American Mural Project opens summer 2026 programs for kids and teens

The American Mural Project (AMP), home to the world’s largest indoor collaborative artwork, has opened enrollment for its Summer @AMP 2026 programs for children and teenagers. Programs will be held at AMP’s facility at 90 Whiting Street in Winsted.

Each four- or five-day session offers hands-on activities including painting, building, dancing, and even lessons about turtles, emphasizing art-making and collaborative learning. Programs are kept small to ensure individualized attention, and no previous experience is required.

Registration begins March 3. Participants who register before March 31 receive a $25 early bird discount. Families enrolling more than one child can apply a $25 sibling discount using the coupon code AMPSIBLING2026. Scholarships are available through April 27; applications can be submitted via email to michelle@americanmuralproject.org.

Detailed program descriptions, age recommendations, and pricing are available at americanmuralproject.org/summer.

SUMMER @AMP Programs 2026

ART PLAY – Artistic adventures ahoy in this half-day program for ages 6-8!

July 13–July 17; 8:30am to 11:30am

Creative kids set sail for endless art adventures at AMP! Participants can explore new things, get messy, and make fantastic art – indoors AND outdoors – through imaginative projects. This is a small group program led by Master Teaching Artist Lanea Collins, creative director of The Teaching Artist Hub. Half Day Price: $200

BAND LAB – Kids ages 10 and up play, write and rock @AMP!

July 27–July 31; 9am to 3pm

With the guidance of Sam Guglielmino of Winsted’s Mad River Music, young musicians will have a rocking time choosing music and preparing for a live performance in this five-day program! Jam with a group, play solo and write songs—all while exploring a variety of musical styles. Participants are encouraged to bring their instruments and can also try new ones. Don’t have an instrument or don’t have experience? No worries; you can still rock on! The final performance will be in AMP’s main gallery on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 2pm. Full Day Price: $375

CURTAIN UP! MUSICAL THEATRE – Kids ages 7 and up take center stage with our giant mural as a backdrop!

In partnership with Grumbling Gryphons

July 6–July 9, 2026 ; 9am–3pm

It’s showtime! In this performing arts program, kids ages 7 and up will experience the sheer magic of theater. Acting, singing, dancing, playing music, costume-making and stagecraft are all part of this authentic theatrical experience. Under the direction of teaching artists, participants will perform the original musical The Ghost Net: An Environmental Musical of the Sea alongside professional acting troupe Grumbling Gryphons. The Ghost Net was developed by Grumbling Gryphons in cooperation with environmentalists and marine biologists dedicated to protecting marine wildlife. Participants will develop self-confidence, communication skills, and work as a team leading up to their performance of The Ghost Net on the AMP stage with our beautiful mural as your backdrop! Full Day Price: $375

THE DABBLER – Is your child a dabbler who thrives when trying new things? AMP invites kids ages 9–12 to sample a wide array of art!

July 20–July 24, 2026; 8:30am–3pm

In the AMP studio, kids get AMPed up relishing the freedom of sAMPling a variety of fun art adventures! Kids will learn fundamental drawing skills, sculpting with natural materials in our “nature playground”; building 3-D objects out of recycled materials, and more! Design, draw, or paint your way into your own imaginative projects! Active indoor and outdoor exploration, with AMP as the backdrop, will allow kids’ imaginations to soar as they decide what to explore and try out next! This is a small group program led by Teaching Artist Kwadwo Adae of Adae Fine Art. Full Day Price: $375

OUTDOOR DESIGN & BUILD – Hands-on carpentry and woodworking for tweens and teens 12 and up.

Week One: June 22–June 26; 9am to 3pm

Week Two: June 29–July 3; 9am to 3pm

You imagine it…and then you build it! In this small-group outdoor program, tweens and teens design, plan, and build lasting wood structures and sculptures in AMP’s kid-built Nature Playground. Working together, under the guidance of experienced woodworkers, participants gain practical skills and confidence using hand tools to create projects. Past projects include an outdoor stage, A-frame, pergola, planter boxes, a treehouse and more! This small-group outdoor program, led by Chip Heuer and Justin Truskauskasmaintains a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio to provide hands-on direction. Two five-day sessions are offered. You may register for one or both. Full Day Price: $400.

TEEN ART STUDIO IMMERSIVE – Teens set their creativity free in this week-long art studio immersion!

June 22–26; 9am to 3pm

Our monthly Teen Art Studios are among the most popular programs at AMP – and for good reason! In a relaxed and social setting, teens step into their power as creators. Teens choose their own art projects and mediums and—with a dedicated teaching artist’s guidance—create independently and collaboratively. This is a small group program led by certified Visual Arts teaching artist Shana Bazelmans.vFull Day Price: $375.

TEEN ART STUDIO: FIBER ARTS & FASHION – Milan, Paris, New York…Winsted?? AMP teaches teens ages 13+ how to stitch, sew, weave and design with style.

June 29–July 3, 2026; 9am to 3pm

Teens with a flair for fashion can try their hand at a variety of fabric arts in a relaxed and social setting! Using a variety of textiles, participants will sew up fun art projects and create ‘fits of their very own creation! Playing with color, texture, shape, and more, our budding designers be runway-ready with sustainable and fashionable looks! This is a small group program led by certified Visual Arts teaching artist Shana Bazelmans. Full Day Price: $375

#TEAMTURTLE – Kids ages 7-11 come out of their shell and take a deep dive learning about turtles and marine conservation through art!

July 6–July 10; 8:30am to 3pm
Ages 7–11

AMP puts the “a” in STEAM! In this brand-new program, kids will learn about the life cycle of turtles and what makes them so special. Participants will learn from the workers who have devoted their lives to protecting them from the impact of climate change and human activity. Marine conservationists from the VerdiAzul turtle hatchery in Costa Rica will join us virtually to tell us about the work they have done to increase the number of turtles released to 95%. Participants will follow the incubation and hatching of turtle eggs in real-time! Through art, we’ll discover how we can envision and activate a world where we live alongside our friends in the sea! This is a small group program led by Teaching Artist Calla Begley. Full Day Price: $375

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March events at Fairfield Theatre Company

3/5 – The Grayboy Allstars
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3/12 – David Messina
3/13 – Terrapin
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3/19 – Ignite The Mind: Live Auction
3/20 – Glow Dance Party
3/20 – Max Creek
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3/25 – Godowives and the Gallows
3/25 – Big Richard
3/26 – Reprise
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3/27 – The Big Lebowski
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3/21 – Monster Jam click here to purchase tickets
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3/27 – TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour, click here to purchase tickets
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