The Art Effect

Who’s Behind the PKX Logo Taking Over Poughkeepsie?

What started out as a class project during one of The Art Effect’s youth workforce programs, MADLab (Media, Art, Design Lab), has become a staple image throughout downtown Poughkeepsie over the last couple months. As one of The Art Effect’s youngest workforce students, Latiana Belton is the talented artist behind the now ‘famous’ PKX Festival Logo!

The PKX Festival will take place on September 15-17, 2022 in downtown Poughkeepsie activating locations along Main Street and North Cherry Street as the new Youth Arts Empowerment Zone (YAEZ).

“It feels exciting to see the logo that I created everywhere, says Latiana. The logo is not only a part of a cool new arts festival but is also featured in a public art sculpture we worked on this summer with Artist Duo, BoogieREZ that will be unveiled at the Festival on Saturday, September 17.”

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! This year’s festival themed, Wonderland, features community-wide art, performances, and workshops. Throughout the year, PKX Festival Youth Committee Members 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. 

“Community art-making is at the heart of the PKX Festival.” Says Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, Executive Director at The Art Effect who also runs the Trolley Barn Gallery in Poughkeepsie, NY. “From painting the pavement to workshops, music, face painting, juried exhibition, and partner booths — there is something for everyone at PKX this weekend.”

Latiana’s PKX logo will be on display throughout the festival and can be found stenciled along Main Street’s sidewalks, on tee shirts for sale, and it will even be featured in the interactive public art installation that we invite the public to come add their mark to!

For the full schedule and more information about the festival lineup, visit PKXFestival.org

PKX Sticker Challenge

In honor of the upcoming PKX Festival, the youth committee has launched a sticker challenge. Follow @PKXFestival on Instagram to see where you can pick up your sticker!

Here’s how the challenge works:

1. Pick up a sticker at the Trolley Barn Gallery, 489 Main St. Poughkeepsie
2. Color and design your PKX logo sticker
3. Snap a photo and post your design on IG: tag us using #PKXFestival AND @PKXFestival
4. DM a screenshot of your post to @PKXFestival or email pkxfestival@thearteffect.org

DJ Dance Party

Take a peek behind the scenes into our first annual PKX Festival, Wonderland! Hudson Valley teens “danced through the decades” with a silent disco at the Trolley Barn Gallery hosted by Poughkeepsie Open Studios and the PKX Youth Committee. Catch even more behind the scenes videos leading up to the PKX Festival on September 15-17, 2022 each “Wonderland Wednesday” every other week and learn more about the festival here!

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/stage/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.