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On most days over the last eight months I have spent some of my time at work positioning 10,000 watches face up on 28 yards of aluminum wire mesh, immersing them, section by section, in polymer, 19 gallons total. On Wednesday, May 24, John Jacquier, Don Breslauer, and Justin Truskauskas met me at AMP to install this mother-load of watches on the concrete block and brick walls surrounding the elevator shaft in the mural building. Like some kind of Dr. Seuss creature wrapping itself around the elevator and up the stairs, the last section was installed on the third level about 10 feet from the roof. I will spare you the full description of how John, Justin, and Don got that last one up there.
As projects go, I have to be honest and describe it as one of the most tedious creative pieces I have ever done. Yet every time I put my knee pads on, started pulling the watches out in massive piles and, one by one, finding a perfect fit, a sweet juxtaposition, there was this momentary sense of accomplishment. Every watch belonged to a person who gave their time to help someone else. And every night when I got up to leave the studio, the pile of completed watches growing, I thought of the cumulative effect of all that help. At heart, we are still a country of people who want to give back. Sadly, in today’s world, it doesn’t make the front page.
At AMP, it does.
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Saturday, July 8, 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
Announcing the return of AMP’s popular Recycled Runway event, which 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. Click here for more details.
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Make Music Day
Wednesday, June 21
AMP is thrilled to partner with local organizations to join the international Make Music community, offering free music to all during this worldwide celebration of music.
Family Music & Stories
Beardsley Library & AMP teaching artist “Shello”
11am–12pm
PUBLIC
Workers’ Lunch Hour
T J Thompson Trio
12:30–1:30pm
PUBLIC
AMP Donors
T J Thompson - solo piano
2–3pm
BY INVITATION
Mad River Music Bands & Students
5–7pm
PUBLIC
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Connecticut Open House Day
Saturday, June 10
More than 200 tourism attractions across the state, including museums, arts and cultural venues, historical sites, farms and restaurants, will welcome visitors with free or discounted admission or special offers—and AMP is one of them. Enjoy free admission while exploring the mural on Saturday, June 10.
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Discover summer programs in every form imaginable, including art, music, robots & rockets, and our popular nature-based program. Kids, tweens, teens ages 7–17. Click here to see all our summer offerings. | | |
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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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5th Annual Torrington Strawberry Festival
Enjoy a fun day of fun, shopping and food at this great event on June 3 from 10am-4pm at Coe Park in Torrington. The day will feature vendors from across the state, multiple food trucks and an area with strawberry treats including strawberry shortcake, strawberry lemonade, strawberry pie and more. Rain date is June 4 from 10am-4pm. Click here for more information.
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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. | | | | |
