The Art Effect empowers the next generation to harness their creative voice to shape their future and bring about positive social change.
About
Our Team
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Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt
Executive DirectorCreative and innovative leader; master delegator; uber-collaborator, inspiration dropper, and queen of two teens. -
Todd Poteet
Director of Visual ArtsFounder of The Art Institute, graphic designer, illustrator, artist, educator and pancake guru. -
Mary Ellen Iatropoulos
Director of EducationEducator, writer, critical theory aficionado, three-time winner of the Mr. Pointy Award. -
Anna Langdell
Director of DevelopmentFundraiser, international traveler, yogi, and mom to a goofy baby and spunky Labradoodle. -
Angela Beltrani
Administrative ManagerIntellectual, musical theater snob, birder, wildlife biologist, balloonatic and Patti Lupone wanna-be. -
Paul Thompson
Lead Media Teaching Artist/Equipment ManagerVideographer, Media Educator, Photographer, Editor, Vacationist, Foodie, Unofficial food inspector -
Sarah Taylor
Explore and Experience Programming Assistant and ArchivistVideo Artist, Enthusiastic Project Partner, Exuberant Teacher, and Program Assistant. -
David Wong
MADLab Coordinator and Community Relations AssociateJack of all trades and teacher to all. -
Nicole Baker
Director of DevelopmentFundraiser, mom, expert finger painter, lover of life and all things pink! -
Daniel Weintraub
Director of Media Advancement at The Art Effect and Head of Production at Forge MediaHead of Production, writer, director, musician and recording artist.
Our Services
From in-school residences to art immersion summer programs; from one day workshops to professional apprentice programs; and from diverse summer programs in the arts to year-round art explorations, we have it all. Here are just a few:
Forge Media (www.ForgeMedia.org) is The Art Effect’s production house apprenticeship program, the first of its kind in the Hudson Valley. Forge employs advanced youth apprentices to work alongside experienced producers in creating high quality, unique media products for businesses and organizations. Youth gain client-based work experience, further develop their filmmaking skills using professional-level equipment and…
Learn MoreThe Art Institute is a pre-college portfolio program for artistically motivated and career-minded teens ages 14-19. We help them develop their ideas and master skills in the visual and media arts. Excellence is, after all, built on a firm foundation. Students will strengthen their portfolios by exploring advanced art techniques, presentation, critique, composition, emotionalism, and…
Learn MoreResidencies For over 25 years, we’ve worked with schools throughout the Hudson Valley. The Art Effect collaborates with faculty and educators on short- and long-term residencies tailored to creatively engage students in diverse subject areas, reinforcing skills and content they are learning in the classroom through media production and artmaking. School Residencies: The Art Effect…
Learn MoreDutchess & Ulster Arts Camp At Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camp, children ages 4 – 12 will enjoy a fun-filled summer of friends, nature and ART! At each of our picturesque locations your child will be surrounded by professional artist-educators to take them on a summer journey into CREATIVITY! From ceramics and painting to playwriting…
Learn MoreOur Alumni Excel
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Liz is a multi-disciplinary Art Director specializing in boundary-pushing digital creative for gen-z and millennial audiences. Extensive experience defining brands’ visual identities and telling 360-degree stories that engage and empower consumers.
Currently Art Director @ Sweet
Clients include: TBS, School of Doodle, The Georges Malaika Foundation, No Big Deal PR, Clover Letter,Time Out Magazine, Hard Candy, Reebok, Smuggler Films, Greencard Pictues, Eyeball Records
lizriccardi.com
Liz Riccardi
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MC Wolfman (aka Dan Betro) is a New York born artist working as an Illustrator and Background Artist, creating work for clients like Red Stylo Media, Print Syndicate, SBC Advertising, Viceland, Thrillist, McGarryBowen, MC CHRIS, and Cartuna.
MC WOLFMAN
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Domino Bliss is an illustrator and tattoo artist currently working at Revenant Gallery in Hopewell Junction, NY.
Domino Bliss
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Currently located in New York, Trent Taft is a sculptor in the special effects industry. Inspired by films with
credible imaginary characters and nature itself, He brings his creations to life in a public space through artistry.Trent Taft
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Joe Cassanova graduated from the Art Institute before attending Maryland Institute College of Art for his BFA and then School of Visual Arts for his MFA. He is a digital and traditional illustrator with extensive experience.
Joe Cassanova
Fact About Us
Our students get a lot of incredible work done in our studios.
78432
Students Served
49
Mil in Awards
2357
Films Made
85953
Cups Consumed
Portfolio
A collection of some of the best work created by our students
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MADLab
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Portfolio Development
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Forge
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Senior Project
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Spark Studios
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Junior Art Instittue
Portfolio
Important Stats
Our students are pretty amazing. Here are just a few things we like to brag about.
What's Happening at The Art Effect?
How Art Can Battle Pollution
Check out this awesome, short video produced by our MADLab (Media/Art/Design Lab) students! These PSAs (public service announcements) are part of the community-led initiative to clean up the Fall Kill Creek in downtown Poughkeepsie. Watch the video, then take a 6-question survey! Please take this 6-question survey based on the video above! By completing this…
2019 Exposure Exhibition
Above: Best in Show winner Andralyn Lagattuta and Executive Director Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt. On May 10th, 2019, The Art Effect hosted the 16th annual Exposure Photography Exhibition, celebrating the work of local and national teen photographers. We were pleased to announce the winners of the exhibition during our Artists Reception towards the end of the night….
Art Battles Pollution: MADLab Students Set To Clean Up The Fall Kill Creek
In 2019, MADLab students are taking on the ravages of pollution in their community. As part of the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute, students will create public art and develop clean green spaces along the Fall Kill Creek, an overlooked waterway in downtown Poughkeepsie. This is the only youth-led arts project that contributes to the city-wide…
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