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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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Recycled Runway 2023 a Success!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Recycled Runway 2023 and who voted/donated online for favorite fashions. The event raised more than $16,000 for AMP and 15 other charities.
Twenty-nine designers and teams unveiled their eco-friendly fashion creations, crafted from recyclable materials. We are grateful to both our AMPlifier supporters and to event sponsors Dri Umbrellas and Torrington Savings Bank.
A sold-out crowd of more than 200 attendees and supporters gathered for the fashion show, emceed by comedic playwright Jacques Lamarre. The designers and models, dedicated crew, and enthusiastic supporters brought the culminating show to life with such a positive energy. It left everyone asking, “When can I sign up for the next Recycled Runway?”
Click here for photos.
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Recycled Runway 2023: The Fashion Exhibit
November
If you missed the Recycled Runway event, or just want to relive its glory and get an up-close look at the creations, visit us during November to explore the fashion exhibit. The month-long display showcases exquisite trashion fashions and the ingenuity of their designers. Free with admission.
Friday 10am–5pm
Saturday 10am–5pm
Sunday 12–5pm
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Veterans Day
Saturday, November 11
FREE admission for veterans
AMP honors the men and women who have served our nation in the armed forces. Thank you.
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Teen Art Studio Launches on November 11
Second Saturdays
10:30am–12:30pm
AMP’s new monthly drop-in program, for ages 13 to 18, fosters teens’ creative pursuits in a supportive, social setting. Young artists will explore major artworks, expand their knowledge of the visual arts, and try their hand at varied mediums (e.g., drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion, photography).
It’s a special time and space just for teen artists, where they can steadily build their portfolios and embark on a collective artistic journey in a relaxed, sociable studio environment—all with the guidance of teaching artist Shana Bazelmans. Teen Art Studio is free with admission or with an AMP Student Pass. For more information, email: michelle@americanmuralproject.org.
Teen Art Studio is made possible in part by Renee Chatelain and Kevin Lyle.
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Art After School: CHAMPS
2023-24 School Year
The sixth year of the CHAMPS after-school program is in full swing. Twice a week, students in grades 1 to 6 from Winchester elementary schools arrive at AMP excited to create artistic projects. AMP’s choice-based studio environment fosters kids’ individual interests, collaboration, and community art-making.
CHAMPS is generously supported in part by Tinty Foundation, American Savings Foundation, M&T Charitable Foundation, and Northwest Community Bank Foundation.
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School Field Trips Are Underway
2023-24 School Year
During October, AMP welcomed the staff and students from Southwest School, Torrington. The entire school has had the opportunity to visit and participate in AMP’s guided Tour & Explore.
During a Tour & Explore visit, classes investigate the world of work and discover their power to make a difference. The mural exhibit is the springboard for lively discussion and inspires students to invent “big ideas” that benefit their own communities. Students collaborate, design, create, problem solve—and leave feeling inspired to act.
To schedule a school field trip, email: michelle@americanmuralproject.org.
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The mural and Watches Project exhibits continue to get a steady stream of visits from groups and senior centers. To schedule a group trip to AMP or include AMP as a bus-tour stop, email: abigail@americanmuralproject.org. | | |
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AMP welcomes new team member Olivia Scott. A recent graduate from Central Connecticut State University, Olivia holds a bachelor’s in strategic communications, with a minor in public history. She is putting both to good work at AMP.
Olivia began as an AMP program assistant during the summer education programs. “I promptly fell in love with the space, people, and message,” she said. Now, as a permanent part of the administrative team, Olivia is involved in event rentals, visitor services, educational programming, and general management. She also had the opportunity to get back into her stage manager shoes for Recycled Runway. “It's all been a blast,” enthused Olivia, “and I look forward to what the future brings!”
AMP is happy to have you on the team, Olivia!
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Election Day
November 7
Exercise your right to vote on Election Day. Thank you to all the election workers!
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Yoga at AMP with Jan
Mondays, 6pm
Yoga instructor Jan Young has been leading yoga in the AMP gallery on Monday evenings. She rents the gallery for classes, and her students have been gushing about both Jan as a teacher and the AMP space. For more information about the class, email: janyoga@att.net.
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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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Museum of Tort Law
654 Main Street, Winsted, CT
A trip to Winsted, CT, isn’t complete unless you visit the nationally acclaimed Museum of Tort Law. Founded by activist/author Ralph Nader, the museum offers high interest exhibits that delve into the history and contemporary facets of the U.S. legal system. The displays shed light on the right-to-jury trials and notable injury cases, providing valuable context and food for thought.
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2nd Home Lounge
524 Main Street, Winsted, CT
It’s a short walk from the Tort Museum to the cozy-artsy neighborhood hang 2nd Home Lounge, where you can take in live music, relax on eclectic sofas and comfy chairs (or at the bar), and choose from a menu of sizable—and delicious—noshes, plus wine and craft beer. It’s the kind of second home you’ve always wanted.
| Thanks for supporting the businesses that support AMP. | |
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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. | | | | |
