Art at Work: Education
April 25, 2021
Our virtual stop motion program for kids is wrapping up—and what a huge hit it has been!
Moving In: Installation
Moving In: Installaion
April 19, 2021
Up, up, and away the rocket goes! Just kidding...these pieces aren't going anywhere The newly added three-dimensional elements that create the rocket "blast" look amazing!
Moving In: Installation
Moving In: Installation
April 16, 2021
Last week's install included several three-dimensional elements, including this beautiful piece which is part of the section of the mural depicting Maine fisherman Manley Doughty and his crew. It features a gigantic piece of driftwood, fishing nets, lobster traps, lawn ornaments, and a number of once-smelly bait bags that were collected as part of the Maine state project.
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
January 31, 2021
Check out our new virtual art program for teens in March: CreativeMinds @AMP!
Teen artists will unwind together with relaxing art projects in this four-week virtual program. From collage and mobiles to simple wire sculptures, participants will try their hand at a variety of different media. It is often said that keeping the hands moving allows the mind to follow suit—sometimes without us even noticing. These projects are specially designed to deeply engage creative minds. In the end, participants will not only have a collection of conceptual art pieces, but also a deeper experience in communicating and sharing their unique identities! Click here for more information and to register.
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
January 20, 2021
Our CHAMPS after-school art enrichment program is virtual, but that doesn't stop the fun! Our Tuesday afternoon participants, supported by teaching artist Jess Russell and intern Izzy Jacobs, did directed drawing exercises and made awesome and inventive party animals!
In the Studio
In the Studio
January 5, 2021
Ellen is working on sparks for the River Rouge section of the mural, a few of the many three-dimensional pieces she'll be installing in the coming months. This one is composed of fabric, conduit, chicken wire, and resin.
Click here for our installation photo gallery.
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
December 30, 2020
We have another new virtual art program for kids in February: LoveWorks @AMP! Click here for more information and to register (registration closes on January 18).
Building Up and Raising Funds
Building Up and Raising Funds
December 29, 2020
Solidea Petruzzello, vice president, branch manager of Northwest Community Bank and a member of AMP’s board of directors, presented a $21,500 check yesterday to AMP Executive Director Amy Wynn—a donation through Connecticut's Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit program!
This was the first time AMP participated in the program, thanks to the town of Winchester’s facilitation of AMP’s application. Through this program, the state approved donations to AMP from three businesses in support of energy-efficient building improvements and repairs to AMP’s buildings.
AMP also learned that two other donations through this program will be made from Webster Bank and from Connecticare, each in the amount of $3,451.92.
AMPmazing news!
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
December 23, 2020
Meet Lena, one of our interns from Northwestern Connecticut Community College! Pictured on the left, she's helping teaching artist Meredith Arcari with a virtual CHAMPS after-school enrichment program recording.
"I was ecstatic when I was given the opportunity to become an intern at AMP! I have grown up around the arts my whole life. I went to arts schools for both elementary and high school. At my high school, I was the head of their costume department for all four years. I absolutely adore the arts and love how I am able to incorporate it into my college career!"
Moving In: Installation
Moving In: Installation
December 20, 2020
Planning is underway for the stairs, railings, and two-story platform that will become a reality in the next few months! This is an exciting step that will help make viewing the mural accessible for all. And it gets us to the second-floor education programming space and the entrance to the future atrium and Visitor Center that will house the expansive education center! We have exciting plans for expanding our education programs in 2021—the need is there and we’re going to meet it. Please help support all of our future endeavors—from mural installation and education programming to community events and our worker-in-training internship program.
Click here for our installation photo gallery.
Community Building
Community Building
December 9, 2020
Yesterday AMP hosted the local judging for the Connecticut fire prevention poster contest, which was open to fourth and fifth grade students throughout the state to promote fire prevention and fire safety, with the theme of "Fire Prevention—Everyone/Every day." Approximately 30,000 students from 130 communities take part in this annual contest.
Congrats to Pearson School first place and runner-up winners: Bria, Kadence, Haley, and Grace! Their posters will be submitted to the countywide judging committee to determine the county winners that will go on to the final statewide judging. Good luck, Winsted!
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
December 7, 2020
Makaela, one of our Digital Story Work summer interns, has continued her internship through the fall, and is busy working on "Meet the Teaching Artist" videos. These videos will be a great way for participants and families to get to know the teaching artists who lead our virtual, summer, and after-school programs. The Digital Story Work internship program will be back next summer—a great opportunity for young adults ages 17 and older to develop basic skills in video production and the art of digital storytelling. More details in the coming months!
In the Studio
In the Studio
November 27, 2020
A whole new stock of one-of-a-kind hoodies and t-shirts have landed at the mill, thanks to Ellen's hard work painting and numbering each and every one! Surprise your friends and loved ones with the coziest and coolest wearable art gifts this holiday season. Sizes range from youth XL to adult 2XL. Shop now!
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
November 25, 2020
Welcome Izzy Jacobs, one of our interns from Northwestern Connecticut Community College, who is helping with the CHAMPS after-school enrichment program at AMP (which is now virtual)!
"When I am not doing schoolwork or helping at AMP, I enjoy skateboarding with my brother and binge-watching reality TV shows. I have been working with children for 2 1/2 years by coaching gymnastics, and I absolutely love continuing that experience through AMP!"
Building Up and Raising Funds
Building Up and Raising Funds
November 19, 2020
Our interns and staff kids are hard at work assembling our annual appeal mailing, set to hit mailboxes next week. We love their support—and yours!
Thank you, Izzy, Lena, Marco, and Riker!
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
November 17, 2020
Meet Jessica Jane Russell, one of our incredibly creative teaching artists for the CHAMPS after-school enrichment sessions, Summer @AMP programs, and our December virtual program Gifting @AMP!
Originally trained in architecture, Jessica (a.k.a. Messy Jessy) taught art at the New Orleans Children’s Museum before converting her personal studio space in a 19th century factory building on the Bantam River into a creative space for families, called Art Room Atelier. Jessica believes that creativity matters—especially for children, whose adaptability and resiliency depend on it—and gets better with lots of encouragement, space, and opportunity.
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
November 16, 2020
We have a new virtual art program for kids starting in December: Gifting @AMP! Registration is open to participants across the country; maximum 10 kids per session (two time slots available).
In this four-week virtual series, participants will welcome winter together with crafting and gifting projects, using a custom kit assembled by AMP teaching artist Jessica Jane Russell. Explore three creative processes based in simple, all-natural materials: rolling beeswax into candles, winding yarn to make pom-poms and tassels, and painting creations in homemade salt clay. Each virtual session starts with discussion and demonstration, followed by working together on the project, and closing with a mindfulness game, giving children all the tools necessary for independent, off-screen creative work.
Click here for more information and to register.
Moving in: Installation
Moving In: Installation
November 14, 2020
Motoring right along with another element added to the mural last week: the three-dimensional water, made with hand-molded resin, under the Young America yacht!
Click here for our installation photo gallery.
Moving In: Installation
Moving In: Installation
November 12, 2020
The piano section—a tribute to American music—went up last week. Necessitating two lifts to install it in a higher spot in the mural, the 18-foot piano features names and scores from 118 composers, vocalists, and instrumentalists in every genre of American music.
Click here for our installation photo gallery.
Art at Work: Education
Art at Work: Education
November 11, 2020
Welcome Sarah Zahran, one of our new teaching artists who will be leading Adventure @AMP, a weekly virtual art program for kids in January! Sarah brings together the left and right sides of the brain—with an education background in mechanical engineering and a recent career in visual arts. As an artist, she plays in a variety of media to process and celebrate traveling the non-linear path. Outside of art and teaching, Sarah is passionate about music, running, and being outside.
We can't wait to see what Sarah and the Adventure @AMP kids create! For more details, check out: americanmuralproject.org/virtual-programs.
