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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.
I am still trying to decide my best dancing outfit for West End Blend’s appearance at AMP on July 8. Given their popularity at other venues, this band is going to blow the roof off on that Saturday night. Buy tickets now, they are selling fast.
With all this celebrating at AMP, I would be crazy not to remind any of you who have not yet given in our appeal, to consider it. Although it is miraculous, what is happening on all these programs with all these singularly spectacular teaching artists back each year to help us out, all the talent assembled for LIVE @AMP events, sustaining this is not accomplished by a miracle. Our staff, our volunteers, our teaching artists give more than they receive.
Whatever you can do, we are grateful.
Can’t wait to see you all this summer at AMP.
Ellen
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Saturday, July 8 at 8pm
Funky Dance Party!
West End Blend
Wildly popular Connecticut-based funk/neo-soul band brings their classic retro style to AMP.
West End Blend brings their dance party to Winsted, CT with their wildly popular retro-vibe. Since their origin, this CT-based funk/soul band has been playing in venues all over the Northeast and throughout the US. Fronted by vocalist Erica T. Bryan, the band pays homage to classic throwback sounds while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. Behind her, the Blend packs two guitars, a two-piece horn section, bass, keyboards, and drums onto stages every night. From humble beginnings in an epic and sweaty basement dance party, The Blend’s goal has always been to bring that same atmosphere to their shows ever since.
Tickets: $30 advance standing-room ($35 at the door if tickets are available); $10 with student ID; $45 advance limited-seat. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Doors open at 7pm for ticket holders to explore the exhibit—a three-dimensional mural 120 feet long and five stories high—from all three viewing levels.
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Upcoming shows…
Saturday, September 16
AMP Bandstand!
One Time Weekend with Ruby Leftstep
Regional bands bring the best of American pop, rock, and more.
Saturday, October 21
Recycled Runway Show and Exhibition
AMP’s awesome recycled wearable art show is back! See entry details below.
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Call for Entries
AMP’s popular Recycled Runway event will return October 21 at 6pm. This festive night features a trendy fashion show of wearable art made from reused and recycled materials, food vendors, and
cash bar. It’s followed by a month-long exhibit that celebrates the creations–and the ingenuity of the creators behind them.
AMP is now accepting applications for entry.
Participating designers—amateurs and professionals alike—are invited to step up to the
creative challenge of designing original, wearable art made of at least 75 percent recyclable and trash-rescued materials. These outfits will be modeled on the runway at the show, and/or as part of a month-long exhibit. To benefit charities, participating individuals and teams will go thread-to-thread for a chance to raise the most money in support of a cause of their choosing, as well as AMP’s education programs.
Participant applications are due by Friday, August 16. Early applications are strongly advised, due to the overwhelming entry response received for this event in 2019. Completed designs are not needed to apply. Click here for more details.
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Summer @AMP
Summer @AMP celebrates its 6th year of kids and teen programs! Space is still available in two of the six programs: Grow @AMP for kids (July 17–21) and Music @AMP for teens (July 31–Aug 4).
Click here to register now!
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School Field Trips
AMP offers school field trips that immerse students in art, the wide range of work performed in our communities, and hands-on individual and collaborative projects to integrate the learning. Activities are designed to incorporate topics of interest for both large and small groups and include core artistic skills: collaboration, creativity, design, and problem-solving.
Click here to learn more.
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Professional Development for Art Educators
AMP continues to provide professional development to art educators and artists based on community art making and choice-based art rooms. Dates TBD. To make a request, reach out to michelle@americanmuralproject.org.
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Connecticut Summer at the Museum
For the second year in a row, AMP is excited to be one of more than 100 cultural institutions throughout the state participating in the CT Summer at the Museum program, which provides admission at no charge to CT residents ages 18 and younger, and up to two accompanying adults from the same household. Visitors to AMP who would like to participate in the program are welcome during open hours (Friday and Saturday, 10am–5pm, and Sunday, 12–5pm, unless noted otherwise on our website). Tickets are available at the door; they may not be reserved online. Visitors will be asked to provide their zip code to verify CT residency. This program is intended for families and friends and does not apply to organized group visits. Visitors who meet these requirements are welcome to come as many times as they would like, at no charge, July 1–September 4. See the complete list of museums and cultural attractions participating in the CT Summer at the Museum program.
AMP’s participation in the CT Summer at the Museum is supported by Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts in partnership with Connecticut Humanities with funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act as allocated by the state legislature.
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We’re nothing without YOU! Really!
Our small, talented team is crazy–busy, engaging kids this summer, presenting music events, hosting visitors to the mural exhibit, collaborating with sister organizations on new initiatives, and planning for more excitement in the future.
Twice a year, we ask for your support of these efforts. Please make a single donation or a
monthly sustainable gift to AMP and keep the wonderful, positive activities happening here that revitalize our region and enrich our community.
Donate today and know that more is possible at AMP because of you.
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Stop & Shop Community Bag Program
Every little bit counts! AMP will receive $1 from every $2.50 Community Bag sold during July 2023 at:
Stop & Shop
200 New Hartford Road,
Winsted CT
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Friends of Main Street in Winsted is once again hosting the town’s Summer Concert Series on the town green in East End Park (across from Dairy Queen). These free concerts feature live performances every Thursday at 7pm from July 6 through August 24. Bring a chair or a blanket and treat yourself to blues, rock, country, folk, oldies or even an eclectic jam, as each week will bring a different band to the stage. All concerts are free to attend, and are fair-weather events that will be canceled for inclement weather. Click here for a complete event listing and more information.
The concert series is made possible with generous support from Northwest Community Bank.
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CORPORATE SPONSORS
Scope Construction
Northwest Community Bank
R&M Insulation
Hartford HealthCare
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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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The American Mural Project seeks to inspire, to invite collaboration, and to reveal to people of all ages the many contributions they can make to American culture. A celebration of American ingenuity, productivity, and commitment to work, the project is intended as a tribute and a challenge. | | | | |
