Looking for creative, engaging activities for the whole family? AMP’s Family Days offer an exciting lineup of hands-on activities for children of all ages. Games, storytimes, art projects, and interactive learning programs spark kids’ curiosity and creativity—and celebrate the art of work. AMP’s Family Days are the perfect way to spend quality time together.
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆!
Family Days also coincide with AMP’s popular Teen Art Studio from 10:30am–1:30pm—something for everyone in the family.
March 14 Family Day Schedule:
𝟭𝟭𝗮𝗺: 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
With special guest Carol Parent from Beardsley Library.
𝟭𝟮𝗽𝗺: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗠𝗣
Includes scavenger hunts and kid-friendly tours.
𝟭:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝘁!
Fun with Author Dan Rau & The Bookmobile!
Starting with cave paintings and hieroglyphics, humans have used both art and writing to tell stories. In this fun, interactive family activity, children’s author and illustrator Dana Rau will guide you through how to make a Zine, a DIY magazine that is part personal, part collaboration, part poetry, part art, and all cool! Every participant will leave with their very own Zine to keep the creativity going.
Added bonus: the Read to Grow Bookmobile will be on-site from 10am to 3pm for kids to explore books and find one to bring home!
AMP’s Family Days are supported by the generosity of the Comis Foundation and Torrington Savings Bank. The Teen Art Studio is made possible in part by Torrington Savings Bank Foundation.
LOCATION
90 Whiting Street
Winsted, CT 06098
860-379-3006
TEEN ART WORKSHOPS
AMP’s Teen Art Workshops are open to all skill levels. The suggested donation is $10, but all teens are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Come ready to make art, try new things, and connect with a community of teen creatives.
Game On! with Gerald Moore
Saturday, January 24
10:30am-1:30pm, AMP Program Room
Artist and Educator Gerald Moore leads this interactive workshop featuring his very own creation: THE GAME.
Using 3D acrylic shapes, participants create neighborhoods, cities, characters and storylines. THE GAME engages your creativity as every choice you make when placing the objects impacts the narrative. Working (and playing!) with Gerald, gamers collaborate on universe-building and storytelling in a way where individuals can shine and everybody wins!
Gerald Moore is an artist, educator and entrepreneur. His style is informative and inspiring. He believes deeply in the power of creativity and design principles to have a positive impact on the everyday life of each of us. While admittedly an expert in nothing, he is an explorer of everything. He consistently receives enthusiastic responses from those who have accepted his invitation to play and have experienced his work.
Create, explore, and connect at monthly Teen Art Workshops for ages 13–18—led by guest artists in a welcoming studio setting.
Art Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, November 22 | 10:30am–1:30pm
Ages 13–18 | Suggested Donation: $10
Teaching Artist: Abigail Lindquist
We’ll explore beyond AMP to find real-world examples of art principles and elements, then bring our finds back to share and discuss—with hot chocolate and snacks to finish.
About Teen Art Workshops @AMP
Fourth Saturdays | 10:30am–1:30pm | Ages 13–18 | Suggested Donation: $10
Monthly Teen Art Workshops at AMP give young artists time and space to focus on their creative interests—surrounded by inspiration and guided by guest teaching artists.
Each session offers hands-on projects, conversation, and feedback in a supportive studio setting or off-site art destination. Workshop topics vary and reflect what matters to teens—exploring personal voice, creative process, and new techniques.
Open to all skill levels. Materials provided. Suggested donation is $10, but all teens are welcome regardless of ability to pay.
You may also be interested in AMP’s Teen Art Studio on second Saturdays.
About the Teaching Artist
Abigail Lindquist is a multimedia artist and educator with a background in fine arts and art history from Central Connecticut State University. Her work spans oil painting, fiber arts, photography, printmaking, and narrative installation. With over a decade of teaching experience, Abigail designs hands-on programs that encourage young artists to explore their own creative voice while building the skills and language to engage more deeply with art. She has also worked in artist representation and commercial photography, supporting illustrators whose work appears in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the BBC. At AMP, she leads thoughtful, media-driven workshops that inspire connection, curiosity, and artistic growth.
Come ready to make art, try new things, and connect with a community of teen creatives. Registration appreciated.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teen-art-workshop-art-scavenger-hunt-tickets-1574491349009?aff=oddtdtcreator
A welcoming, drop-in teen art studio—where you can explore new materials, make friends, and grow as an artist.
Creative exploration and community go hand in hand at Teen Art Studio (TAS) for ages 13 to 18. Guided by a teaching artist, you can try new materials, develop your own ideas, and connect with others in a relaxed environment. It’s a space to grow as an artist and have fun doing it.
Come as you are. No pressure, just possibilities.
Every Second Saturday of the month, the studio becomes a creative zone where you can try something new, meet people who get you, and see your ideas come to life—with guidance from a teaching artist and no pressure to be perfect.
Come once or as often as you like.
Teen Art Studio is a drop-in program, so you can come once or as often as you like. Many teens return month after month to build skills, portfolios, and friendships. Teaching artist Shana Bazelmans brings experience, guidance, and creative prompts to help your ideas take shape. It’s not just about making art—it’s about feeling seen and inspired.
Reserve your spot—it helps us prep materials, and you can still drop in if you decide last-minute.
What to Know
When: Every Second Saturday, 10:30am–1:30pm
Where: American Mural Project, 90 Whiting Street, Winsted, CT
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
How to join: Reserve your spot—it helps us prep materials. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The Teen Art Studio 2025–26 Season
Every Second Saturday, 10:30am–1:30pm
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13
January 10
February 14
March 14
April 11
May 9
June 13
AMP’s Teen Art Studio is one of the few drop-in teen art programs in Northwest Connecticut where young artists can explore painting, sculpture, and mixed media in a welcoming studio environment. Whether you’re looking for teen art classes in CT or creative things to do for teens in Winsted, TAS offers a hands-on, community-based experience every Second Saturday—no prior experience needed.
Reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teen-art-studio-amp-tickets-1513856307969?aff=oddtdtcreator
Spend an afternoon writing poetry that draws on your own work experiences, surrounded by AMPs monumental artistic tribute to workers.
About the Workshop:
Write about the work that shaped your life—surrounded by an indoor mural that honors it. This half-day workshop invites older adults to explore their own stories of work, purpose, and identity through poetry.
Guided by poets Steve Straight and Elizabeth Thomas, you will reflect on personal experiences, draw inspiration from AMP’s mural, and craft original poems in a relaxed, artistic setting. No prior writing experience is needed.
Who It’s For:
Adults ages 55+ who are interested in exploring creative writing, whether you’re a longtime journaler or trying poetry for the first time, you’ll find resonance with others in a group where every story matters.
What to Expect:
A guided creative poetry writing workshop designed for older adults
Inspiration drawn from AMP’s 120-foot indoor mural of American workers
Supportive instruction from two respected poet-educators
Opportunities to explore, create, share, and connect
Time to explore AMP’s inspiring mural gallery
Meet the Instructors:
Steve Straight is a poet and retired professor of English and director of the poetry program at Manchester Community College. His book Affirmation received the 2023 William Meredith Award for Poetry.
Elizabeth Thomas is a poet, educator, and founder of UpWords Poetry. A Master Teaching Artist for the Connecticut Office of the Arts and The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, she leads poetry workshops nationwide.
About the Mural Gallery at AMP:
AMP’s spacious mural gallery, set in a renovated historic mill building, combines industrial charm with a distinctive artistic atmosphere. Its centerpiece is the incredible indoor mural—120 feet long and five stories high—that celebrates American workers on a grand scale.
With the mural as the backdrop to the workshop—and three levels for viewing and reflecting—you’ll have a rare opportunity to write in a space that honors creativity, work, and the stories that shape us.
You will leave with new poems, fresh inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for your own work stories—and how those stories connect to others and to the mural.
Register today!
Teen Art Studio is a welcoming art makerspace just for teens.
Every Second Saturday of the month, from 10:30am to 1:30pm, teens transform the program room with their laughter, inquiring minds, and art. Teen Art Studio (TAS) is a once-a-month, drop-in program that empowers teens to work independently and together on self-directed art projects.
Facilitated by beloved teaching artist Shana Bazelmans, TAS is a welcoming place for teens to:
Be themselves.
Have fun making art while making friends.
Try their hand at varied mediums (e.g., drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion, photography).
Expand their knowledge of the visual arts.
Explore major artworks.
Build their art portfolios.
Embark on a collective artistic journey in a relaxed, sociable studio environment, with the guidance of the teaching artist.
New teens can join at any time!
The program is drop-in and free with student admission ($5) or an annual AMP student pass. For details, email michelle@americanmuralproject.org.
Second Saturdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm
Upcoming Dates:
December 14
January 11
February 8
March 8
April 12
May 3
June 14
Teen Art Studio is made possible in part by The Torrington Savings Bank Foundation, Renee Chatelain and Kevin Lyle.
The Connecticut Art Trail is pleased to announce its expansion to 24 member museums and cultural sites in 2024 with the addition of Eastern Connecticut State University’s Art Gallery (Eastern Art Gallery). Additionally, The Carousel Museum and Five Points Arts join as affiliate members. The expansion brings new opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in the Trail’s unique Passport program — providing access to rich cultural and arts experiences throughout the state.
The Eastern Art Gallery has been the university’s on-campus cultural incubator for four decades. The museum features exhibitions of contemporary art intended to inspire students, faculty, and the community and has dedicated itself to advancing the school’s public liberal arts mission. Eastern Art Gallery provides exhibition programming with depth and relevance to multiple disciplines and a diverse campus and community audience.
“We are thrilled to announce Eastern Art Gallery as the 24th member of the Connecticut Art Trail and sixth location in eastern Connecticut,” said Carey Mack Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at the Fairfield University Art Museum. “Eastern Art Gallery and the university are tremendous partners in championing our state’s incredible creative and cultural spaces. Also, the addition of The Carousel Museum and Five Points Arts as affiliate members further diversify the cultural landscape available to all Connecticut Art Trail Passport holders.”
The Art Trail’s expansion signifies an unwavering commitment to making art accessible to everyone. For $35 art enthusiasts can purchase a Passport at ctarttrail.org or a member museum. Good for the year, the Passport provides one-time admission to each of 24 locations – 24 museums and the two affiliate members. This affordability aligns perfectly with the rising trend of “third spaces” – welcoming environments outside of home and work where individuals can connect, relax, and engage in enriching low-cost or no-cost activities. With more than two dozen unique destinations to explore, the Connecticut Art Trail offers a tremendous opportunity for residents and visitors to tap into accessible cultural experiences in every corner of Connecticut.
Trail explorers can gain more than an enriching experience by visiting Connecticut Art Trail museums and cultural sites. With every sticker collected at a participating museum, Trail explorers are one step closer to being entered in a grand prize drawing. Collect all 24 unique stickers and drop the completed Passport off at your final museum destination to be eligible for an overnight stay for two at the Delamar West Hartford — complete with a couples massage.