The Highs of Life: International Juried Exhibition

These are the moments that never made it to social media. 

This exhibition is about joy, nostalgia, home and love. We are scrolling through the images that our social media followers will never see. Revealing the sacred and treasured memories of bliss to help us battle a less-than-perfect reality. Beyond the black mirror of Instagram-worthy moments and Snapchat filters, is our real life, our real smile — the true highs of life.

The Highs of Life featured artwork in an array of media, including sculpture, painting, textiles, mixed media, photography, and digital media. For our juried exhibitions, the Trolley Barn Gallery brings together an international roster of vital voices in art and culture, presenting thought-provoking artwork and ideas in a renovated industrial space that is the hub for the area’s thriving arts scene. This exhibition presented a collection of thought-provoking works, artfully curated by the Youth Curatorial Team alongside our talented guest curator.

The Highs of Life is an exploration of joy, exuberance and positive energy portrayed by artists whose interpretations of this theme is as diverse as the artists themselves.  With a mix of overt representations to abstract and conceptual interpretations, the work in this exhibition invites the viewers  to explore and reflect on their own personal perspectives. —Dr. Kheli Willetts

This international juried exhibition was held July 21 through August 18, 2023 at The Art Effect’s Trolley Barn Gallery, 489 Main St., Poughkeepsie, New York, with an Opening Reception on Friday, July 21 from 6-8pm. 

Exhibition Events

Family-Friendly Fun Day: Saturday, July 22, 2023 • 12–4PM
• Face Painting
• Sensory Scavenger Hunt
• Action Painting
• Popsicles

About the Curator
Dr. Kheli Willetts is Principal and Founder of Dira Professional Development, LLC.  Dira provides tailored consulting services offering proven experience in the following areas, Individual and Cohort Coaching, Governance and Operations and Programming and Community Engagement.

Prior to starting her own firm, Dr. Willetts was Director of Professional Development at Mid-America Arts Alliance (MAAA) and cohort coaching and programming for small to midsize arts and cultural organizations as well as  practicing artists. Before relocating to Texas in 2016, she was the Executive Director of Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) and Professor of Practice of African American Art History and Film in the Department of African American Studies at Syracuse University, in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Willetts has consulted with several organizations including, The Wallace Foundation, Black Box Press Foundation, The Bullock Texas State History Museum, Jazz Houston, and WolfBrown Consulting.  She currently serves as the Vice President of IDEA for Texas Association of Museum Council and the Steering Committee for Houston’s BIPOC Arts Network and Fund. Her previous board service included, Association of African American Museums, New York Consortium of Museums and Art Centers, and Houston Center for Photography. Dr. Willetts continues experience as a grants panelist includes several arts and culture organizations including, Institute of Museum and Library Services, New York State Council on the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA).

Gallery Hours
Exhibition: March 10 – April 14
Wednesday-Friday: 2-5PM • Saturday: 12-4 PM
(during exhibitions only)

The Highs of Life Virtual Gallery