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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.
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Poetry Workshop
The Mural as Muse:
An Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop
With Poet Ed Lent
March 2, 9am-12pm
This event is sold out, but there are four more creative writing and spoken-word events at AMP that you can indulge in. See the Coming in April section below.
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Teen Art Studio
Saturday, March 9
10:30am–12:30pm
Every second Saturday, AMP offers Teen Art Studio (TAS). TAS is a once-a-month drop-in program that empowers teens to work independently and together on self-directed art projects. Facilitated by beloved teaching artist Shana Bazelmans, TAS is a place to have fun making art while making friends. New teens can join at any time. Free with admission or an AMP student pass. For details, email michelle@americanmuralproject.org.
Teen Art Studio is made possible in part by Renee Chatelain and Kevin Lyle.
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Summer @AMP
Registration opens to the public on March 4 for this year’s incredible assortment of summer enrichment programs for kids, tweens, and teens:
Outdoor Design & Build
Session 1: June 24–28, 9am–3pm
Session 2: July 8–12, 9am–3pm
Ages: 12+
Theater @AMP
Working, The Musical
July 8–11, and July 15–18, 9am–3:30pm
(Participation in both weeks is required.)
Ages: 12+
STEAM @AMP
July 8–12
8:30am–3pm
Ages: 7–11
Led by CT Stem Academy
Grow @AMP
July 15–19
8:30am–3pm
Ages: 7–11
Teen Art Studio @AMP
July 22–26
9am–3:30pm
Ages: 12–17
Music @AMP
July 29–August 2
9am–3:30pm
Ages: 13–17
Dabble @AMP
July 29–August 2
8:30am–3pm
Ages: 7–11
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AMP Talks
The Radium Girls:
The Fascinating History Behind the Best Seller and Film
Saturday, March 16, 2pm
Guest Speaker: Colleen Nicastro, Director of Interpretation for the American Clock & Watch Museum
Learn about the Radium Girls—the American women of the 1920s who worked as radium dial painters for the watch industry. Their heroic story became the subject of the popular film named after them and The New York Times best-seller Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore.
Poisoned by the radioactive paint they worked with, the Radium Girls' pleas for help were flatly denied by management in the name of profits. They took their fight all the way to the Supreme Court, eventually prevailing. Their courageous battle has significantly improved the conditions for workers across the country and over the decades up to today.
The talk is included with admission, and you can get a close-up look at the Watches Project art installation too.
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Happy Hour Piano Series
Maria Centola, Classical and Tango
Friday, March 22, 5pm
Admission: $6 at the door (Free with AMP Pass)
Cash/credit bar
On fourth Fridays, AMP extends its exhibit hours for happy hour. Relax and unwind after work among friends. Enjoy a drink and explore the mural gallery with musical accompaniment by celebrated pianist Maria Centola.
Maria Centola is the dynamic classical pianist of the ensemble InfiniTango fame. Maria will play a fusion of classical and tango music. She has performed alongside Grammy Award-winning musicians of Argentine tango music. Her unique arrangements and interpretations are infused with Italian, French, the 1920s-30s jazz, and Latin rhythms.
Next month:
T.J. Thompson; Blues, Soul, and Jazz
Friday, April 26, 5–7pm
The piano series is made possible thanks to Kim and Jeff Greenberg.
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Family Day
Geology-Inspired Activities for Kids of All Ages
Saturday, March 23
Kids under 12 are free.
Bring the kids to AMP for these hands-on, geology-themed activities that will be happening throughout the day:
- Make your own paint—from rocks
- Scavenger hunt
- Crystal break out
- Art station is open!
Before or afterward, visit the annual Rock & Mineral Show next door at Whiting Mills.
Sponsored in part by Silver Spiral Creations LLC.
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Poetry, Poetry, Poetry
April is National Poetry Month, and AMP will be celebrating all month long—with The Mural as Muse ekphrastic poetry exhibit (included with admission) and three offerings by renowned performance poet Taylor Mali.
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LIVE @AMP
Poet Taylor Mali in Performance
Saturday, April 20, 7pm
Advance Tickets: $10-$20
Door Tickets: $30
eventbrite.com
“Taylor Mali is a ranting comic showman and literary provocateur.” –The New York Times
Taylor Mail is a must-see for anyone who loves slams, performance poetry, live spoken word on stage, or stand-up comedy.
A stand-out performer who emerged from the poetry slam movement, Taylor Mali has appeared in the HBO series “Def Poetry Jam,” Slam Planet, SlamNation, and the Peabody Award-winning “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry.” Mali has performed with such poet icons as Billy Collins and Allen Ginsberg and is a four-time National Poetry Slam champion. He is perhaps best known for his viral YouTube performance of “What Teachers Make.” His books will be available for purchase and signing at the event through the Curious Cat Bookshop.
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Poetry Workshop
Restocking Your Quiver:
A Workshop for Teachers Who Teach Writing
Friday, April 19, 3–5pm
Registration opens on March 9.
Perhaps best known for his viral YouTube slam-poetry performance, “What Teachers Make,” poet Taylor Mali knows all about the joys and challenges of teaching. That’s because he’s a veteran teacher himself. He’s also a student of former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins and a lauded poet in his own right.
This workshop will breathe fresh life into the teaching-writing process. Mali will share his classroom expertise, refilling your writing quiver with gems like Rhyme Time, Slam Poem Mad Lib, and Thing, Direction, and Discovery. Teachers will receive a hefty dose of inspiration along the way.
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Poetry Workshop
The Humanity of Metaphor:
A Creative Writing Workshop for Students
Friday, April 19, 2024, 11am – 1pm
Registration opens on March 9
americanmuralproject.org/poetry-workshops
Metaphors are the lifeblood of poetry, yet their use can be daunting for new writers. In this workshop for high school and college students, poet Taylor Mali will draw participants into the magical power of metaphor and help them break through the barriers that keep them from using metaphors in their own writing. They’ll play Metaphor Dice—Mali's addictive, imaginative game that aids writers to think (and write!) more figuratively—and invent their own metaphors.
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Poetry Sponsors
Events with Taylor Mali are made possible by a grant from Connecticut Humanities (CTH), an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Additional support for these events comes from CT State Northwestern and with funding from the Northwestern Community College Foundation.
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BUSINESS CIRCLE SPOTLIGHT | |
Every month we spotlight some of our business circle members. If you’d like to learn more about AMP's Business Circle, email: mimi@americanmuralproject.org. | | |
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Laurel Bowling Lanes
266 Main Street, Winsted, CT
laurelbowling.net
Laurel Bowling Lanes offers indoor fun all year round. They offer duckpin bowling lanes and leagues, glow-in-the-dark parties for kids, and more. After you’ve struck out, enjoy a drink from their on-site Boba Tea bar or a round at the pool table. Make time to spare for a night at Laurel Bowling Lanes.
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Noujaim’s Mediterranean Bistro
436 Main Street, Winsted, CT
noujaimbistro.com
Traditional Mediterranean cuisine isn't a world away. Noujaim’s Mediterranean Bistro garners praise for its authentic Lebanese fare. Whether you're hunting for some Fattoush or chasing after some good Kafta, you’ll find it at Noujaim’s. Falafel fans will especially enjoy Falafel Happy Hour on Thursdays and Fridays, 4–7pm. And if you want to learn the chef’s secrets, try the Lebanese cooking course.
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Volunteer
Need a little more AMP in your life? We are looking for fun, creative, and passionate volunteers to join our team. We offer a variety of opportunities in marketing, events, education, and development. For more information, email olivia@americanmuralproject.org.
Donate
AMP is growing and serving the community in new ways. Your financial support makes it all possible. We appreciate it!
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CORPORATE SPONSORS
Scope Construction
Northwest Community Bank
R&M Insulation
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PRINCIPAL FUNDERS
Newman’s Own Foundation
AG Foundation
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts
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