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A m e r i c a n M u r a l P r o j e c t
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May 2009
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We are already headed for Memorial Day, and the month has been loaded with action on the mural project, with two open-mill days in Winsted, a National Board meeting in the mural building, and a terrific reception from the GFWC/Ct at their May Convention in Waterbury this past Saturday.
In a time when everyone is working hard to find reasons for optimism, our National Board and our Campaign and Development Committees are more dedicated than ever, response to our membership drive is incredible, and the amazing women of the Connecticut Women's Clubs are determined to help us get into the renovated mill.
A great summer of AMPed Up action is ahead.
Sincerely,
Ellen Griesedieck
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 Pennies for Peace Project
Great news! We've formed a partnership and scheduled a new event with Greg Mortensen and his Pennies for Peace Foundation. This is a huge thrill for us. In his tireless efforts to build schools and create educational opportunities for children in Central Asia, Greg epitomizes the ideals AMP honors in each collaborative project with our Advisors.
AMP has been invited to participate in the Pennies for Peace concert at Red Rocks, Colorado, on September 20th. For this day-long event, which will initiate our Links Project, we will bring one of the new giant links out west. Greg and his daughter will be the first to work on it; by the end of the day, it should be covered with people's signatures and drawings. Eventually, over 100 links created by different communities across the country will be joined together and included in the mural.
If you want to know more about Greg, his book, Three Cups of Tea, makes for some pretty incredible reading.
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 Habitat for Humanity Project
In 2008, AMP began work on a tribute to Habitat for Humanity as part of the mural. Volunteers on Habitat projects around the world are sending us scraps from the projects, out of which Ellen will create a 17-by-10-by-3-foot representation of a gable under construction for the far right side of the mural. So far, we've received pieces from the Carter Work Project in Biloxi, Mississippi, on which Ellen volunteered, as well as projects in Lime Rock, Connecticut, and Holden, Massachusetts. Some volunteers also signed their scraps and put statistics about the need for low-income housing on them. So check the website for pictures of the latest bricks, tiles, and chunks of wood we receive. (A granite block, at this moment, is on its way from Argentina...)
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 AMP Supporters
Connecticut Light & Power has been a supporter of AMP since they awarded a capital grant in 2007 to help with the restoration of the mill. CL&P also just donated 200 energy efficient light bulbs to our first annual members' reception. This thank you gift to members is sure to keep everyone "AMPed Up!"
Thanks CL&P!
There are many ways that companies support our efforts. The First National Bank of Litchfield wanted to help us get the word out about AMP, so they underwrote the cost of AMP tote bags. Similar to the recycled bags you use in stores, these bags are good for the earth, and good for PR. Just be ready to be asked about the brush stroke on your bag!
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 Studio News
Ellen is determined to get some
painting done! Last week in the
Sharon studio, she bolted together
the 14' Boeing piece, which will
eventually be placed in the upper
left side of the mural. After much
measuring and maneuvering, the
piece seems a perfect fit.
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 Membership Campaign
Our member list has grown to 210 members! AMP's membership dollars help to introduce the mural and
its spirit of collaboration, community, and ingenuity to hundreds of school kids. At the same time, we've
crossed the halfway mark in our fundraising goal, with
over $2.7M raised.
After 10 years of dreaming about it, we are about to renovate the mill building and begin the mural's installation. Our fundraising is vital to these plans. We need you, once again,
to AMP up.
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The
American Mural Project is a three-dimensional painting so large that
a
special building is being created for it. It is a celebration of
American ingenuity
and commitment to work. The Project seeks to
inspire, to invite collaboration,
and to reveal to people of all ages
the many contributions they can make to
American culture. It is
intended as a tribute and a challenge.
Board of Directors: Barbara Douglass, Frank Finch, Rosita Forte-Dobson,
Jim Garfield, Ellen Griesedieck, Joe Griesedieck, William Harding, Susan Lane,
Thad Meyerriecks, Gayle Moraski, Sam Posey, Laurie Roy,
JoAnn Ryan, Rosellen Schnurr, David Stack, John Whitman
Founding Board: Huyler Held, Ivan Kronenfeld, Paul Newman,
Mehmet Oz, Peter Philip, Ileene Smith Sobel, Frank Stella
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