The Art Effect

Senior Project

In this capstone course for advanced studio art students, participants define, research, create, and present an original and cohesive body of work. The emphasis is on deep conceptual exploration and technical development to produce a competitive portfolio for college or career opportunities.

Students will work in the medium of their choice, developing their unique artistic voice while spending significant time with each piece. Through in-depth critiques, students will engage in critical analysis and refine both their ideas and formal skills.

This course combines individual development with a collaborative studio environment, offering time to work both in the studio and at home. A minimum of 20 hours of at-home work is required in addition to class time.

Students will learn to manage timelines, prepare artwork for exhibition, communicate effectively, and document their work to a professional standard. Large and small group critiques, studio work sessions, and supplemental materials such as readings, films, or lectures will support students in building a portfolio that is both conceptually rigorous and technically strong.

Last year, Art Institute students earned more than $1.2 million in scholarships to top art schools.

This course runs for 12 weeks, with 6 Sundays available for two-hours of open studio time. Juniors, Seniors, and Gap Year students are welcome to apply!

Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Senior Project!
Deadline to Apply: September 7, 2025.

September 18 – December 11, *No class 11/27
Thursdays, 6-8pm + 6 Sunday Studio Days, 4:30-6:30pm @ 45 Pershing Ave.
Sunday Studio Days:  9/2, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/9, 12/7
Exhibition Install: December 12, 2025
Exhibition Opens: December 13, 2025

To apply: students should submit 10-20 work samples, a written theme proposal explaining what their Senior Project will be about, preferred working media, and two thumbnail idea sketches of works they’d like to create to hannarose@thearteffect.org or via the application link below by September 7th, midnight. A $775.00 tuition fee will be required upon application acceptance. If you are in need of a scholarship please reach out to info@thearteffect.org.

Virtual info session: Thursday, August 28th and September 4th, 7-8 pm. Students, teachers, and families will learn more about this year’s program, get important dates, and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 2 – Digital Arts – 3-week Track – Summer Art Institute

The Summer Art Institute’s Digital Arts track includes courses in Digital Illustration, Mixed-Media Animation, and Color & Human Figure. Students will use their artistic knowledge to develop an authentic, refined, and mature digital art portfolio.This comprehensive track is perfect for young artists interested in creating a strong portfolio that includes impressive digital artworks and animations. Projects include working with clay for stop motion animations, creating original characters, developing contemporary narrative artworks, and exploring experimental techniques. 

This 3-week session is an intensive portfolio-building program that takes your talented student’s skills to the next level! During this session, students will be educated in advanced fine art and digital art-making techniques, as well as contemporary concepts that will help them develop unique and engaging works of art. Students will receive feedback and guidance from a diverse staff of working artists, participate in portfolio reviews with college representatives, and create a network of like-minded peers while exploring new materials, and expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 2 – Fine Arts – 3-week Track – Summer Art Institute

The Summer Art Institute's Fine Arts Track includes courses in Painting & Drawing, Color & Human Figure, and Experimental Printmaking to expand on their artistic knowledge and develop an authentic, refined, and mature fine art portfolio. This comprehensive fine arts track is perfect for young artists interested in creating a strong portfolio that includes impressive 2D artworks. Working from intricate still lifes and live models, students will learn contemporary art elements and explore experimental techniques. 

This 3-week session is an intensive portfolio-building program that takes your talented student’s skills to the next level! During this session, students will be educated in advanced fine art and digital art-making techniques, as well as contemporary concepts that will help them develop unique and engaging works of art. Students will receive feedback and guidance from a diverse staff of working artists, participate in portfolio reviews with college representatives, and create a network of like-minded peers while exploring new materials, and expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 1 – Digital Arts – 2-week Accelerated Track – Summer Art Institute

The Summer Art Institute’s Digital Arts track includes courses in Digital Illustration, Mixed-Media Animation, and Color & Human Figure. Students will use their artistic knowledge to develop an authentic, refined, and mature digital art portfolio.This comprehensive track is perfect for young artists interested in creating a strong portfolio that includes impressive digital artworks and animations. Projects include working with clay for stop motion animations, creating original characters, developing contemporary narrative artworks, and exploring experimental techniques. 

This 2-week accelerated session is an intensive portfolio-building program that takes your talented student’s skills to the next level! During this session, students will be educated in advanced fine art and digital art-making techniques, as well as contemporary concepts that will help them develop unique and engaging works of art. Students will receive feedback and guidance from a diverse staff of working artists, participate in portfolio reviews with college representatives, and create a network of like-minded peers while exploring new materials, and expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 1 – Fine Arts – 2-week Accelerated Track – Summer Art Institute

The Summer Art Institute's Fine Arts Track includes courses in Painting & Drawing, Color & Human Figure, and Experimental Printmaking to expand on their artistic knowledge and develop an authentic, refined, and mature fine art portfolio. This comprehensive fine arts track is perfect for young artists interested in creating a strong portfolio that includes impressive 2D artworks. Working from intricate still lifes and live models, students will learn contemporary art elements and explore experimental techniques. 

This 2-week accelerated session is an intensive portfolio-building program that takes your talented student’s skills to the next level! During this session, students will be educated in advanced fine art and digital art-making techniques, as well as contemporary concepts that will help them develop unique and engaging works of art. Students will receive feedback and guidance from a diverse staff of working artists, participate in portfolio reviews with college representatives, and create a network of like-minded peers while exploring new materials, and expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 2 – Fine Arts – Junior Art Institute

Fine Arts students will explore drawing, painting, introductory figure drawing, and stop motion animation in this 2-week summer session! These intensive art courses will teach students the various concepts of 2D and 3D art while showing them the many possibilities and outcomes these techniques and materials offer. The Junior Art Institute Fine Arts track is perfect for students serious about fine art and developing their skill set!

The Junior Art Institute is a 2-week skill-building program meant to take art lovers and make them into future artists! During this session, students will learn to use complex fine art and digital art techniques to develop their very own body of work. Students will receive feedback from working artists in the industry, create a community of peers, and explore new materials while expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 2 – Digital Arts – Junior Art Institute

The Junior Art Institute’s Digital Arts track will include instruction in digital arts and illustration, stop-motion animation, and experimental printmaking. Students will learn fine art skills such as value, color theory, composition, and 3D modeling to create original digital artworks. They will also learn how fine art elements enhance character designs and narratives! This track is great for students interested in animation, character design, and illustration.

The Junior Art Institute is a 2-week skill-building program meant to take art lovers and make them into future artists! During this session, students will learn to use complex fine art and digital art techniques to develop their very own body of work. Students will receive feedback from working artists in the industry, create a community of peers, and explore new materials while expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.
 

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 1 – Digital Arts – Junior Art Institute

The Junior Art Institute’s Digital Arts track will include instruction in digital arts and illustration, stop-motion animation, and experimental printmaking. Students will learn fine art skills such as value, color theory, composition, and 3D modeling to create original digital artworks. They will also learn how fine art elements enhance character designs and narratives! This track is great for students interested in animation, character design, and illustration.

The Junior Art Institute is a 2-week skill-building program meant to take art lovers and make them into future artists! During this session, students will learn to use complex fine art and digital art techniques to develop their very own body of work. Students will receive feedback from working artists in the industry, create a community of peers, and explore new materials while expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

New Paltz – Week 2 – Ulster Arts Camp

The theme for Week 2 is Magic & Mayhem! Get messy this week at camp with fun hands-on projects like collaborative water balloon murals, abstract sculptures, and DIY magic wands.

Creativity will flourish as campers explore their artistic abilities, play games, and make lasting friendships at Ulster Arts Camp! 

Our experienced and friendly Ulster Arts Camp counselors and teaching artists support fun, hands-on art-making with various mediums, including painting, sculpture, collage, animation, and performances, based on engaging weekly camp themes. The pieces created at camp will portray your child's individuality, tapping into each camper’s specific interests. 

Daily schedules include opening and closing circles, structured art instruction, snacks, lunch, and outside play. A weekly showcase will occur at the end of each week and is an opportunity for your camper to shine! All of their work from the week will be on display during the showcase and they’ll get to show off their learned performances to family and friends.

Interested in early drop-off and/or late pick-up? Early drop-off is available for an additional $25/day (no earlier than 8:15 AM). And late pick-up is also available for an additional $25/day (no later than 5:15 PM). Please email abby@thearteffect.org or call 845-471-7477 to sign up for early drop-off and/or 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 courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.

Session 1 – Fine Arts – Junior Art Institute

Fine Arts students will explore drawing, painting, introductory figure drawing, and stop motion animation in this 2-week summer session! These intensive art courses will teach students the various concepts of 2D and 3D art while showing them the many possibilities and outcomes these techniques and materials offer. The Junior Art Institute Fine Arts track is perfect for students serious about fine art and developing their skill set!

The Junior Art Institute is a 2-week skill-building program meant to take art lovers and make them into future artists! During this session, students will learn to use complex fine art and digital art techniques to develop their very own body of work. Students will receive feedback from working artists in the industry, create a community of peers, and explore new materials while expanding their artistic knowledge!

Students are asked to bring a sketchbook. All other materials are included.

Additional Discounts

• Multiclass/Sibling Discount: Save 5% when registering 2 or more children OR when you sign 1 child up for two or more courses.
• Member Pricing: Save an additional 5% by signing up for an Art Institute membership, click here to "Purchase an Art Institute Membership."
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to those in economic need, to apply please complete a Scholarship Application Form and send it to abby@thearteffect.org.
• Gift Certificates: To redeem a gift certificate to purchase this class please contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, at our office 845-471-7477 or via email at abby@thearteffect.org. If you’d like to buy a gift certificate or gift this class, click here.