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Join The National Art Honor Society

Welcome BACK TO SCHOOL? , Back to Art Class ?, and Back to the National Art Honor Society!

The Art Effect is currently recruiting for the 2022-2023 school year. The Art Effect’s National Art Honor Society (NAHS) Chapter #2242 recognizes 9th-12th grade students of high academic and artistic standing throughout the Hudson Valley. The NAHS encourages students to reach their highest level of professionalism and prepares students for a career in the arts. Members serve their community by designing and painting public murals, raising money for scholarships and local organizations, creating public art projects, participating in community art events, and helping set up student exhibits. ??? ???? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???????. Learn more about the National Art Honor Society Here.

Register for fall art classes

fall art classes

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:

Adventures in Shadow Puppets, ages 5-8
Adventures in the Arts, ages 4-7
Exploring Drawing & Painting, ages 8-11
Exploring Puppetry, ages 8-11
Foundations in Digital Art & Illustration, ages 11-14
Foundations in Drawing & Painting, ages 11-14
Foundations in Printmaking, ages 11-14
Portfolio Development Foundations, ages 14-19
Portfolio in Character Design & Comics, ages 14-19
Portfolio in Digital Illustration, ages 14-19
Portfolio in Drawing & Painting, ages 14-19
Portfolio in the Human Figure, ages 14-adult
Senior Project *Must be a high school junior, senior or gap year student

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.

BoogieRez

Come check out the unveiling of the public art installation created by some of The Art Effect’s youth and this year’s INCREDIBLE guest artist @riiisaboogie @rezones
Learn more about the PKX Festival:Wonderland and how YOU can get involved https://thearteffect.org/event/pkx

BoogieRez and The Art Effect’s PKX youth will unveil the public art installation on Saturday, September 17 at the Trolley Barn Gallery, 489 Main St, Poughkeepsie during the PKX Festival!

Call For Artists

The Trolley Barn Gallery and the PKX Festival Committee are looking for performers for the First Annual PKX Arts Festival in Poughkeepsie, NY on September 15-17, 2022!

Are you ready to share your gifts with the Poughkeepsie community and beyond? We are looking for creatives of all kinds to perform at the PKX Festival happening September 15-17! Visit @PKXFestival on IG for more info or click here to apply

The festival will feature the unveiling of an original public art commission, food, performances, and creative activities in and around the Trolley Barn Gallery on Main St, Poughkeepsie. In support of local youth, community, and the arts, PKX is expecting over 200 participants. The event is free of charge, open to the public, and will be advertised throughout the Hudson Valley. 

We are excited to incorporate a variety of live performances during the duration of the festival, and we need you! 
Please keep in mind that this is a youth-friendly event and the music played should be appropriate for younger audiences.

Participating performers will receive: 

  • Prominent display in the event program and throughout the event;  
  • Business publicity to 200+ attendees;  
  • Listing in festival emails to 5,700 contacts;
  • Listing with a link on The Art Effect’s festival website with 38,000 monthly views;
  • Social media spotlight to more than 10,000 followers across platforms; 
  • Media coverage throughout the Hudson Valley. 

Please email mmays@d-mmc.us for technical support.
Please email destiny@thearteffect.org for event logistics or additional information. 

$200 Stipend, Applications close on August 12!

Apply Here

Food Trucks Wanted

We would love to invite you to join us as a food or drink vendor. Registration for vendors at the PKX festival is free!
September 17, 2022

Participating vendors will receive: 

  • Prominent display of logo at event and in event program;  
  • Business publicity to 200+ Guests;  
  • Reach of 5,700 email contacts;
  • 38,000 website views;
  • Social media recognition to more than 10,000 followers; 
  • Media coverage throughout the Hudson Valley. 

Please email pkxfestival@thearteffect.org or destiny@thearteffect.org by August 29th if you are interested, have questions, or would like additional information. Thank you for your participation and support. 

Apply Here

Upcoming Free Art Workshops at Local Libraries

Join us for free art workshops for a variety of age groups, happening at libraries around Dutchess County!

View Upcoming Calendar

Clay Character Sculptures at Millbrook Library

Saturday June 4th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

For grades K-5

Participants will develop and build their own unique fantasy character in soft, malleable oven bake Sculpty clay. Dynamic gesturing, costuming, accessories, facial expressions, movement and more will be utilized to breathe life into our creations. 

Registration: Open to the public, call Millbrook Library at 845-677-3611 to register


Aquatic Creature Self-Portraits at Staatsburg Library

Monday July 11th, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

For teens

Ever feel like a mermaid, or maybe a shark? Ever wondered what you would look like underneath the sea? In this workshop, participants will be guided through picturing themselves as ocean creatures, and will learn to use basic shapes, lines, and shading to bring your ocean-creature-self to life! 

Registration: Open to the public, call Staatsburg Library at 845-889-4683 to register


Digital Painting at Clinton Community Library

Saturday July 16th, 10:30am – 11:30am

For grades K-5

Students use iPads and Procreate software to imagine concept art, to create original digital visual art pieces, and to strengthen their skills in visual communication. Students also gain practice with identifying light sources, learning how to properly shade, learning how to compose images, and take elements from source texts to re-imagine them and refashion them through a unified personal aesthetic.

Registration: Open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register


Patchwork Collage at Staatsburg Library

Thursday July 21st, 12:30pm – 2:00pm

For grades K-2

Visual Storytelling! Patchwork quilts have passed down stories and history for hundreds of years. Following a set theme, participants will have their own unique story come to life through their own hand drawn artwork Themes can include: happy memory, a personal goal, a loved one, a life changing event, specific holiday, etc. Gluing materials such as fabric, paper, magazine clippings, yarn, buttons and more to create individualized squares. The art pieces will be assembled together at the end of the class representing how each individual has their own story, but are still connected as humans on the same Earth. The artists can also take the time to discuss the different pieces and what they represent if they wish.

Registration: Open to the public, call Staatsburg Library at 845-889-4683 to register


Clay Character Sculptures at Clinton Community Library

Saturday July 30th, 10:30am – 11:30am

For grades K-5

Participants will develop and build their own unique fantasy character in soft, malleable oven bake Sculpty clay. Dynamic gesturing, costuming, accessories, facial expressions, movement and more will be utilized to breathe life into our creations.

Registration: Open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register


Zine-Making at Clinton Community Library

Saturday August 6th, 10:30am – 11:30am

For grades 6-12

Students make and publish their own zines (mini-magazine) while gaining an understanding of zine culture and DIY (Do It Yourself) culture. Students generate content (poetry, fiction and/or nonfiction), use Adobe Photoshop or Canva, and analyze the benefits and drawbacks of print media in the digital age.

Registration: Open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register


Digital Animation at Tappan Library

Monday August 8th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

For ages 11 and up

Learn the art of stop-motion animation! Using iPads, handmade scenery and characters, and apps like Stop Motion Studio and Koma Koma, in this workshop you’ll craft photo sequences to create the illusion of movement, and add in voice recordings and sound effects to bring your animations to life.

Registration: Open to the public, call Tappan Free Library at 845-359-3877 to register


Abstract Painting, Drawing, and Mixed Media Arts at Clinton Community Library

Saturday August 13th, 10:30am – 11:30am

For adults

Art is full of emotion! In this workshop, participants will be using ink, acrylic paint, and found objects on canvases to create their own abstract mixed media paintings. They will be shown various abstract artists for inspiration and will also experience how art does not have to look life-like. While experimenting with colors, shapes, lines, and textures, participants will choose the emotion they’d like to represent and will be guided through bringing their vision to life.

Registration: Open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register


Paper Marbling and Mindfulness at Millbrook Library

Wednesday August 24th, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

For teens

Explore a variety of world-wide paper marbling techniques while enjoying the calming and meditative nature of this artform. We will take paper and dip it in water combined with colorful inks and paints, using layering to create swirling and patterned marbled masterpieces to take home with you. 

Registration: Open to the public, call Millbrook Library at 845-677-3611 to register


Watercolor Painting of Flowers at Clinton Community Library

Saturday September 10th, 10:30am – 11:30am

For adults

Inspired by nature, and using brush techniques of previous weeks together, we will explore colorful flowers from imagination and from photographs and works of art history.

Registration: Open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register


Drawing Objects at Clinton Community Library

Saturday October 8th, 10:30am – 11:30am

For adults

Drawing 101! Participants will learn how to draw objects in their homes starting with basic shapes and finishing with details and texture. Explore various shading techniques such as blending, smudging, hatching, stippling and more to capture what you see in your homes every day.

Registration: Open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register


View Upcoming Calendar

Reel Exposure Photo Exhibition up at the Trolley Barn

Snag a digital program to learn more about all the amazing work in the festival!

Visit to see the winning pieces and juried show in person or check out our virtual gallery and screenings below to watch the show online.

Reel Exposure Winners

Photography:
First Place: “Audiophile” Risa Darlington-Horta
Second Place: “Frozen Over” Aaliyah Loverso
Third Place: “684” Andres Perez
Audience Choice Award: “Frozen Over” Aaliyah Loverso

Film:
First Place: Think Like A Filmmaker — by Eli Berliner
Second Place: Beth — by Ava Bounds
Third Place: Take heart! — by Lillith Jörg
Audience Choice Award: Cry About It – by Amani Jamal

Boyan Chen - Untitled, Reel Exposure Selection

Reel Exposure Opening Reception – Wednesday, May 4
@ The Trolley Barn Gallery, 5-7pm

Join us in person at 489 Main Street in Poughkeepsie for the first night of Reel Exposure. Kicking off with an opening reception for the photography exhibition side of Reel Exposure, we’ll celebrate live while live-streaming parts the event on Facebook and YouTube as well. The photography exhibition will remain on display in the gallery through June 19 and there is also a virtual gallery component for anyone who isn’t able to come view the work in person. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 2-5pm and Saturdays from 12-4pm at The Trolley Barn.

Short Films Screening – Thursday, May 5 @ 7pm
Online here and on Facebook Live & YouTube

The first night of Reel Exposure’s virtual film screenings. Watch along with us as we see a collection of films from the jury-selected short film showcase. Featuring:
Beth — by Ava Bounds
Eidolon — by Zev Marinoff
It’s Getting Bad Again — by Sarah Reyes
DON’T OPEN THAT BOX! — by Mason Jones
The Girl Who Cried Sick — by Ruby Taylor
She Can’t Control Herself — by WVN Productions


Short Films Screening, Q&A, and Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 6 @ 7pm
Online here and on Facebook Live & YouTube

Don’t miss the the final night of the Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photo Festival featuring a final screening, an awards ceremony, and a Q&A with some of the filmmakers and photographers whose work was featured in Reel Exposure. Featuring:
Think Like A Filmmaker — by Eli Berliner
Cry About It — by Amani Jamal
Hook, Line, and Sinker — by Hudson Price
She— by Eva Li
Take heart! — by Lillith Jörg

Reel Exposure is supported in part by monies received from the New York State Council On The Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Vassar Brothers Institute Donor Advisor Fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.

Claudine Farley will be returning as Director of DAC Poughkeepsie!

Claudine Farley has been an art teacher for 20 years for Beacon City School District, and has been the District Art Department Coordinator for the last 15 years. She teaches a variety of classes at the high school, including Ceramics, Fashion, Studio Art, Drawing and Painting, and has recently developed a Contemporary Art Class with Dia Beacon. The class is the first of its kind, blending a major museum and high school students, exposing the students to a higher level of thinking about the art process. She has worked for The Art Effect for the last 14 years, where she has taught the Junior Art Institute in the summer and younger age groups during the school year. This is her third year as director, and she looks forward to many more years as director of Dutchess Art Camp!

Learn More & Register

Spark Students Featured in Black Girlhood Exhibition

The Art Effect is proud to share that three of Spark Studios students are featured in the Picturing Black Girlhood: Moments of Possibility exhibition at Rutgers University from February 17 to July 2, 2022. Leila Zachary, Kalecia Douglas, and Olivia Barker-Duncan will be three of over eighty photographers and filmmakers featured in the exhibit.

Screenshot from Leila Zachary’s accepted video

Exhibition Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 12-5 pm, Thursday 12-8 pm, Saturday 12-5 pm. Admission is free.

The exhibition features over 150 works by Black women, girls, and genderqueer artists, ranging in age from 8 to 94, and focuses on exploring the common theme of Black girlhood. The exhibition will span across all three of the main exhibition floors of Express Newark at Rutgers University-Newark and put the work of Black girls alongside that of Black women, centering Black girls as the subjects, artists, and agents of their own lives. Learn more about the exhibition here.

“The Art Effect could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication of its students, teachers, and staff,” said Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, Executive Director at The Art Effect, “To be featured in such an incredible, transformative artistic experience goes to show the sheer amount of potential that our students harness. The Art Effect believes that art can truly impact not only the lives of its students, but also inspire positive social change by conveying to others the importance and power of art.”

Spark Studios allows students to hone their professional skills and gain real-world experiences to excel in film and media arts. Spark Studios goes beyond simple instruction by teaching students how to use art as a way to learn more about their past, their present, and their future. They learn how to take the experiences that have shaped them into who they are and transform them into impactful works. Leila Zachary, Kalecia Douglas, and Olivia Barker-Duncan are three great examples of how Spark Studios has helped teach students to embrace their histories and shape them into significant works. Learn more about Spark Studios here.

Reel Exposure Film and Photo Festival

We are still looking for imaginative and original short films and photos made by young people around the world to be screened at the 2022 Reel Exposure Festival in Poughkeepsie, NY! Submit to Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photo Festival before February 6.

Learn more about the festival and register here.

About Reel Exposure

Reel Exposure Film & Photo Festival features photography and youth-produced short films – animations, documentaries, dramas, horror, and comedies – created by talented young artists from across the world.

Reel Exposure encompasses all of The Art Effect’s goals: to encourage youth creativity, to invigorate our local community through the arts, and to showcase the incredible work done by this next generation of media-makers.

The Art Effect’s annual event encourages youth creativity, invigorates the local community through the arts, and showcases the incredible work done by the next generation of artists from around the globe and right here in Poughkeepsie!

Prizes include up to $500 in cash! 

– Films must be under 10 minutes in length 
– 3-5 photos may be submitted per category 
– The showcase will be held on May 6, 2022