My Tongue", Nanami Ayoma (18)
Charcoal and white chalk, 24" x 17", NFS
"Lamp-Side Station", Phoenix Barra (16)
Watercolor and white oil pastel, 24" x 18", NFS
"An Odd Peninsula", Jonah Campbell Miller (17)
Monotype print and ink, 26" x 15", NFS
"The 'American Dream'", Ariana Chuni (17)
Mod Podge, magazine, paint, and sandpaper, 11" x 14", NFS
"The Final Bite", Danny Dempsey (15)
Watercolor, pencil, colored pencil, pen, staples, and yarn, 17" x 18", NFS
"Rest in Power", Danny Dempsey (15)
Watercolor, colored pencil, and acrylic paint, 24" x 18", NFS
"Unknown Perspective", Adelina Deryabina (16)
Pencil, pastel, and chalk on paper, 12" x 16", NFS
"Man In A Box", Alaina Falciano (17)
Digital photograph, 8" x 10", $300
"A New Set Of Jaws", Owen Goodwin (15)
Acrylic paint, 10" x 20", NFS
"A Woman On The Couch", Owen Goodwin (15)
Acrylic paint, 24" x 18", NFS
"Friendly's Self Portrait", Kennedy Gray (17)
Pen and gel block ink, 24" x 18", NFS
"Through The Smoke", Dahlia Haselton (18) *2026 PKX Art Grand Prize Winner*
The PKX Festival is created each year by a team of youth in Poughkeepsie, but it is a festival truly FOR EVERYONE. Despite unpredictable weather, over 270 people joined us for the festival at the Family Partnership Center this year. Check out the highlights gallery below or visit the festival page to learn more about what this year’s PKX festival was all about.
Fall 2024 Youth Workforce Program opportunities (MORE INFO COMING SOON)
Spark Studios
PUF Studios: 8 N. Cherry St, Poughkeepsie
Spark Studios teaches film and media arts to empower youth voices, build workforce development skills, provide paid work experience, and help students get on a path to college and career success. Spark Studios will teach students ages 14-19 cutting-edge media production techniques, how to create original films and/or content, give industry exposure, and develop skills for entry into advanced level Art Institute courses to develop film portfolios.
MADLab is an “earn while you learn” arts-based career and skills training program that trains youth ages 14-19 in visual art, media art, and design careers. This session, youth will work on visual arts and graphic design projects while developing skills that could include painting, sculpture, public speaking, leadership, workplace etiquette, presenting, and critiquing.
Youth Arts Empowement Zone Curators
Trolley Barn Gallery: 489 Main St, Poughkeepsie
The Art Effect’s Youth Arts Empowerment Zone (YAEZ) curatorial training program is composed of teens ages 14-19 who lead the ongoing activation of the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone in and around the Trolley Barn Gallery. This session, gain community engagement and curatorial skills while developing your individual creative voice. The youth curators decide what is showcased at the Trolley Barn Gallery and design complimentary public events and workshops. Build skills in public speaking, collaboration, art handling, and marketing while participating in mentorship discussions with accredited local curators, artists and community leaders. This is a great opportunity to learn how the arts can guide community development and strengthen civic participation.
Applications Coming Soon.
Students who complete the program will earn a stipend.
To fill out an interest form and be alerted when more info is available, Click Here.
Please reach out to cy@thearteffect.org or 845.471.7477 with any questions.
The upcoming PKX Festival, themed “Droppin’ Jewels,” is deeply rooted in the wisdom and influence of Keli Faircloth’s grandmother, a beloved figure in her life. As an active member of The Art Effect’s programs and a vital part of the PKX Festival Committee and Youth Curatorial Team, Keli embodies the theme through her role as a knowledge keeper, inspired by her grandmother’s wise words: “Child, I just dropped some jewels on you.” This personal connection will fill the festival with a spirit of wisdom, creativity, and community empowerment, celebrating Poughkeepsie’s creative energy across generations.
MADLab students, Mahogany and Kierra Thomas embarked on a visionary project during a May sculpture intensive. Inspired by the theme of “Droppin’ Jewels,” they developed an idea of crystal-like trees to symbolize imparting wisdom. Under the guidance of artist Suprina Kenney-Troche, the students brought their vision to life. The outcome is an incredible gem tree, ready to captivate visitors at PKX Festival.
The gem tree serves not only as an inspirational piece of art but also as an interactive installation. Festival attendees are invited to participate by hanging pieces of wisdom or advice on the tree, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
Join us at the PKX Festival, April 20, for the unveiling of this special creation, where art, collaboration, and inspiration converge to create a truly memorable experience.
On Friday, April 19 at 6:30 PM the film festival kicks off with incredible short films produced by youth from around the country, as well as from the City of Poughkeepsie. Following the showcase, Poughkeepsie youth who participated in The Art Effect’s winter break workforce training intensive with featured artist Hezues R., filmmaker and media entrepreneur and Poughkeepsie High School alumnus, will debut their collaborative film, The Last String. The evening will culminate with an awards presentation and Q&A with the youth filmmakers.
2024 Film Festival Lineup:
Heart of Pearls (Hati Manek) Runtime: 4:05 Alessandra Low & Margaret Feliciano Singapore A young Peranakan girl rejects the traditional art of Kasut Manek for modern trends, machinery, and industrialization. She only learns the importance of her culture after a fight between her and her mother and takes the first steps to embrace her tradition after apologizing.
Anna McGee’s Wild Ride Runtime: 1:36 Ava Bounds, Age 18 Leeds, UK A teenager on the cusp of adulthood flies through her entire future while stuck in a traffic jam.
For All That Was Lost Runtime: 4:46 Will Hemphill & Nolan Crane, Age 16 Newport Beach, CA For All That Was Lost follows two brothers and their wives separated by war; examining the power of human connection, love and healing.
The Last Wipe Runtime: 5:10 Yaseen AlAradi, Age 20 The Last Wipe is a student short film about a struggling university student trying to go through life and washing cars for a living.
The Gouda News Runtime: 5:14 Chatham Rigsby Savannah, GA A little girl in an effort to sell cheese for a school fundraiser stumbles upon an ingenious marketing approach.
DoMi Runtime: 8:02 Johan Hernandez, Age 18 Poughkeepsie, NY In a modern-dystopian short film, a new social media app creates a descent into madness for kids, teenagers, and adolescents. This app attracts Friend, an aspiring influencer hoping to reach the top as soon as possible, and the protagonist is brought along for the ride.
Reflection Runtime: 2:19 Jay Lau Hong Kong, China
Excoriation Runtime: 3:22 Eva Iglesias Lorenzo Vigo, Spain A series of events envelop Theresa in an emotional journey of descent through the consequences of the OCD she suffers: Excoriation Disorder, leading her to harm her own skin. In this process, Theresa battles her own monsters to regain self-control and return to the world.
Wake Up Call! Runtime: 3:42 Sarah Gleixner, Age 20 Marysville, PA A college student gets an unwanted visitor in her dorm.
Dunkin’ Runtime: 8:32 Soly Gutierrez San Antonio, TX Determined to match up to his idol, Tim Duncan, an underachieving teen with a Napoleon complex organizes a slam dunk contest.
Chrysalis Runtime: 5:47 Cherilyn Audelia, Age 20 Tangerang, Indonesia Being colorblind, a man is now trapped in an unfulfilling job after he failed to become a pilot, searching desperately for unattainable happiness that makes him dependent on psychosis that erases the line between reality and his imagination.
The Man Runtime: 3:54 Maria Dmitrieva, Age 17 Russian Federation A fantasy about a cycle where a hunter tracks down a wolf and, after eating it, becomes one himself.
Join us on day two of this year’s PKX Festival, April 19th at the Trolley Barn Gallery for the World Premiere of the Who We Are music video created by the youth of Spark Studios.
Video edited by Raymond “Rayband” C., Spark Studios
Behind The Scenes with Spark Studios
Take a look behind the scenes as the Spark Studios youth prepare for this year’s PKX Festival’s Official Music Video, “Who We Are”! VLOG Produced by JD @jaydeegreat
This year’s PKX Festival, “Droppin’ Jewels” celebrates the richness of Poughkeepsie’s community, highlighting its assets, heroes, and the intergenerational creative energy that defines the city. Throughout the free, 3-day festival, families, friends, and the community will participate in family-friendly art and media activities, teen art exhibition opening reception, short-film screenings, food trucks, vendors, and more. All components of the festival are free and open to the public.
Music Video Youth Credits:
Maximus Barry Raymond Candido Sharie Ortiz Malika Oszip Sagiv Baker October Davis Jayden Thoman Lilly Oleary Max Goodhill Riley Slosson Wiles Assael Aiden Colby
Last month, youth from The Art Effect’s Spark Studios workforce program collaborated with award-winning filmmaker, Hezues R. on a short film titled, The Last String. The film will debut at this year’s 3rd annual PKX Festival Arts and Film Festival.
Featured artist, Hezues R., from Poughkeepsie, New York, stands out as a prominent figure in the world of media entrepreneurship and creativity. His collaboration with the youth takes on a special significance as their project discusses prevalent issues taking place in Poughkeepsie. He also showcased his expertise as a panelist last year at the PKX Reel Exposure Film and Photography Festival, further contributing to the discussion on media and creativity.
Hezues R. is an award-winning creative, recognized by the White House in 2014 as a Champion of Change for his work. His creative abilities extend to crafting globally acclaimed brands such as Boadicea the Victorious. Additionally, Hezues R. founded S.I.C. Film School, an education platform focused on social impact. Through this initiative, he works directly with youth affected by social issues, empowering them to create content that addresses those concerns.
The PKX Festival is brought to life by young individuals participating in The Art Effect’s Youth Arts Empowerment Zone (YAEZ) Liaison Program, the Trolley Barn Gallery Curatorial Team, Media, Arts, and Design Lab, and Spark Studios. These programs work to oversee the range of festival elements, ranging from reviewing art submissions and the conceptualization of themes, to the curation of the exhibition, crafting of promotional content, selection of performers, coordination of community activities, and the creation of public artworks.
In a weeklong winter intensive, eight youth participants address critical social issues affecting them or their community today. The concept of the video revolves around hidden messages designed to bring attention to homelessness and pollution. Together, they worked on a video to shed light on these societal concerns.
The youth participants’ film, The Last String, will be unveiled at the PKX Festival on Friday, April 19 at 7:00 pm at the Trolley Barn Gallery. Join us to view this compelling film and hear from Hezues R. and selected youth to discuss the project and their work.
PKX Reel Exposure International Teen Film & Photography Festival is looking for volunteers to help out across all three days of the festival! Volunteers are integral to all aspects of the festival, including set-up, gallery attendance, welcoming guests, and running fun public art activities.
This is a great opportunity to help promote youth creativity, and to experience all the excitement of a Hollywood film premiere, right here in downtown Poughkeepsie.
In a weeklong spring break intensive, nine youth discussed mass-media messages that they felt had influenced their perception of self, then brainstormed ways to subvert these harmful stereotypes and misrepresentations. Topics included teen mental health, masculinity, and women’s representation in sports. Koenig-Vinicombe led the group to edit videos from contemporary sources of mass media, distort old video tapes, and create layers of physical collages. Through greenscreen and digital editing techniques, the youth combined these three mediums and created new and empowering short videos about their chosen topics.
In an era of constant media inundation, this intensive was a great opportunity for youth to practice cultural literacy, learn new artmaking skills, and express their own unique points of view. “I believe it will be powerful for the public to see the kind of media that has impacted the youth, and hopefully inspire new media with these new perspectives in mind,” Koenig-Vinicombe stated.
The youth participants’ completed videos will be unveiled at the PKX Reel Exposure Festival on Friday, May 5 at 7:30 pm at the Trolley Barn Gallery. Join us to view this thought-provoking projection and hear Koenig-Vinicombe discuss the project and his work.
About the final art:Media Metamorphosis is a video art installation created by eight youth at The Art Effect in collaboration with artist William Koenig-Vinicombe. The two-channel video was produced for this year’s PKX Festival, which took place over three days in May. Using found footage to analyze misrepresentations in popular media, the project recontextualizes imagery through collage and various video art processes to explore the transformative potential of video art. Media Metamorphosis invites viewers to see the world around them through a new lens and to critically engage with the media they consume.
The PKX Festival is conceived and produced by youth in The Art Effect’s YAEZ Liaisons workforce program, which is working to establish the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone in the immediate blocks surrounding the Trolley Barn Gallery. This long-term collaborative effort between The Art Effect, the City of Poughkeepsie, and other community partners seeks to engage locals and visitors through youth-led art projects that celebrate Poughkeepsie’s creative vitality.
Media Metamorphosis Youth Artists Lauren Baer Jaylamarie Belton Aiden Colby Melonnie Fullwood Richard Graham Yazmin Rivera Nyhkaii Tissiera Shandrela Williams
Guest Artist William Koenig-Vinicombe
Visit the PKX Reel Exposure Festival website for the full festival lineup and to RSVP for select events. Limited space; reserve your place now!
