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I am having so much fun helping address envelopes for our annual appeal. It is the one time of year I get to slip back in time, thinking about all of you who support AMP. Some are recent donors I have yet to meet, while others have been helping us out for a decade or two.
It is the perfect time of year to appreciate what all this means. I remember early days of working hard to translate my idea for the mural project to others without much visual aid. Instead, our future home for AMP was a cavernous basement space in an old mill, pitch dark and full of water. My description of a future five-story high, three-dimensional work of art was a pretty hard sell. And to suggest to most audiences that this installation, once complete, would spur subsequent ideas for all sorts of kids' programming and live events for all of us bordered on the absurd.
Sometimes it happens that you have to plunge ahead with a tiny group who believe in your giant idea. And once on a roll, momentum builds in its favor. But it is ALWAYS the people behind the effort who make it happen. The small group grows and the power and impact grows with it.
In the end, it is all of you who sensed this big idea could be our present reality.
More than anything, this giant tribute to American workers is about community. We are all in this together.
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Art brings us together. You make it possible.
Make your 2025 gift today!
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Thanks for helping us open the doors even wider in 2026.
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Family Day: Funny Business!
Saturday, December 13
11am-2:30pm
Our big mural means BIG fun for families! Family Day @AMP offers a day for families to learn, explore, play and make art! Doors open at 10am for a day packed with things to do while exploring the world’s largest indoor collaborative work of art—five stories high! FREE for families!
FAMILY DAY ACTIVITIES:
Teen Art Studio from 10:30am to 1:30pm (see below)
Stories & Songs of the Season with Shello at 11am
A festive and fun musical story time with AMP's own Michelle Begley, former children's program leader at Canton Public Library.
Make Art & Explore at 12pm
Includes scavenger hunts and kid-friendly tours.
Interactive Program: Funny Business! Improv Comedy at 1:30pm
This interactive, all-ages program led by Music Theatre of Connecticut's Deb Holleran will teach you the basics of improvisational comedy via interactive games and activities that make it easy for everyone to join in at their own pace. Improv comedy sharpens great skills: listening, teamwork, and saying “yes” to new ideas. Best of all, we could all use a good laugh!
Feel free to bring snacks or a lunch. If the weather is cooperative, picnic tables are available outside and kids can explore AMP’s Nature Playground!
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AMP’s Family Days are supported by the generosity of the Comis Foundation and Torrington Savings Bank.
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Teen Art Studio
Saturday, December 13
10:30am–1:30pm
AMP’s Teen Art Studio is a drop-in teen art program where young artists can explore painting, sculpture, and mixed media in a welcoming studio environment assisted by an AMP teaching artist. No prior experience needed!
Cost: $5 materials fee per session, or free with an AMP Student Membership ($25/year)
What’s included: All materials, mural exhibit admission, and access to Family Day activities.
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Teen Art Studio is made possible in part by the Torrington Savings Bank Foundation.
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Happy Hour Piano Series
Holiday Singalong with Dan Ringuette
Friday, December 26
5–7pm I Music Starts: 5:30pm
Looking for something fun and fab to do the day after Christmas? The winter chill won’t keep us from warming up our vocal cords with a rousing holiday singalong. Pianist Dan Ringuette brings his uniquely theatrical flair to AMP for an evening of seasonal classics that will keep you in the spirit of the season. Wow your holiday guests with a festive holiday mixer and carol sing set against the most AMPtastic backdrop!
Dan Ringuette is a frequent music director and pit musician for the Warner Theater, the Goshen Players, and the Landmark Community Theater. Dan has also arranged music for shows at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. When he is not working in theater, Dan teaches piano, voice, and woodwinds and is the keyboardist/cantor for St. Louis de Montfort parish in Litchfield, CT.
Reserve your $8 tickets in advance or purchase at the door.
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AMP's piano series is supported in part by the Greenberg Family.
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A Winsted-Winchester Christmas
Winsted is buzzing with holiday cheer all December—tree lightings, caroling, open studios, festive shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides, and plenty of hot chocolate. From downtown celebrations to Whiting Mills’ maker magic, it all builds to the Gator Christmas Parade that sends the season out in style.
For the full calendar of events, visit the Friends of Main Street website here.
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LIVE @AMP
Mark your 2026 calendar—Nicole Zuraitis hits the AMP stage on February 7! A 2x GRAMMY winner and 4x nominee, Nicole is a New York–based jazz singer-songwriter, pianist, arranger, and bandleader, with a “heart as big as her remarkable voice” (Jazz Police).
🎟️ Tickets available soon.
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