Grateful for Our Journey at the Trolley Barn and Looking Forward for What’s Next

Dear Friends,

Over the past four years, The Trolley Barn has served as a home for countless exhibitions, performances, and young artists finding their creative voice. We greatly appreciate all of the support and community that brought the space to life. With heavy hearts, we announce that The Art Effect will be departing The Trolley Barn in early 2025. This move marks the closing of a significant chapter in the organization’s history, but our mission to empower youth through the arts remains more vital than ever.

It is not easy to say goodbye to a space, but saying goodbye to our amazing alumna gallery manager, Jaime Ransome, is even more challenging. Jaime has been instrumental in shaping the Trolley Barn into a vibrant hub for art and community. From curating thought-provoking exhibitions to mentoring young artists and amplifying underrepresented voices, her dedication has left an indelible mark on our organization and the creative community in Poughkeepsie. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and the incredible efforts of our staff, artists, and community members who brought the Trolley Barn to life.

The decision to leave the Trolley Barn culminates a four-and-a-half-year effort with the building’s owner, to develop a safe, sound, and affordable home for all of our programs and operations. During this period, the owner was unable to undertake the improvements that would allow the project to move forward and ultimately announced their decision to sell the building. Additionally, increased concerns about safety for youth participants, staff, and visitors has been a growing challenge. We are dedicated to providing safe and inspiring spaces for creativity within Poughkeepsie and will continue to collaborate with our civic partners on initiatives that support our community’s thriving.

As we prepare to close this chapter, we are reminded that The Art Effect has always been more than a physical space—it’s an experience and a movement built on passion, creativity, and the resilience of our community. While we are searching for our new home; our focus remains on the young artists we serve. 

The Art Effect is more committed than ever to continuing our flagship programs, including our workforce development programs, the PKX Festival, Art Institute classes and camps, Teen Vision exhibition, and Pollution Prevention initiatives, all set to continue throughout 2025 in our two long-standing Poughkeepsie locations—Pershing Ave and the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, as well as throughout the Hudson Valley in schools and community spaces.

The Trolley Barn Gallery’s final exhibition will be the Senior Project Showcase, open to the public this Friday, December 13, 2024, through January 10, 2025. The opening reception, free and open to the community, will take place on Friday, December 13, from 6–8 PM. This exhibition highlights new bodies of work from high school seniors and gap year students participating in The Art Effect’s most intensive Arts Institute program, Senior Project.

We want to thank all of you for being such an important part of The Art Effect’s story. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, creative, and joyful holiday season.

With gratitude,

Nichole Fenichel-Hewitt, Executive Director
The Art Effect

Shailee Johnson, Board Chair
The Art Effect