The festival that brought in more than 700 people over the course of three days was a โHuge Successโ says Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, Executive Director of The Art Effect who also runs the Trolley Barn Gallery in Poughkeepsie, NY. โWe are so proud of what the students in our community have helped create. Not only are their futures looking bright, but we got a glimpse into how bright the future of public art throughout Poughkeepsie is and what it can mean for this community,โ says Nicole.
The PKX Festival serves as a building block to the development of Youth Arts Empowerment Zone, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant, establishing a youth-led arts district in and around the Trolley Barn Gallery, the only youth-led gallery in the state! โThe Youth Arts Empowerment Zone is an integral part of our community. The festival is another great example of how the arts in Poughkeepsie are providing an avenue for people to come together and be proud of where they live,โ says Poughkeepsie Mayor, Rob Rolison. The mayor declared September 17, 2022 as PKX Day in the City of Poughkeepsie which will reoccur for each yearโs festival.
Over the last eighteen months, PKX Festival Youth Committee consisting of Poughkeepsie High School students and alumni worked alongside artist duo BoogieREZ and Curator Alison M. Glenn to create and curate various art experiences throughout the festival including a public art installation and an artfully curated exhibition. The PKX Committee is one of The Art Effectโs newest youth training programs at the Trolley Barn Gallery where students learn and practice public speaking skills, conduct presentations to government officials and learn about place making โ a people-centered approach to planning, designing and managing public spaces.
โBeing a part of the Youth Curatorial Team has made me a more dynamic thinker. I feel so much more confident in my idea processing. Also, seeing the [Wonderland] exhibition come together makes me proud of myself and my colleagues, because we put so much effort and heart into this festival and Iโm so excited for the community to experience it.โ says Jadeen Sampson, Curatorial Team and PKX Festival Youth Member
The Art Effect is interviewing and hiring the next group of PKX Committee youth to help plan the 2023 PKX Festival, โDroppinโ Jewelsโ next fall and promises to be even bigger and better with more than 1,000 people in attendance. โSeeing the exhibition come together makes me proud of myself and my colleagues because we put so much effort and heart into this festival,โ comments Jadeen,. โThe main goal is to do it again, we want it to be a success.โ he said.
To get involved with The Art Effect in the development of the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone, or the PKX Festival, reach out to PKXFestival@TheArtEffect.org or to see a gallery of photos from this yearโs festival and stay up to date on the plans for next year, visit PKXFestival.org
In partnership with the Poughkeepsie Public Library District’s Big Read, The Art Effect is offering free artmaking workshops at libraries around the county. See all library workshop offerings below with registration information.
Painting Pretty Monsters
In this workshop, participants will learn about illustration and how to translate the written word into visual images, then select passages from Pretty Monsters to create acrylic or watercolor paintings which illustrate the mood and tone of the literary scene. Participants will focus on visual metaphor and abstract representation (using only shapes, symbols and brushstrokes) to learn painting techniques that can even help beginners capture the emotional landscape of the passage.
Friday October 7th, 11am-1pm @ Clinton Community Library
Adults only
Registration Info: free & open to the public, call Clinton Community Library at 845-266-5530 to register
Friday November 4th, 6:30-8:30pm @ Staatsburg Library
Ages 12 – Adult
Registration Info: free & open to the public, call Staatsburg Free Library at 845-889-4683 to register
Animating Monster Metaphors
Wednesday November 9th, 2:30-4:30pm @ Millbrook Library
For Teens
In this workshop, participants read excerpts from Pretty Monsters and discuss how monsters can be metaphors for everyday problems and issues (a schoolyard bully becoming a ghost that haunts you, for example), and then each create art for and animate a short video scene to bring their monster metaphors coming to life!
Registration Info: free & open to the public, call Millbrook Free Library at 845-677-3611 to register
Welcome BACK TO SCHOOL๐ซ , Back to Art Class ๐จ, and Back to the National Art Honor Society!
The Art Effect is currently recruiting for the 2022-2023 school year. The Art Effectโs 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. ๐๐ค๐ช ๐ข๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐ก๐๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐จ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฆ๐ช๐๐ก๐๐๐ฎ. Learn more about the National Art Honor Society Here.
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.
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!
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 Effectโs 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.
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 emailย pkxfestival@thearteffect.orgย orย destiny@thearteffect.orgย byย August 29thย if you are interested, have questions, or would like additional information. Thank you for your participation and support.ย
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 theyโd 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
The Art Effect is seeking engaging and upbeat Teaching Artists, Counselors, and Counselors-In-Training for our Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps, located in Poughkeepsie, Red Hook and New Paltz this July-August. Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps offer a variety of programming that allow children ages 5-10 to imagine, discover, create, and have fun.
Positions Available:
Teaching Artists Teaching Artists work directly with several groups of around ten children over the course of the day to create visual and media arts projects. Teaching Artists will create lessons plans and supplies lists, coordinate with the Camp Director on implementation and support project management and organization.Half days (4 hours) or full days (8 hours) available. $25/hr. To Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter and three references to Director of Programs Mary Ellen Iatropoulos at maryellen@thearteffect.org
Counselors Counselors (age 16 and up) work directly with a single group of around ten children. They are responsible for supervising CITs, supporting Teaching Artists and overseeing morning drop offs and afternoon pickups.Mon-Fri, 8 hours a day, plus about 10 hours for move in and 10 hours for move out. $14/hr. To Apply: Complete this form here, and submit a resume, cover letter and three references to Director of Programs Mary Ellen Iatropoulos at maryellen@thearteffect.org
Counselors-In-Training (C.I.T) Counselors-In-Training (age 14 and up) help counselors with supervising a group of around ten campers. They will assist with camp preparation and clean up, and create a supportive camp community. Mon-Fri, 8 hours a day. Weekly $100 stipend. To Apply: Complete this form here, and submit a resume, cover letter and three references to Director of Programs Mary Ellen Iatropoulos at maryellen@thearteffect.org
