Join the Trolley Barn Gallery Youth Curatorial Team: Spring 2023

Apply today! Applications close January 27.

Want to call the shots on the next big arts exhibition in Poughkeepsie? Ever wonder how galleries or museums choose what’s on the walls? What even IS a curator? Learn to generate a theme, jury a national call for entries, and hang the work as a part of the Trolley Barn Gallery youth curatorial team!

The Trolley Barn Gallery youth curatorial team is the team of youth who will be leading the decision-making around Trolley Barn Gallery exhibitions for Winter/Spring 2023. Successful applicants will be able to commit to attending all sessions (which adds up to about 3 days per month) and will receive a $500 stipend in bi-weekly installments, as well as recognition for their leadership.

Trolley Barn Curatorial Team is responsible for:

  • Theme generation
  • Artwork selection
  • Art handling
  • Exhibition installation
  • Public speaking
  • Project management

Spring 2023 Session: February 6th – June 6th

Applications close January 27 and invitations for accepted students will be sent out Feb 3. The application process will be more competitive than ever before and there are only 5 slots left.

Senior Project Student Feature: Fiona Shanahan

Featuring Fiona Shanahan, a Senior Project Student.


“These past few years I’ve been diving deep into concepts that scare me and emotions that I find difficult to describe. Examples of such things would include my fear of death, judgment, and constant distraction to name a few. I felt it would be right for me to document these experiences through art, as I cannot properly describe them on paper.” – Fiona Shanahan, Senior Project Student

The Senior Project Exhibition is on view until Friday, January 13. To view the rest of Fiona’s statement and works, stop by the Trolley Barn Gallery during gallery hours!

Senior Project Student Feature: Celia Drury

Featuring Celia Drury, a Senior Project Student.


“My theme is memories. In my pieces, these memories range from literal to abstract, from youth to my present state. When I’m able to put my memories down as art, they are untouchable. No spoken words or seeds of doubt can shift my composition or erode my colors.” – Celia Drury, Senior Project Student

The Senior Project Exhibition is on view until Friday, January 13. To view the rest of Celia’s statement and works, stop by the Trolley Barn Gallery during gallery hours!

Senior Project Student Feature: Julie Woods

Featuring Julie Woods, a Senior Project Student.


“In this body of work I explore the unspoken yet deeply connected relationships between the lives of strangers, along with the unique experiences which unite us as a people who believe we are divided. My first pieces are my most literal; the awkwardness of an elevator and mundanity in the supermarket. These began my journey into the human experience and acted as a necessary foundation for how I would later develop as both an artist and creative thinker.” – Julie Woods, Senior Project Student

The Senior Project Exhibition is on view until Friday, January 13. To view the rest of Julie’s statement and works, stop by the Trolley Barn Gallery during gallery hours!

Meet the Fall 2022 Youth Curatorial Team

Together, the Fall 2022 team developed the theme of the “Is It Me?” International Exhibition and were a pivotal part in the jurying process.

The Youth Curatorial Team takes place over two semester-long sessions in the Fall and the Spring. Youth earn a stipend as the leaders of international juried exhibitions at the Trolley Barn Gallery, and are responsible for every aspect of exhibition curation, including theme generation, artwork selection, art handling, exhibition installation, and interpretation. The Youth Curatorial Team works closely with curators from across the country in a series of after school sessions, weekend workshops, and a variety of gallery and community events. Youth learn about project management, develop public speaking skills through gallery presentations and artist talks, and establish professional connections with international artists, curators, and arts professionals to bring impressive exhibitions of high-caliber artwork to Poughkeepsie.

“Is It Me?” will be opening Friday, March 10 with an Opening Reception from 6-8PM. Mark your calendars and get ready for an exhibition you won’t forget🎉🎉🎉

And if you’re interested in joining the Spring 2023 Youth Curatorial Team, click here to learn more and apply!

Join The Trolley Barn Gallery Youth Curatorial Team

Apply to join our Youth Curatorial Team!

Want to call the shots on the next big arts exhibition in Poughkeepsie? Ever wonder how galleries or museums choose what’s on the walls? What even IS a curator? Learn to generate a theme, jury a national call for entries, and hang the work as a part of the Trolley Barn Gallery youth curatorial team!

This unique opportunity allows advanced students in the arts to learn and be mentored by curators, artists, and experts in the field. Youth earn a stipend as the leaders of international juried exhibitions at the Trolley Barn Gallery, and are responsible for every aspect of exhibition curation, including theme generation, artwork selection, art handling, exhibition installation, and interpretation.  

Fall 2022 Session: October 4th – December 14th 

Spring 2023 Session: February 6th – June 6th

Tuesdays – Thursdays, 3-5:30pm

First In-Person Artist Talk at the Trolley Barn Gallery!

Join us for our first in-person Artist Talk!

We invite the art lovers of Poughkeepsie to join us for the Trolley Barn’s very first in-person Artist Talk on Saturday, Oct. 1st, from 6 – 8pm. The talk will feature a panel of three artists who have been selected by our student curators to speak on the topic of bringing WONDER to the community and POWER to our personage. Though it will not be live-streamed, you’ll be able to watch the recording on the website afterwards. We hope to see you there!

Volunteers Needed for PKX!

Sign up to volunteer at the PKX Wonderland Festival!

The Art Effect is seeking volunteers of all ages to help with our youth-directed arts festival, PKX:Wonderland! The festival takes places Sept 15-17 and we have opportunities for volunteers on each day.

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. 

Oaxaca Opening Reception

Oaxaca y sus Cultural Hermanas del Mundo invites the community to an opening reception on July 29, 4-6pm for an evening of art, culture and food. Welcoming and opening remarks from Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, Executive Director of the Art Effect, Ellie Charwat, Coordinator of Oaxaca Week, Mayor Robert Rolison, Felipe Santos, Coordinator of La Guelaguetza and translations by Gabriela Vega Mathews.

Margarita Ernestina Vazquez Martin runs a shop that supplies weavers in San Pedro.

Tlazotl, Weaver’s Wings 
Trolley Barn Gallery
489 Main St, Poughkeepsie

This collection of textiles and traditional costumes represent the daily lives of the many indigenous groups of (in?) Oaxaca. The huipil, created by the Oaxaca women is a hand-woven cotton tunic using natural dyes and adorned with embroidery. The traditional garments offer a visual language in which the natural wealth of the territory, the history of its people, and the indigenous cosmogony are reflected. The exhibit has been shown in Florence, Italy, Panama, Ecuador, and now Poughkeepsie.

Pitayas III

Art in a Suitcase: Women Creators of the World 
MASS Design Group 

Although born in different parts of the world and working with varying artistic media, the six women artists reflect the rich cultural ambiance that Oaxaca offers them through a collection of work that is easily portable throughout the world. Art in a Suitcase: Women Creators of the World has been shown at the Municipal Palace of Santa Cruz Colchagua, Chile as well as throughout Mexico, Europe, and Latin America.

Trolley Barn Youth Curatorial Team

Trolley Barn youth curatorial program trains youth as leaders who catalyze the community through the arts and re-energize downtown Poughkeepsie. Together alongside established art professionals, youth present impactful exhibitions that engage the wider community and acquaint youth with all aspects of the curatorial process including; Museum & Gallery Administration; Project Management; Art Exhibition Curation & Interpretation; Art Handling; Exhibition Design & Installation; Public Speaking; Virtual Exhibition Design; Workshops with curators, artists, and museum professionals. In preparation of the Oaxaca Exhibition opening, youth taking part in this summer’s curatorial workforce program at The Art Effect had the opportunity to work directly with the fabrics and artwork as part of the Tlazotl, Weaver’s Wings  exhibition arranging and installing each piece.

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