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Building Up and Raising Funds

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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!

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Art at Work: Education

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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!"

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Moving In: Installation

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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.

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Community Building

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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!

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Art at Work: Education

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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!

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Art at Work: Education

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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!"

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Art at Work: Education

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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.

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Art at Work: Education

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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.

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Moving In: Installation

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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.

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Art at Work: Education

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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.

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Art at Work: Education

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Art at Work: Education
November 9, 2020

We have a new virtual art program for kids starting in January: Adventure @AMP! Registration is open to participants across the country; maximum 10 kids.

Escape the scenes of the daily routine and take a virtual hot-air balloon trip! Draw inspiration from elements in your world to imagine and construct entirely new ones. Will you explore pizza caves, or a teddy bear forest? In this four-week virtual program, you will use drawing, collage, and some brand-new art techniques to travel great lengths from the comfort of your home. Don’t forget to record your journeys on your unique travel map!

Click here for more information and to register.

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Community Building

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Community Building
November 8, 2020

We're excited to welcome back visitors to the mill in December! Three Open Mill tours have been added on December 5 and 6. Each tour is limited to 16 guests; pre-registration is required. While the tours are free, donations are strongly encouraged to help support the ongoing mural installation, education programs, and future events.

 
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90 Whiting Street • PO Box 538 • Winsted, CT 06098
(860) 379-3006