AMPed UP
January 19, 2022
And that's a wrap! Thanks to everyone who came out for our last sneak peek tour this past weekend. More info soon on when we'll be opening with regular hours this summer. Can't wait to see you!
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
October 27, 2021
Congrats to Michelle Fenton Begley, AMP's education programs director, who is a 2021 Litchfield Hills Creative Awards winner!
The winners are individuals and organizations who positively impact the community and enhance the collective wellbeing through arts and other creative means.
Way to go, Michelle!
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
October 25, 2021
An amazing interview with Ellen Griesedieck, founder of the American Mural Project, on Nick Wagner's The Full Potential podcast. Ellen shares her inspirational career journey, from photographer to AMP.
Click here to watch the full interview on YouTube.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
July 23, 2021
Ellen, our founder, and Mimi, our development director, were recently interviewed by Nick Wagner Sr. for his podcast on Innovate CT, which highlights and promotes innovation in Connecticut schools and colleges through knowledge and best practice sharing.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
June 9, 2021
Three of our staff members—Amy, Ruthie, and Michelle—completed a course in CPR/AED and First Aid so that our tours and programs are always covered by someone who is trained. Offered through Winsted Area Ambulance Association Official Site, our group's training was led by Ryan Weiss, WAAA's vice president, who did a great job of making it thorough and engaging. What an awesome experience!
AMPEd UP
AMPed UP
April 29, 2021
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for our first-ever virtual event honoring workers! If you missed it, would like to watch it again, or want to share it with friends and family, check it out on YouTube (youtube.com/watch?v=CcrE2wLuGcU) or on our Facebook page.
AMPed Up
AMPed UP
July 1, 2020
Welcome Karraine Moody and Solidea Pitruzzello, AMP's new Board members!
Karraine has served as the chief executive officer of Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity for the last six years. She opened the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Bloomfield, launched Habitat’s neighborhood revitalization initiative to address blighted and vacant properties, and opened the Financial Freedom Center to provide asset building workshops for families within Greater Hartford. Prior to that, she held positions with Hartford Public Schools, United Technologies, and managed her own consulting firm.
Solidea ("Dea") is currently the vice president, retail banking administrator, at Northwest Community Bank. She has worked at other banks in the region since 1995, as well as at the Hartford Board of Education, Southend Community Services, and the Wheeler Clinic. She holds extensive certifications and licenses, and has served on the boards of the Farmington Rotary, the Plainville Chamber of Commerce, the Wheeler YMCA, and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
As AMP continues to grow, with additional programs, events, and renovations, the Board will play a pivotal role in fundraising, financial management, marketing and public relations outreach, and the next five-year strategic plan. We are excited to have them join our Board!
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
June 1, 2020
AMP’s “Work Matters” social media project highlighting workers in the local community and beyond has continued to grow. From medical professionals to teachers to small-business owners, it has been exciting to hear what people love about their work and why it matters.
We’re paying tribute to the amazing work going on around the country with stories that celebrate, inspire, and connect people to work in America. Check out the ongoing posts on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter , and visit AMP’s website for the current profiles.
AMPed Up
AMPed UP
January 25, 2020
Look who came to visit AMP last week...Senator Kevin Witkos and Representative Jay Case! We've been fortunate to have several politicians visit us lately—the word is out about the great things happening in Winsted and everyone wants to check it out!
AMPed Up
AMPed UP
October 21, 2019
These one-of-a-kind beauties are selling faster than Ellen can paint them! We're ordering more t-shirts and hoodies—yes, hoodies!—so we can have plenty more ready before the holidays. Get AMPed for these special hand-painted gifts! Adult and youth sizes available soon.
AMPed Up
AMPed UP
October 18, 2019
Staff planning meeting underway. So many great programs and events coming up next year. Stay tuned!
AMPed UP
WinstedPhoenix
October 14, 2019
Senator Chris Murphy hosted an arts roundtable at AMP on Friday! Along with state representatives and arts leaders from around Connecticut, he discussed the arts as an economic driver.
Murphy said “I have been a believer from the very beginning that AMP is not only a good thing for Winsted, but it is transformational for everyone who gets to come here. I am a believer in art and the initiative of art changing people’s lives.”
Click here to read the full WinstedPhoenix article by Shaw Israel Izikson.
Building Up and Raising Funds
Building Up and Raising Funds
September 29, 2019
Now that's the kind of fun we wish we could have every day! Last night we had 250+ people at the mill, enjoying delicious food, dancing to music by the amazing Nekita Waller Band, and taking in these unbelievable runway designs. Click here to view more photos from this incredible event.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
September 15, 2019
The Paddock Classic Cars hosted an artistic car tour at AMP last weekend, including lunch with retired racing driver and sports broadcast journalist Sam Posey and an overview of the mural with Ellen. If your group is interested in organizing an event at the mill, please send us a message!
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
August 31, 2019
What a great visit with Congressman John Larson and his team on Thursday!
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
July 25, 2019
A giant thanks to Herringtons Lumber who shares AMP’s commitment to reuse and repurpose materials. They helped us load up on donated wood, including dowels, moldings, details pieces, pine planks, and more for our two weeks of Outdoor Design & Growing programs for tweens. A great partnership to save valuable resources and give rejected materials another life 🌎.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
April 30, 2019
This past Saturday, AMP hosted nearly 100 Connecticut star teachers—all Fund for Teachers fellowship grantees—at the mill for a full day of activities, including working with them on a collaborative project. Click here for more photos of the day.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
April 23, 2019
Meet Ruthie Ursone Napoleone, who joined AMP as development manager in February!
Ruthie is a Winsted native who most recently worked as the communications and community specialist at Camp Jewell YMCA, where she implemented the camp’s communication strategies and built meaningful community partnerships. Her past work experiences in Litchfield County include positions at NW CT’s Chamber of Commerce and The Litchfield County Times. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Marist College and a M.S. in School Counseling from Central Connecticut State University. At AMP, Ruthie works on grantwriting, sponsorship, membership, and other development initiatives. She is most excited about working alongside and learning from AMP’s team of dynamic and accomplished professionals. She and her husband, Tony, live in Winsted with their two children (and one black cat). In her spare time, Ruthie can be found reading a book, traveling with her family, alpine skiing, or volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 1027, Winsted Youth Soccer, and Winchester Public Schools.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
April 19, 2019
Exciting news for Ellen! AMP’s founder to receive education award. Click here to read about it. Watch Ellen’s acceptance video here.
AMPed UP
AMPed UP
December 22, 2018
The Connecticut Economic Resource Center - CERC recently held their annual Celebrate CT! event, which honored economic development successes throughout the state, including naming AMP (and 17 other organizations) a top economic development leader for our contribution to the state's economy!
