Join us THIS SATURDAY, May 3, for the 4th annual, youth-led PKX Festival!
Due to weather, all events will now take place indoors at the Family Partnership Center 29 North Hamilton St Poughkeepsie, NY
PKX Festival Schedule Saturday, May 3, 1-8PM PKX is Free, Open to the Public, & Happening Rain or Shine! FAMILY PARTNERSHIP CENTER 29 North Hamilton St In the Gymnasium 1–5PM: COMMUNITY CELEBRATION A family-friendly outdoor community celebration with hands-on art-making activities, local food vendors, live music and more!
In the Duffy Community Room YOUTH ART EXHIBITION AND FILM FESTIVAL 1-5PM: Teen Art Exhibition 5-6PM: Art Exhibition Reception Discover a dynamic collection of local youth-created multimedia artworks.
In the Auditorium 6–8PM: Film Festival & Awards Ceremony* *For teens and older: PG-13 content* Features short films by talented young filmmakers from around the world. A jury of peers, including apprentices from Forge Media’s production house, will evaluate their selections and present awards.
THANK YOU TO OUR PKX FESTIVAL SPONSORS & FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL Adams Fairacre Farms Boys & Girls Club of Poughkeepsie Celebrating the African Spirit Central Hudson Charlia Frank Chronogram City of Poughkeepsie Community Matters 2 Country Kids Popcorn Crazy Over ART on tour Dutchess County Pride Center Empire Arts Training Center Esperanza Dutchess County Hispanic Organization Fall Kill Creative Works Family Services Financial Development Center Hip-Hop Healing Hudson Valley Justice Center LaVoz Loeb Art Center at Vassar College Mackey Butts & Whalen LLP Mama La’s Food for the Soul Mr. Cool Ice Cream Truck New York State Council on the Arts Nubian Directions II Oakwood Friends School PK Organics Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet Poughkeepsie City School District Prime Print Shop Rhinebeck Bank Spettro The Art Effect The Brain and Body Coalition Vassar College Visit Vortex Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
The Art Effect is seeking engaging and upbeat Counselors, Counselors-In-Training, and Teaching Assistants for our summer programming this year, located in Poughkeepsie and New Paltz this June-August. Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps offer a variety of programming that allow children ages 5-11 to imagine, discover, create, and have fun. The Summer Art and Junior Art Institute is The Art Effect’s portfolio development summer programs, serving ages 11-19. To see current summer Teaching Artist positions open, click here.
Positions Available:
Counselors Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camp Counselors work directly with a single group of around 12 campers throughout the day. Age groups range from 5-11 years old. Counselors supervise CITs and support teaching artists to make sure students remain focused on their arts projects while having fun. Note: Ulster Arts Camp Counselors must be at-least 18. To Apply: Complete this form here
Counselors-In-Training (CIT) Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camp Counselors-In-Training help with supervising a group of around 12 campers ranging from 5-11 years old in their group during recreation times and during arts classes. CITs assists with camp preparation and clean-up each day; serve as positive role models for young children and help to create a supportive camp community. Note: CITs must be at-least 14 years old. To Apply: Complete this form here
Teaching Assistants (TA) Summer Art and Junior Art Institute TAs help support the Director of Artistic Advancement and SAI/JAI Administrator, along with assisting teaching artists in material and lesson preparation and programming, and serving as positive role models for students and peers. To Apply: Complete this form here
The Art Effect’s summer programs will light the creative spark in young artists and help them dive deeper into various art mediums! Each fun-filled summer program will have your child explore new materials, master artistic skills, and create works of art they can be proud of. Professional Teaching Artists are ready to guide your student on their creative journey. Whether your child is a messy, experimental maker or more seriously pursuing the arts, there’s something for everyone this summer! At Dutchess Arts Camp at Oakwood Friends School and Ulster Arts Camp, your child will paint, perform, tie-dye, paper mache, and play! Students in the Summer and Junior Arts Institute will experiment with printmaking, hone their fine arts skills, and create digital masterpieces to elevate their portfolios!
DUTCHESS ARTS CAMP AT OAKWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL AND ULSTER ARTS CAMP (AGES 5-11)
Creativity will flourish as campers explore their artistic abilities, play games, and make lasting friendships at Dutchess Arts Camp at Oakwood Friends School & Ulster Arts Camp! Your young artist will enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces, ceramic kilns, a theater, art studios, and other creative spaces!
Our experienced and friendly Arts Camp counselors and teaching artists will support fun, hands-on art-making with various mediums including painting, sculpture, collage, animation, and performance, 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.
Click on a week below to register:
Dutchess Arts Camp at Oakwood Friends School – Poughkeepsie
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! Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm. Dutchess Community College – Allyn Washington Center for Art & Science, 37 Gallery Circle, Poughkeepsie.
FINE ARTS TRACK
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’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 Summer Art Institute is an intensive portfolio-building program that takes your talented student’s skills to the next level! During each 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!
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm Dutchess Community College – Allyn Washington Center for Art & Science, 37 Gallery Circle, Poughkeepsie
FINE ARTS Track
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.
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
Early drop-off available for an additional $25/day (no earlier than 8:15 AM) Late pick-up available for an additional $25/dau (no later than 5:15 PM) Please email abby@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 courses.
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.
Warm weather is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to nurture your child’s artistic talents! At The Art Effect, we believe that every child should have access to the arts. We’re excited to offer scholarships for our upcoming Spring classes and Summer Arts Camps and programs, which include everything from painting to digital animation. Scholarships are available for students ages 5-19, and we encourage families to apply. Explore our courses, discover the possibilities, and give your child the gift of creativity this season!
Contact Art Institute Coordinator, Abby Lessick, to submit your application at abby@thearteffect.org or call 845-471-7477 to learn more about The Art Effect’s scholarship process and application.
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.
We kicked off this fundraiser this past Giving Tuesday December 3, 2023 with a drive that has us well on our way to $25,000 with the help of 47 intrepid supporters raising $10,331. Join them today in helping The Art Effect reach its goal this year!
At The Art Effect, art is more than creating—it’s a starting point for growth, connection, and transformation. We use the power of creativity to inspire and empower youth, reaching over 4,000 young people each year through hands-on programs in visual arts, media, film, and public art. These experiences become more than art—they become stepping stones to personal and professional success.
Through opportunities to explore their creativity, develop critical skills, and connect with mentors and peers, our young artists discover their unique voices and unlock a world of possibility. With every brushstroke, every film project, and every community art initiative, art becomes the beginning of something powerful.
This year, your support goes even further. Thanks to a matching gift, every dollar donated will be doubled, up to $25,000—amplifying the impact of your gift on the lives of thousands of young people.
Join us in making art the beginning of a journey that changes lives, shapes futures, and strengthens our community. Your donation today can make all the difference.
UPDATE: Due to high traffic volume on Giving Tuesday, our fundraising site experienced some stability issues. We have been told the issue was resolved, but if the donate button doesn’t load a page, CLICK HERE to be taken to The Art Effect’s internally-hosted donation page. All donations made on this page will count towards the fundraiser and be a part of the matching donation campaign.
The Art Effect is now accepting applications for the 2024 Winter Intensive sessions of its two workforce development programs, Spark Studios and MADLab. These workforce programs are paid arts-based career and skills training experiences.
Spark Studios Intensive: Learn and develop photography and video production skills, including all three parts of production skills, to produce a final project!
MADLab Intensive: Create and transform a 2D nature painting into a 3D pop-up sculpture that could be showcased in the City of Poughkeepsie!
Intensive Dates: December 2th – 12th, Monday – Friday 3:00-5:30pm.
We had a sensational night at Art After Dark 2024 in the Trolley Barn on Friday November 15. Guests mingled under starry lighting and took in the last moments of The Duo Show’s time in the gallery. Spettro passed delicious hors d’oeuvres, including an amazing Ricotta & Grape Crostini, while guests waited in line to get the Vassar Violet Bloom signature drink, a blend of Tito’s, butterfly pea flower tea, ginger, and lemon. For the younger crowd and the alcohol-free, the mocktail mimicked the same magical effect, where the blue butterfly pea flower tea turned purple with the splash of lemonade mixing in.
Especially heartwarming were the speeches from the night’s honorees and the individuals introducing them. Franky Perez had a surprise reunion with Alumni Honoree and mentee Hezues R. Tahleeya Raphael introduced Karmen Smallwood with an anecdote that reminded us of how deep and long-standing Karmen’s commitment to the youth of the city of Poughkeepsie has been. And Mary Ellen got the room on its feet as we all stood together to acknowledge the widespread impact that honoree Dutchess Community College has on our community.
Marielena Ferrer helped guests develop a deeper understanding of the themes behind her work as they tore butterflies from tissue paper to join future iterations of her installation. YAEZ Curators guided attendees in engaging with Kimmah Dennis’ work through polaroid photos and chalk interactions. Young and young-at-heart alike delighted in helping us fill our chalk photo booth wall.
This event was also host to a couple monumental firsts! Staff member, Sarah Taylor, hosted Art After Dark’s first Paddle Raise for donations and by the end of the night we had raised over $9,000 dollars. Board Member and longtime friend of The Art Effect David Bloom and his wife Beverly Kaufman who were unable to attend, raised their hand remotely to give a $500, along with a few others who called in to participate with the paddle raise remotely.
We also had an amazing announcement where we learned that board member, Kit Laybourne and his wife Gerry would be donating a $25,000 match to any donations that came in that night and subsequently to our annual appeal.
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.
