Join us on Thursday, May 29 at 1p.m. for a docent-led tour of the exhibition Famous & Family: Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann.
About the Exhibition: Austrian-born Trude Fleischmann (1895-1990) was one of the most accomplished female photographers of the 20th century. After great success in Vienna in the 20s photographing artists, models, and performers, she fled the Anschluss in 1938, first to Paris and then New York. She opened a studio on Fifth Avenue in 1940 and photographed many of the artists and intellectuals of the day, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Albert Einstein. This exhibition will include loans from the Wien Museum in Vienna, Austria, the New York Public Library, private collections, and as well as never-before-exhibited works from family collections.
Image: Trude Fleischmann, Peter Altenberg (1859-1919), Writer and Adolf Loos (1870-1933), Architect, Vienna, 1918, printed 1988, gelatin silver print. Lent by the Wien Museum, Vienna, Austria. © Trude Fleischmann
Join us on Thursday, June 12 at 4 p.m. for a docent-led tour of the exhibition Famous & Family: Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann.
About the Exhibition: Austrian-born Trude Fleischmann (1895-1990) was one of the most accomplished female photographers of the 20th century. After great success in Vienna in the 20s photographing artists, models, and performers, she fled the Anschluss in 1938, first to Paris and then New York. She opened a studio on Fifth Avenue in 1940 and photographed many of the artists and intellectuals of the day, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Albert Einstein. This exhibition will include loans from the Wien Museum in Vienna, Austria, the New York Public Library, private collections, and as well as never-before-exhibited works from family collections.
Please note: The tour will precede a lecture with Elizabeth Cronin at 6 p.m. in Bellarmine Hall, Diffley Board Room. She will be discussing Heimat Photography and the Art of Trude Fleischmann. Register here!
Image: Trude Fleischmann, Peter Altenberg (1859-1919), Writer and Adolf Loos (1870-1933), Architect, Vienna, 1918, printed 1988, gelatin silver print. Lent by the Wien Museum, Vienna, Austria. © Trude Fleischmann
Guided art adventures and self-expression—indoors and outdoors
Ages: 9–11
Dates: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25
Time: 8:30am–3pm
Teaching Artist: Meredith Arcari Luciano
Partnership: Arcari Floral
Fee: $350
Your child will discover endless inspiration in this hands-on, exploratory program that bridges art and nature. Gathering inspiration from the world around them, they will use tactile materials and natural elements to create artwork. Each open-ended project sparks creativity and self-expression while fostering a deep connection to nature.
Over five enriching days, young creators will:
Create eco-friendly sculptures from natural and upcycled materials.
Transform found objects into 3D artworks.
Learn the art of botanical printing.
Make their own earth-based pigments and paints.
Sketch and journal in nature.
Design wind chimes for the garden.
Build textured pathways using natural elements.
Share their artistic discoveries with newfound friends.
In Dabble, every nature walk becomes an artistic adventure, and every artwork tells a story of discovery.
This is a small group program. Space is limited.
Registration is now open for Dabble!
AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.
Scholarships available. Learn more: https://www.americanmuralproject.org/summer-faq#summerscholarships
Explore more Summer @AMP programs: https://www.americanmuralproject.org/summer
May 18th is International Museum Day! On this day, we encourage you to explore the incredible array of art and culture right here in Connecticut along the CT Art Trail. From historical masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary works, our member museums offer something for everyone. Your support, whether through a visit, membership, or donation, helps these institutions continue their crucial work of preservation, education, and community engagement.
Read our latest newsletter to see how you can support CT museums at any of our 30 member museums and cultural sites, and to get the latest news and events from the Connecticut Art Trail, including:
- On May 7th, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Advocacy Day came to the Hartford Capitol building!
- Weir Farm NPS opened for the season on May 3rd! Buildings are now available to explore and other programs are kicking off for the season!
- The New Britain Museum of American Art is partnering with the National Gallery of Art for their “Across the Nation” initiative, bringing two significant loans – Robert Seldon Duncanson’s Fruit Still Life and Winslow Homer’s East Hampton Beach, Long Island – to the museum starting this month as part of the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
- Family programs at Grace Farms, Stamford Museum and Nature Center, and The Bruce.
- A look at the permanent collection at Weir Farm NPS!
- A fun gift idea for Mother’s Day – Pints and Paintings: get mom the ultimate adventure with a CT Art Trail passport AND CT Field Trip Passport with 2-for-1 beers at 43 breweries.
Real-life carpentry and woodworking
Three sessions:
ODB Basic: Structure: June 23–June 27 *WAITLIST ONLY
ODB Basic: Structure and Sculpture: June 30–July 3
ODB Advanced: July 7–July 11
Dream it and build it! In this small-group outdoor program, tweens and teens will design, plan, and build lasting wood structures and sculptures. Working together, under the guidance of an experienced woodworker-artisan duo, participants gain practical skills—and confidence—using hand tools to create projects. Past projects include an outdoor stage, A-frame, pergola, planter boxes, and a treehouse.
In these five fun-filled days, kids will:
Gain basic carpentry skills—measuring, cutting, fitting, and more.
Use their own set of hand tools—and take pride in their proper care and safe use.
Try out building techniques using modern, dimensional lumber.
Learn to source natural materials from the environment.
Develop spatial design aptitudes.
Work as a team.
Discover the sheer joy of real-life woodworking and building.
Space is limited. This is a small-group outdoor program that maintains a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio to provide hands-on direction. Early registration is recommended.
Session 2 – ODB Basic: Structure and Sculpture
Gain practical furniture-making skills while participating in the RiseUp for Art Able TableTM initiative. Participants will:
Design and build a structure for AMP’s campus.
Build wheelchair/stroller-accessible picnic tables to enhance the community.
Explore accessibility in public furniture design, ensuring that everyone “has a place at the table.”
Contribute to tangible, community-serving projects.
Learn how public art transforms spaces and fosters inclusion, and more.
No experience is necessary for ODB Basic: Sculpture, but…
A keen interest in carpentry and the outdoors is a prerequisite. Participants will need to work together to complete their project successfully.
Ages: 12+
Dates: Monday, June 30 – Thursday, July 3 (no session on July 4)
Times: 9am–4pm
Teaching Artists: Chip Heuer and David Polon
Partnerships: RiseUp for Art
Fee: $395
Early Bird Discount
A $25 Early Bird discount will be applied when you register before March 31.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.
AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.
Real-life carpentry and woodworking
Three sessions:
ODB Basic: Structure: June 23–June 27 *WAITLIST ONLY
ODB Basic: Sculpture: June 30–July 3
ODB Advanced: July 7–July 11
Dream it and build it! In this small-group outdoor program, tweens and teens will design, plan, and build lasting wood structures and sculptures. Working together, under the guidance of an experienced woodworker-artisan duo, participants gain practical skills—and confidence—using hand tools to create projects. Past projects include an outdoor stage, A-frame, pergola, planter boxes, and a treehouse.
In these five fun-filled days, kids will:
Gain basic carpentry skills—measuring, cutting, fitting, and more.
Use their own set of hand tools—and take pride in their proper care and safe use.
Try out building techniques using modern, dimensional lumber.
Learn to source natural materials from the environment.
Develop spatial design aptitudes.
Work as a team.
Discover the sheer joy of real-life woodworking and building.
Space is limited. This is a small-group outdoor program that maintains a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio to provide hands-on direction. Early registration is recommended.
Session 3 – ODB Advanced
Participants will apply the skills they’ve gained and learn new ones, designing and building with more autonomy. Through AMP’s partnership with the RiseUp for Art Able TableTM initiative, participants will:
Design and build a structure for AMP’s campus.Build wheelchair/stroller-accessible picnic tables to enhance the community.
Explore accessibility in public furniture design, ensuring that everyone “has a place at the table.”
Contribute to tangible, community-serving projects.
Learn how public art transforms spaces and fosters inclusion, and more.
To register for ODB ADVANCED, you MUST meet one of these requirements:
Successful completion of one of the Outdoor Design & Build BASIC sessions OR
Successful completion of ODB in a previous year OR
Passing a basic carpentry skills assessment (Request an assessment when you register.)
Ages: 12+
Dates: Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 11
Times: 9am–3pm
Teaching Artists: Chip Heuer and David Polon
Partnerships: RiseUp for Art
Fee: $395
Early Bird Discount
A $25 Early Bird discount will be applied when you register before March 31.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.
Several museums on the Connecticut Art Trail have opened registrations for their 2025 summer camps, which give children of all ages a chance to build their creativity and strengthen their artistic skills.
Art-themed summer camps include gallery tours, craftmaking, outdoor activities, and more. Most camps offer weekly sessions, with the ability to sign up for multiple sessions during the summer. Scholarships and discounts are available in many cases.
“Summer camps on the Connecticut Art Trail are an excellent way for both children and adults to discover the art museums in their community,” said Carey Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at Fairfield University Art Museum. These programs offer an immersion in Connecticut’s rich art collections and activities designed to stimulate creativity, and they’re a great way for kids to enjoy the summer.”
Summer camps scheduled at Connecticut Art Trail museums include:
- The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art: Camp Aldrich offers sessions for grades 1-3 from July 7-18 and for grades 4-6 from July 21-25
- American Mural Project: Summer@AMP and Teen Art Studio weekly programs explore a variety of themes including art play, band lab, and outdoor design and build. Available to ages 6-18, running June 23 to Aug. 1
- Five Points Arts: Summer Teen Art Labs feature afternoon sessions four days a week from July 7 to Aug. 14. This is a free program designed to help young artists develop a strong portfolio.
- Florence Griswold Museum: The museum’s weekly summer programs include Wee Faerie Camp (June 10 to July 3), Intensive Camp for Middle School Students (June 23-27), and Art Colony Camp (July 7 to Aug. 8); sessions are available for grades 1-8.
- Greenwich Historical Society: Art & History Camps offer children in grades 2-8 an interactive experience on this historic campus, with three separate experiences available between July 14 and August 1.
- Hartford Art School Galleries: The Hartford Art School’s Pre-Collegiate Visual Arts Portfolio Workshop runs July 7 to Aug. 1. This is designed for high school students interested in pursuing an art career and helps them develop a portfolio to apply to art colleges and universities.
- Lyman Allyn Art Museum: The Summer Art Immersion program runs July 7 to August 1 and includes weekly sessions for ages 5-11.
- Mattatuck Museum: The School’s Out program has six week-long sessions between June 30 to Aug. 8 and is open to ages 6 and up.
- MoCA CT: Camp MoCA runs June 16th through Aug. 18 and is open to ages 4-10.
- Mystic Museum of Art: Junior Studio Camps and Specialty Camps are available to ages 3.5 to 15 between June 16 and Aug. 22.
- New Britain Museum of American Art: Weekly three day sessions are available for ages 6-12 from July 8-31.
- Silvermine Arts Center: Summer Art Studio week-long camps run from June 16 to Aug. 22 and are open to ages 3-17.
- Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Wonder Art Camp and Wild at Art Camp are open to ages 18 months to 3 years old, with two-day sessions available each week from June 30 to Aug. 8.
For more information on individual camps, including updates on registration availability, check the museum website.
From Free Verse to Haiku
Explore the Intersection of Art & Poetry—in an Immersive Writing Experience
Join Madison CT’s Poet Laureate Ed Lent for an inspiring journey where art meets poetry at the American Mural Project. This immersive two-part workshop invites you to create poetry in response to the world’s largest indoor collaborative mural—a breathtaking five-story celebration of work, creativity, and human connection.
Moving from free verse to haiku, you’ll discover how to express more with less while exploring the mural’s powerful imagery from multiple perspectives. Your registration also includes full-day admission to AMP’s exhibit, potential inclusion in the special National Poetry Month exhibit at AMP, and an optional guided tour.
Last year’s workshop sold out quickly—secure your spot today for this opportunity to enhance your creative writing in a truly extraordinary setting.
Key Benefits
Immerse yourself in artistic inspiration. Create poetry in an innovative space, drawing inspiration from the world’s largest collaborative mural, a five-story celebration of work, creativity, and human connection.
Explore two distinct writing forms. Progress from expressive free verse to the refined precision of haiku in one dynamic workshop.
Connect with a vibrant, creative community. Share your work and receive feedback in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Receive expert guidance. Learn directly from Madison CT’s Poet Laureate Ed Lent, an experienced educator and award-winning poet.
Showcase your talent. Have your poetry featured in AMP’s special National Poetry Month exhibit.
Enjoy full access to a unique artistic venue. Your registration includes all-day admission and an optional guided tour of the mural exhibit.
Participate regardless of experience level. Whether you’re a published poet or a complete beginner, this workshop welcomes all writers.
Who Should Attend?
Writers of all levels—no prior poetry experience required!
Anyone looking to explore the connection between art and poetry
Creatives and educators seeking new techniques to inspire their work
Individuals drawn to unique, immersive artistic experiences
Ages 16+
Workshop Structure: Two Distinct Parts, One Inspiring Experience
Participants must take part in both sessions—the second part builds on the first, deepening your writing process.
Part 1: Free Verse Writing – Responding to the Mural
What Happens?
Participants will immerse themselves in the mural’s vast imagery and themes, exploring different sections up close.
Using guided prompts, they will write a free-form poetic response, capturing emotions, ideas, and personal reflections sparked by the artwork.
Writers will focus on specific details within the mural rather than trying to capture the entire piece at once.
Benefits of Part 1
Encourages spontaneous, authentic writing in response to visual storytelling.
Helps writers find their voice by allowing unrestricted creative expression.
Develops observational skills, training the eye to notice meaningful details.
Sets the foundation for the next step—refining expression through haiku.
Part 2: Haiku – The Art of Saying More with Less
What Happens?
After writing in free verse, participants will shift to the structured and minimalist beauty of haiku, the traditional Japanese poetic form.
Ed Lent will introduce the principles of haiku—its rhythm, economy of language, and deep emotional resonance.
Writers will extract key images and emotions from their free verse and distill them into haiku, learning to convey powerful ideas in just a few words.
The session will end with a discussion and optional poem sharing, offering participants the chance to reflect on the process.
Benefits of Part 2
Teaches precision in language, refining free-flowing thoughts into a structured form.
Strengthens editing skills, helping writers cut excess words while maintaining impact.
Deepens creative discipline—haiku requires thoughtful word choice and subtlety.
Encourages introspection, capturing fleeting moments and emotions in compact, vivid imagery.
Why Both Parts Matter
This is a progressive workshop. In Part 1: Free Verse Writing, you will explore the mural exhibit from three levels and let your raw expression flow. In Part 2: Haiku, you will engage in a creative refinement process that enhances your output.
By experiencing both, you will have a full-spectrum writing experience, unleashing your creativity freely and then shaping it into something intentional and powerful.
Showcase Your Poetry in The Mural as Muse Exhibit
Workshop participants will have the exclusive opportunity to submit their poems for the special AMP poetry exhibit celebrating National Poetry Month. Selected works will be professionally displayed in the gallery alongside the inspiring mural that sparked their creation.
Limited spots—last year’s workshop sold out, so register early to secure your place.
Celebrate Spring by taking an Art Break! Join Artist-in-Residence Donna Moran for a casual afternoon of collage. Moran will introduce her approach to collage and discuss how she gives new life to old prints by tearing them up and reassembling them in fresh ways. She will then demonstrate her techniques and guide participants in creating their own artworks.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own paper materials for collaging, including any abandoned prints they want to tear up. We will also have a selection of collage materials available for the class. All other materials will be provided, including non-toxic water-based glue.
Wednesday April 16, from 1-4 PM
Group size 6-12, All Levels, ages 12 & up*
*younger children may participate with active help from an adult.
Registration Fee: $10/person
Ages: 13+
Two sessions—choose one or both:
• TAS 1: June 23 – 27
• TAS 2: July 7 – 11
Time: 9am–3:30pm
Teaching Artist: Shana Bazelmans
Fee: $350 per session
At Teen Art Studio, teens step into their power as creators. They’ll choose their own art projects and mediums and—with their dedicated teaching artist’s guidance—create independently and collaboratively. Photographs, print, cloth, and a vast array of other mediums will be offered.
Teens will have the opportunity to:
Master techniques in sculpture, illustration, mixed media, painting, fashion design, and more.
Develop their unique artistic voice through personalized projects.
Build a portfolio for future artistic endeavors.
Form meaningful connections with fellow young artists.
Gain confidence through creative problem solving.
Learn from an experienced teaching artist who nurtures individual talent.
Perfect for both beginners and experienced young artists, this program provides all the tools, guidance, and inspiration teens needs to thrive creatively.
This is a small group program. Space is limited.
Registration is now open for Teen Art Studio. Link: https://americanmuralproject1.regfox.com/teen-art-studio
AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.
Scholarships available. Learn more: https://www.americanmuralproject.org/summer-faq#summerscholarships
Explore more Summer @AMP programs: https://www.americanmuralproject.org/summer
You don’t have to wait for summer!
Check out AMP’s monthly Teen Art Studio during the academic year: https://www.americanmuralproject.org/teen-art-studio