American Mural Project announces August event lineup

The aftermath of the Great Flood of 1955 in downtown Winsted, CT. Photo from the collection of The U.S. National Archives.

The American Mural Project has announced its schedule of public programming for August 2026 at its Winsted venue. The site houses the world’s largest indoor collaborative work of art.

The monthly lineup features a historical program focused on the Great Flood of 1955, which devastated Winsted and surrounding regional communities. The flood programming includes a documentary film, an educational lecture, and a dedicated exhibit.

In addition to the historical exhibit, the venue will host community events throughout the month. Highlights include The Big Ol’ Family Day Arty Party and a scheduled Piano Happy Hour.

The organization will also continue its WORKS FOR ME! initiative during the month. The program provides free admission to the facility for all teachers and educators throughout August.

August events

Special Exhibit
INUNDATED: Connecticut’s Great Flood of 1955
August 1-29

In 1955, one of the worst floods in the history of the Nutmeg State raged through Winsted and surrounding communities. Eighty-seven people died while communities suffered over $200 million in damages. This month-long exhibit of photographs and artifacts drawn from Winsted, New Hartford, Torrington, Barkhamsted, Unionville and Collinsville historical societies and libraries invites audiences to consider how environmental events shape the nature of work and resilience. The exhibit is included with regular AMP admission. Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm. Part of AMP’s year-long celebration of America250.

History After Hours
INUNDATED: Connecticut’s Great Flood of 1955
Friday, August 7 | 5-7pm
Documentary and Talk with Hamish Lutris

Learn about the devastating 1955 flood and its profound impact on workers, industries, and communities in the northwest corner of Connecticut. The program features a documentary film screening and talk by historian Hamish Lutris. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to view the related exhibition. Admission is $20 in advance; $25 at door. Student admission is $10. Part of AMP’s year-long celebration of America250.

THE BIG OL’ FAMILY ARTY PARTY
Saturday, August 8
11am-4:30 pm

Join AMP for a varied and fun day of all-ages, interactive art-making including song, dance, sticker making, collage art, and a special community art project. It wouldn’t be a Big Ol’ Arty Party without you!

11am: Live Music & Movement Story Time with AMP’s literacy favorite, Michelle Begley

12pm: Explore AMP and our mega-mural with a scavenger hunt, tours, games, and more!

1pm: Custom sticker-making with teaching artist Alana Ladson! Kids use their own doodles to design stickers for themselves, friends or family members! After, participants can also use their stickers on a collage project led by AMP’s teaching artist Sophia O.

2:30pm: Help design our Able Table! You may ask, “What is an Able Table?” Great question! An Able Table is is a custom-built picnic table that ensures accessibility for everyone, allowing individuals using wheelchairs, strollers, or those needing additional seating accommodations a chance to join in the fun. Using Winsted landmarks as our theme, the community will help design and paint an Able Table that can be enjoyed by one and all at Rowley Field—a gift from AMP to the Town of Winsted.

FREE admission for families! Advance registration recommended via AMP’s website. AMP’s Family Days are supported by the generosity of the Comis Foundation and Torrington Savings Bank.

Friday, August 28 from 5pm to 7pm
HAPPY HOUR PIANO SERIES:
PAULA BRADLEY

Who doesn’t need to unwind after the grind? AMP’s popular Happy Hour Piano Series on the fourth Friday of the month eases you into the weekend with live piano music and libations in Connecticut’s most unique art space.

A West Virginia-born multi-instrumentalist residing in the Berkshires, Paula has been involved in roots music for decades. Known for her strong, spirited vocals, she has toured (on banjo) with old-time darlings “Uncle Earl”; with old-time powerhouse Bruce Molsky (on guitar and banjo uke); and recorded and toured with Tony Trischka (piano, guitar) and Bruce as part of the acoustic roots trio “Jawbone”. She was also a founding member of the popular New England honkytonk combo (on piano) “Girl Howdy,” and with her late husband, Bill Dillof, “Moonshine Holler.” Currently, she also leads her own popular juke joint swing combo “Miss Paula & The Twangbusters” which features her ivory ticklin’, mixing blues, boogie and swing into the band’s potent honky tonk musical cocktail.

Tickets are $8 and can be reserved in advance at americanmuralproject.org/piano-series. The Happy Hour Piano Series is supported in part by the Greenberg family.

August 2026
WORKS FOR ME! Free AMP
Admission for First Responders

Through its giant five-story, 120-foot long mural and its accompanying audio tour (available in English and Spanish), AMP tells the story of the everyday American worker. Each month in 2026, this one-of-a-kind exhibit will be offering free admission to honor a different sector of workers who make our communities thrive. AMP’s WORKS FOR ME! free admission will be extended to teachers and educators pre-K through post-grad including principals, superintendents, paras, administrators, and other school employees throughout the entire month of August 2026.

AMP is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm. Guests attending with workers who are receiving their respective month’s WORKS FOR ME Free Admission are $15; $12 for seniors and veterans; $5 for students; free for children under 5 or over the age of 100. The English and Spanish language audio tours are included with admission.

Don’t miss

• Fairfield Theatre Company Weekly Round up: 3 shows announced, including Adam Ezra Group
• Maddy Kelly and Rachel Feinstein to perform at New York Comedy Club Stamford
• Connecticut Pizza and Brew Fest returns to Bridgeport on August 2

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

Echo Asia Festival is coming to South Glastonbury on August 8–9! Enjoy authentic Chinese & Japanese food, Asian desserts, live music, free karaoke, family-friendly games, and one FREE ice cream for every registered guest. Admission is FREE with advance Eventbrite registration. Reserve your free tickets today!

July events at Fairfield Theatre Company
7/30 – David Cook

Click here for more information & order tickets.

Connecticut Merch

Finding Connecticut’s patriotic merch celebrates state pride and American spirit, just in time for the lead-up to America 250. Featuring classic red, white, and blue style, the collection is a nod to where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As the nation prepares to mark 250 years in 2026, these pieces are an easy way to show pride in both Connecticut and the broader American story—past, present, and future.

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Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

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American Mural Project announces August event lineup