The Highs of Life

The Highs of Life is an international juried exhibition exploring the difference between real and imagined joy. The exhibition deconstructs synthetic happiness, examining moments that never made it to social media and sacred images of bliss where people hide behind their "happiness." The exhibition accepts any visual representation of joy based on fantasy or reality, including digital, film, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, video, and installation art.

The exhibition will be held July 21 through August 11, 2023 at The Art Effect's Trolley Barn Gallery, 489 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, New York, with an Opening Reception on Friday, July 21, 6-8 pm. Artists of all ages are welcome, regardless of location or identity. The guest juror will work collaboratively with youth curators from The Art Effect to select artworks for the exhibition, which will be shown both in the gallery and online.

Entry fee is $20 for the first three images plus $5 for each additional image (15 images maximum, including up to 3 video submissions). Discounted rates are available for Art Effect members, current students, and City of Poughkeepsie residents. Artwork should not exceed 7 feet in any direction; 2D artwork should not weigh more than 65 pounds. Artwork must be exhibition ready with appropriate frames and hardware. Artists are responsible for transportation and must provide pre-paid return shipping labels. Artists will be notified within approximately 2-3 weeks after the deadline about selection status. Exhibiting artists may specify a retail price for work; The Art Effect retains a 20% commission for members and students, 30% for non-members.