Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
November 2024

I am starting November with an upbeat message. 

I want to rally everyone around a simple idea of working together. This is a perfect time to make a loud noise for collaboration here and across the country. And let’s have it be something meaningful for all of us.

This is not a new concept for anyone who hangs around the mural project. Through the years, we have moved mountains at AMP simply by working together, each one of us recognizing and celebrating what makes us distinct, different, and special. Paul Hawken, our Advisor on the Regeneration Project, says it perfectly: “each of us is multitudes.”

So, jump-starting this idea, this past Monday, we invited 100 kids and teachers from ten schools across Connecticut to AMP for our first big meeting for Regeneration. From Hartford to Fairfield and everywhere in between, the students arrived in buses and vans. They spent the day together, getting to know each other and learning about their assignment for the next six months: to address the most important threat for all of us on this earth, global warming—and the resulting disappearance of clean water, wildlife, and natural habitats for all of us on the planet.

When I am losing hope about reasonable solutions to problems, I turn to young people who, most times, have a much better handle on it. To begin, they have no ulterior motive but to solve the actual problem as they see it. Once the Regeneration Project is finished and installed in the spring, it is going to blow everyone’s mind who visits AMP and takes it in. These kids are in charge of the creation and the narrative. Whatever comes of this, the students will own it.

It is a great time for all of us older guys to take notice.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
October 2024

It was so busy at AMP in September that I missed half of the activity! I m still wondering what happened to two of the four weeks this month. Now, here comes October—all at once, leaves are dropping way too fast, and gorgeous days are ending with powerful sunsets. This month at AMP is bookended with two of my most anticipated events of 2024.

On Saturday, October 5, Melissa Bennett, the amazing firefighter depicted in the mural is coming from Brooklyn with family and friends to see the mural and check out her portrait for the first time. I have been excited about this moment since we installed Melissa's portrait in 2019. We are going to have a blast sitting and talking about how we met and her work as a NYC firefighter (including being the first woman to train a future class of firefighters). Melissa is funny and self-effacing. She is the recipient of many awards and has been honored on several occasions for her singular achievements as a member of Canarsie’s Engine 257. I cannot believe my luck meeting Melissa, and I am so proud to call her a friend.

Another milestone moment is coming up on October 28. On that Monday morning at 9am, we will greet 80 middle and high school students from ten Connecticut schools for the first time. Together, we will start Regeneration, a seven-month collaborative art project. The first hour will be taken to get to know each other. Then we will tackle a mammoth question: How do we create a blueprint for cleaning up our environment on a global scale? Over the next seven months, these kids will create an art piece that will explore their deepest concerns. Working independently with faculty advisors at their respective schools, the kids will construct three-dimensional sections highlighting their ideas for positive change. All the creative work and the narrative copy will be by the students. Once finished, everything will be installed at AMP in the Ramp Gallery.

On Earth Day, our awesome AMP Advisor, Regeneration author Paul Hawken (who inspired this project at AMP) will come all the way from San Francisco to meet our Regeneration kids and sign his book to each of them in person. Collaborative projects don’t get much bigger than this one!

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
September 2024

When I was growing up in St Louis, and I knew the back-to-school moment was pending, I started thinking of all the ways I could extend the summer. I didn’t even hate school. I just loved summer: my chance to dream about possibilities and do all sorts of cool things.

Some might say I am a mature adult and good to go on my own, but I still need lots of inventive, exciting projects scheduled for September to ease the tension. And AMP has a full calendar this year.

I am working hard with our carpenters, Justin and Steve, to install the overhead art pieces in the Ramp Gallery. Going up on ladders, we are challenged to lift and install each 9–12 foot section without losing half of it because they are delicate, three-dimensional resin pieces. Fortunately, these two incredible craftsmen have installed other challenging sections with me. They accept these seemingly impossible tasks without losing patience. Although the three of us are challenged, it is exciting to think about people walking through the gallery, taking it all in.

On the education front, this month I start work with program director Michelle Begley and eight schools in Connecticut on the Regeneration Project. We look forward to our first full project meeting with our participating schools and our advisor, Annie Perkins, from the Mansfield School. I am most excited about seeing all the students come together for the first time to create their three-dimensional Regeneration artwork for the Ramp Gallery. This piece will reflect their environmental concerns and their solutions to climate change. This is going to be big—even for AMP!

And another fun event is happening at AMP this month: News anchor and friend Sarah Cody will give a travel talk with a photography slideshow and sign her new book Around Every Corner in Connecticut on Sunday, September 22. You can purchase a copy of the book at the event. Although we all know AMP is the coolest place to visit in Connecticut, there are so many hidden gems in this state, and it is fun to learn from Sarah about her favorites.

Can’t wait!

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen's Work Blog
August 2024

August! How can it already be August?

This summer is flying by and AMP, inside and out, has been filled with campers for the whole month of July. When I come for staff meetings, my favorite thing is to see what teaching artist Shana is doing in Teen Art Studio. And I can’t leave without heading up to our outdoor playground to see what Chip and Justin are creating with the Design & Build kids.

In my studio, I am finishing some of the overhead pieces for the Ramp Gallery and planning the launch of Regeneration with AMP program director Michelle Begley. Regeneration is a collaborative project with students from eight CT schools that will explore environmental justice through art. The project is slated to begin in the fall and end on Earth Day 2025 with a visit from AMP advisor and best-selling Regeneration author Paul Hawken. Paul will be coming from California to celebrate the project installation, meet the kids involved, and sign his newest books.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. We still have August to go. This month, two of my favorite AMP events return. The first is Theresa Thomason and the KC Sisters on August 10. Their LIVE @AMP show sold out last year, and we’re thrilled they’re returning, along with singer Keith Fluitt.

The second event is Brews & Views on August 24. Four of our community micro-brewers will be here with samples that include their summer releases. I have been anticipating these two Saturday night events since January! I hope you can join us.

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Ellen’s Work Blog
July 2024

July is the busiest kid month on our calendar and it is my favorite for that reason. We now have several Summer @AMP programs going on simultaneously. I love it when the kids’ activities intersect and teenagers work with younger campers at different times of the day.

When Ed Fast leads the teen music week and the younger “Dabble in Art” group comes in to listen, the younger kids dance to the music the teens play.

This year, we are piloting our first Theater program for ages 12 and up, led by Deb Holleran of the Music Theatre of Connecticut. This troupe will perform scenes from the Broadway show Working, A Musical, at the end of the week on Friday, July 19, at 7pm.

For all the adults who also need to have some fun—coming up in the weeks ahead, we have Theresa Thomason & the KC Sisters with Keith Fluitt on August 10. Last year, I had a blast when they performed, and I was not alone. The minute they all started to sing, everyone was up dancing. And don’t miss our second Brews & Views two weeks later on August 24. We had a full house for this event last year. Coming from a beer family, I think we must make this an AMP annual tradition.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
June 2024

One thing I have learned after 25 years of work on AMP: when in doubt, go ask kids for their input.

As I work my way to the end of the ramp section, installing pieces created on our collaborative projects across the country, I am looking ahead to a giant project scheduled for next year with eight schools in Connecticut. The AMP Regeneration Project will address the most critical challenge ahead for all Americans, for all nations around the globe: what are we doing to save the planet?

We have invited some of the most knowledgeable scholars on environmental justice to work with middle school students, but these kids will own this project. They will make decisions about the most critical topics to address and select the most effective and creative way to illustrate the environmental challenges we face.       

I reached out to Paul Hawken who has been an AMP advisor for over 15 years. Paul is a giant in the world of environmental justice and has written many books on the subject, his latest: Regeneration. Paul lives in California but offered right away to assist in any way he could. He has promised to answer questions from the kids as they begin work and agreed to do an AMPTalk and book signing next spring when we unveil the project on Earth Day.       

After all the years of working with kids on collaborative projects, perhaps this will be the most meaningful.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
May 2024

April was way busier than I anticipated, but it was a total blast. We recognized National Poetry Month with an ekphrastic poetry exhibit that was the culmination of Ed Lent’s writing workshops, and we wrapped up with slam poet Taylor Mali entertaining a packed house for one of our LIVE @AMP events. At his best, as expected, Taylor read and performed from a rich body of work. So many poems were hilarious, and the brilliant and moving ones were all the more poignant by contrast.

Now, we head into May, my favorite month. The weather is warmer, things are growing, and colors are appearing everywhere. Around AMP, the staff is digging in and preparing for summer programs and tons of action. 

We are already anticipating the laughter and noise we will hear inside and outdoors this summer during our enrichment programs for kids and teens. These sounds always draw me away from whatever else I am doing. I kid myself that some of the kids in the outdoor nature playground need my help (they don’t)—just so I can get closer to all that fun. 

Let’s get a head start on the merriment at AMP with Family Day on Saturday, May 4th. There'll be lots of activities for everyone the whole day.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
April 2024

As we move out of March and into April, I am making an executive decision to get back to work on the back-ramp gallery behind the mural. There are so many things happening at AMP, and there is a definite need to stay ahead of them. It’s good to divide my time between desk work and the mural itself. 

As I begin again in the studio, I am reminded how wonderful it is to work on a creative project, physically pushing pieces around and dreaming about how they will all come together and surround you as you walk through that secret back-ramp space. And, of course, there is so much area to cover, so much to do to make this all work. 

In my next life, I am going to paint miniatures.

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Ellen’s Work Blog
March 2024

February is normally a slow month, slogging through the last part of winter, long and dreary. But at AMP, February was all about activity. The number of new ideas we test-drove in these four short weeks was amazing. We also ushered in the 2024 LIVE @AMP season with Nikita. They are a fantastic group of talented musicians. They worked magic together and, as easily, threw in sparkling, tour-de-force solos. In addition, we hosted field trips, Teen Art Studio, the CHAMPS after-school program, and our fourth Friday piano hour.

On the last Saturday of the month, we had a special book signing with former NYPD lieutenant Edwin Raymond, who is depicted in the mural. Edwin talked and signed his book An Inconvenient Cop. We had a large turnout for the event, and many police officers and law enforcement workers from around the state attended, including Winsted’s own wonderful Chief of Police, Christopher Ciuci.

Edwin and I met in NYC in February 2016, the day he was promoted to sergeant. I had read an article about Edwin in The New York Times, and I knew I had found the person I needed to include in the mural. He was the one to represent all the great men and women in public service across the country. I had no idea at the time how rich my reward would be. Edwin is one of the most dedicated, principled human beings I know. His sense of fairness has put him in harm’s way on too many occasions, but he has never backed away from what he knows to be his sworn duty to lift up and protect those in his charge.

I am so proud we have the chance at AMP to make a loud noise for Edwin and every great American worker who stands by their convictions. This is the greatest gift we can give to our community—and one another.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
February 2024

For it being the dead of winter, we sure have rolled out a lot of activities for 2024. On January 18 we hosted a fabulous Manufacturing Ambassadors event with Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. I met some of the most interesting people doing remarkable work in support of manufacturing in this state. Many of them give professional advice to young people who are entering the workforce. I am looking forward to this group visiting again.

Last Friday, the 26th, we rolled out the first event of our Fourth Fridays Happy Hour Piano Series. Jazz pianist Jen Allen played beautifully for an incredible crowd. She is sheer talent. Everyone I spoke with announced they were coming back for the next Fourth Friday. We may have to purchase more chairs and fortify the bar! 

And now, on to February and the annual Friends of Main Street Bubbles and Truffles party. This year it’s at Winsted’s Little Red Barn Brewers on Friday, February 9, at 5:30pm. Come on out! It’s such a fun way to support our town.

At AMP, two long-awaited events are ahead this month. On February 17, the much-loved band Nikita opens up our LIVE @AMP season with some of the best R&B, rock, soul, and funk around. Can’t wait for that magic energy of the crowd in our giant space, dancing on all three levels. Nikita is guaranteed to make that happen. Get your tickets soon. I predict a sell-out. 

On the following Saturday, February 24, my friend Edwin Raymond, former NYPD lieutenant, will sign his recently published book An Inconvenient Cop: My Fight to Change Policing in America. Edwin is depicted in the mural and, over the past five years, I have come to know and admire him more and more. Edwin will talk and show a clip from the award-winning documentary Crime + Punishment, which features his story. Having read his book, I think of Edwin as this generation’s Serpico. His experiences in policing seem to exceed possibility for someone so young. I am so excited for you to meet Edwin!

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Ellen’s Work Blog
January 2024

What a fantastic year at AMP. 

We had 30 percent more visitors than last year. We launched the new LIVE @AMP series and had a blast all summer with kids from 6 to 16 creating amazing things—not only in our new program room, but also in the big mural space and up in the woods in our outside build area. We are learning every day how to make more happen on more days for more kids and adults in our community. 

With unrest and divisiveness in various parts of our world at the moment, I am so grateful we have created a place in Winsted where good things happen year round. And we are learning tons about how to make it all work better. I walk into AMP on any given day and everyone is psyched about whatever project or activity is happening in the space.

As we move into the new year, I want to thank you all for the support you have given, in all the forms it has taken. Some of you have been right there with us for so long.

Now, wait until you see what we have planned for 2024!

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Ellen’s Work Blog
December 2023

Holidays are upon us and there are plenty of exciting things to do everywhere I turn.

As I drive home from AMP in the evenings, it is great to see all the new businesses in Winsted lit up and so warming. I remember not too long ago when all those store fronts were dark. It cheers me up to see all this activity in town and think about a future for this area infused with all kinds of new initiatives and talent. I am going to make it a goal of mine in 2024 to visit, or revisit, all these new places and start to exchange ideas on projects we can do together.

Limitless possibilities and we can have so much fun giving new things a try.

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Ellen’s Work Blog
November 2023

October was a fantastic, busy month at AMP. We hosted Sustainable CT for a fun evening as they presented their CT Towns Awards. Our CHAMPS after-school kids contributed to the creation of a giant bowhead whale with Kat Owens. We had a blast with a sell-out crowd for our Recycled Runway. And we ended the month with 100-plus fellows from Fund for Teachers with a full-day seminar in their honor. These back-to-back events pushed all our buttons, but everyone on staff and all our volunteers and interns worked seamlessly through all the events, the projects, some additional field trips, and regular weekend visitors' days without a glitch.

November will be a little less hectic, but we are already setting up for the Recycled Runway exhibit. For anyone planning to visit this month, you will have extra fun checking out these incredible outfits on display on all three floors. And I have plenty to keep me busy working on the back ramp installation, now ablaze with light thanks to Tony and Michael from Vision Electric.

Never a dull moment at AMP!

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Ellen’s Work Blog
October 2023

I always hate the end of summer, giving up shorts for blue jeans, the end of swimming and tennis as temperatures drop. Then again, as fall begins, there is a certain energy that accompanies those chilly morning runs and an inexplicable joy watching the Cardinals upset the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, going way back to years of rooting for an underdog.

 This month I am going to double down on the back-ramp gallery installation. With every screw I countersink into the plywood, another kid’s piece becomes a permanent part of AMP, and we are closer to opening this new space to visitors.

 One of my all-time favorite events at AMP will be back on October 21: the Recycled Runway. This year's event promises to be as much fun as our first. Having seen some of the designers’ entries, I can say these creations will more than stand up to the marvelous pieces we saw in 2019.

 Best of all, this event emphasizes what we foster every day in all of our kids' programs. Creativity and fun are a given, but there is also a strong message, more important than ever, about saving the planet. At AMP one thing never changes: working together to make positive change. And having a blast doing it.

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Ellen’s Work Blog
September 2023

August was not the sleepy summer month I anticipated. AMP continues to move in exciting directions. The staff is busy making plans for fall programing and is looking ahead to 2024. As a group, we are excited as we discuss our favorite moments from this past year and decide what will be most fun for next summer. Michelle, Abigail, and Olivia continue to expand on program ideas for all ages, and now some of AMP’s adult visitors are asking if we might schedule a few similar programs for them. Why not?

 I have been working hard to finish the installation of the Washington project we did in 2012 with eight schools in DC. More than 800 kids were involved and each of them created their own silk-screen piece honoring a family member working in a government job. I am pulling the pieces out, one by one, and inserting them slowly into one major wall area in AMP’s back ramp gallery, which will draw people in behind the mural.

 As I climb higher on the ladder, drilling these assemblies into place, the whole space is transformed. All these three-dimensional pieces, full of color and light. Each one is special. All together they make up the most thrilling, collaborative work of art.

 I can’t wait for you to walk up the ramp and take all of this in. A giant part of AMP, with all these wonderful contributions from kids from all over the country, is still hidden from view behind the mural. But hopefully not for long. Get excited!

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
August 2023

I can’t believe it is August. I need to squeeze in another summer, this one is flying by so quickly.

For the past few weeks, I have been working primarily on preparing installation sections for the back ramp gallery space. Every project I pull out to organize takes me to an earlier time in AMP’s history. I remember the states we visited, fabulous artists, teachers, and mentors who worked with us to complete these projects. I remember the kids—all the kids—involved. There is no question students all over this country have added a dimension to this project that defines it. And these days when I get a chance to meet and occasionally work with kids visiting AMP, collaboration is so clearly the driving force behind every project. More than ever, when there is so much to do in this world to change direction, fix things, save the environment, and help so many who are food deprived or needing companionship—I come into AMP and feel we have some magic happening in this space. There is no question something special is happening here.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
July 2023

I can’t wait for what is ahead.

Summer @AMP began last week for our kids, inside and out and when campers are around the atmosphere is electric. I will spend more time working on the back ramp gallery largely because everything on site is so lively. Kids run up to our build space with Chip and Christine. Ed’s music group plays all things percussive; the rhythms wafting through the main space defying anyone around to stand still. The grow boxes come alive with plants as Meredith and her crew fill another section of the garden. Wild creations emerge all over our new program space where Shana encourages use of any and all materials. There is nothing left for these campers but to go for it.

Can’t wait to see you all this summer at AMP.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
June 2023

On most days over the last eight months I have spent some of my time at work positioning 10,000 watches face up on 28 yards of aluminum wire mesh, immersing them, section by section, in polymer, 19 gallons total. On Wednesday, May 24, John Jacquier, Don Breslauer, and Justin Truskauskas met me at AMP to install this mother-load of watches on the concrete block and brick walls surrounding the elevator shaft in the mural building. Like some kind of Dr. Seuss creature wrapping itself around the elevator and up the stairs, the last section was installed on the third level about 10 feet from the roof. I will spare you the full description of how John, Justin, and Don got that last one up there.

As projects go, I have to be honest and describe it as one of the most tedious creative pieces I have ever done. Yet every time I put my knee pads on, started pulling the watches out in massive piles and, one by one, finding a perfect fit, a sweet juxtaposition, there was this momentary sense of accomplishment. Every watch belonged to a person who gave their time to help someone else. And every night when I got up to leave the studio, the pile of completed watches growing, I thought of the cumulative effect of all that help. At heart, we are still a country of people who want to give back. Sadly, in today’s world, it doesn’t make the front page.

At AMP, it does. 

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Ellen’s Work Blog
March 2023

I am halfway through assembling more than 10,000 watches as we head into March. I can see the finish before we get to spring. As I continue to lay them out, my mind wanders. There are so many stories here—these watch donations span decades. Here is an unorthodox medium that is turning into an amazing art assembly, and a great symbol of collaboration. Once we get this installed, the overall effect is going to be something very special.

Also special is our new series of music events in the mural building—and I am psyched. Mark Saturday, April 1 on your calendar. You do not want to miss this. I have been listening to the KC Sisters as I work in the studio and it brings back memories of growing up and singing with my sisters, Carroll, our alto, and Judy and I, who were first and second sopranos. How much fun it was as siblings to create harmony together, and the KC sisters take this to a whole new level. Add one of our favorite female vocalists, Theresa Thomason, singing Motown and gospel and, together, these women are going to bring down the house.

That’s a promise. Reserve your tickets now.

Ellen's Work Blog

Ellen’s Work Blog
February 2023

In my world, February is the last grey, frigid month of winter. Valentine’s Day is two weeks away and I am getting psyched for all the colorful and exciting things to come: the music, the special events, the next steps on the back ramp installing more impossible sections. And, after spending weeks with a glue gun, it’s exciting to think of how 3,000 tongue depressors will look once they are installed overhead.

There is nothing I love more than starting a day with ideas that will take me somewhere in the hours ahead, but I have yet to understand how it will all end. Some of the most exciting things happen when you don’t know, at the offset, the exact conclusion.

Welcome to 2023. How cool will it be!?!