,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
April 2024

As we move out of March and into April, I am making an executive decision to get back to work on the back-ramp gallery behind the mural. There are so many things happening at AMP, and there is a definite need to stay ahead of them. It’s good to divide my time between desk work and the mural itself. 

As I begin again in the studio, I am reminded how wonderful it is to work on a creative project, physically pushing pieces around and dreaming about how they will all come together and surround you as you walk through that secret back-ramp space. And, of course, there is so much area to cover, so much to do to make this all work. 

In my next life, I am going to paint miniatures.

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
March 2024

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.

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
February 2024

For it being the dead of winter, we sure have rolled out a lot of activities for 2024. On January 18 we hosted a fabulous Manufacturing Ambassadors event with Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. I met some of the most interesting people doing remarkable work in support of manufacturing in this state. Many of them give professional advice to young people who are entering the workforce. I am looking forward to this group visiting again.

Last Friday, the 26th, we rolled out the first event of our Fourth Fridays Happy Hour Piano Series. Jazz pianist Jen Allen played beautifully for an incredible crowd. She is sheer talent. Everyone I spoke with announced they were coming back for the next Fourth Friday. We may have to purchase more chairs and fortify the bar! 

And now, on to February and the annual Friends of Main Street Bubbles and Truffles party. This year it’s at Winsted’s Little Red Barn Brewers on Friday, February 9, at 5:30pm. Come on out! It’s such a fun way to support our town.

At AMP, two long-awaited events are ahead this month. On February 17, the much-loved band Nikita opens up our LIVE @AMP season with some of the best R&B, rock, soul, and funk around. Can’t wait for that magic energy of the crowd in our giant space, dancing on all three levels. Nikita is guaranteed to make that happen. Get your tickets soon. I predict a sell-out. 

On the following Saturday, February 24, my friend Edwin Raymond, former NYPD lieutenant, will sign his recently published book An Inconvenient Cop: My Fight to Change Policing in America. Edwin is depicted in the mural and, over the past five years, I have come to know and admire him more and more. Edwin will talk and show a clip from the award-winning documentary Crime + Punishment, which features his story. Having read his book, I think of Edwin as this generation’s Serpico. His experiences in policing seem to exceed possibility for someone so young. I am so excited for you to meet Edwin!

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
January 2024

What a fantastic year at AMP. 

We had 30 percent more visitors than last year. We launched the new LIVE @AMP series and had a blast all summer with kids from 6 to 16 creating amazing things—not only in our new program room, but also in the big mural space and up in the woods in our outside build area. We are learning every day how to make more happen on more days for more kids and adults in our community. 

With unrest and divisiveness in various parts of our world at the moment, I am so grateful we have created a place in Winsted where good things happen year round. And we are learning tons about how to make it all work better. I walk into AMP on any given day and everyone is psyched about whatever project or activity is happening in the space.

As we move into the new year, I want to thank you all for the support you have given, in all the forms it has taken. Some of you have been right there with us for so long.

Now, wait until you see what we have planned for 2024!

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
December 2023

Holidays are upon us and there are plenty of exciting things to do everywhere I turn.

As I drive home from AMP in the evenings, it is great to see all the new businesses in Winsted lit up and so warming. I remember not too long ago when all those store fronts were dark. It cheers me up to see all this activity in town and think about a future for this area infused with all kinds of new initiatives and talent. I am going to make it a goal of mine in 2024 to visit, or revisit, all these new places and start to exchange ideas on projects we can do together.

Limitless possibilities and we can have so much fun giving new things a try.

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
November 2023

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!

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
October 2023

I always hate the end of summer, giving up shorts for blue jeans, the end of swimming and tennis as temperatures drop. Then again, as fall begins, there is a certain energy that accompanies those chilly morning runs and an inexplicable joy watching the Cardinals upset the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, going way back to years of rooting for an underdog.

 This month I am going to double down on the back-ramp gallery installation. With every screw I countersink into the plywood, another kid’s piece becomes a permanent part of AMP, and we are closer to opening this new space to visitors.

 One of my all-time favorite events at AMP will be back on October 21: the Recycled Runway. This year's event promises to be as much fun as our first. Having seen some of the designers’ entries, I can say these creations will more than stand up to the marvelous pieces we saw in 2019.

 Best of all, this event emphasizes what we foster every day in all of our kids' programs. Creativity and fun are a given, but there is also a strong message, more important than ever, about saving the planet. At AMP one thing never changes: working together to make positive change. And having a blast doing it.

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
September 2023

August was not the sleepy summer month I anticipated. AMP continues to move in exciting directions. The staff is busy making plans for fall programing and is looking ahead to 2024. As a group, we are excited as we discuss our favorite moments from this past year and decide what will be most fun for next summer. Michelle, Abigail, and Olivia continue to expand on program ideas for all ages, and now some of AMP’s adult visitors are asking if we might schedule a few similar programs for them. Why not?

 I have been working hard to finish the installation of the Washington project we did in 2012 with eight schools in DC. More than 800 kids were involved and each of them created their own silk-screen piece honoring a family member working in a government job. I am pulling the pieces out, one by one, and inserting them slowly into one major wall area in AMP’s back ramp gallery, which will draw people in behind the mural.

 As I climb higher on the ladder, drilling these assemblies into place, the whole space is transformed. All these three-dimensional pieces, full of color and light. Each one is special. All together they make up the most thrilling, collaborative work of art.

 I can’t wait for you to walk up the ramp and take all of this in. A giant part of AMP, with all these wonderful contributions from kids from all over the country, is still hidden from view behind the mural. But hopefully not for long. Get excited!

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
August 2023

I can’t believe it is August. I need to squeeze in another summer, this one is flying by so quickly.

For the past few weeks, I have been working primarily on preparing installation sections for the back ramp gallery space. Every project I pull out to organize takes me to an earlier time in AMP’s history. I remember the states we visited, fabulous artists, teachers, and mentors who worked with us to complete these projects. I remember the kids—all the kids—involved. There is no question students all over this country have added a dimension to this project that defines it. And these days when I get a chance to meet and occasionally work with kids visiting AMP, collaboration is so clearly the driving force behind every project. More than ever, when there is so much to do in this world to change direction, fix things, save the environment, and help so many who are food deprived or needing companionship—I come into AMP and feel we have some magic happening in this space. There is no question something special is happening here.

,

Ellen's Work Blog

,

Ellen’s Work Blog
July 2023

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.

Can’t wait to see you all this summer at AMP.

amp_logo_slogan.png

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