American Mural Project: Open and Ready for You
Photo by Peter Brown

American Mural Project: Open and Ready for You

Many of us drive through Winsted, Conn., and think about all the interesting things that could be done with the empty former industrial and mill spaces in the center of town.

Some have been converted over the years into apartments and artist studios. Ellen Griesedieck of Sharon, Conn., went one step further and turned a former mill into an art project in and of itself.

A massive space requires a big idea and a lot of time. Such was the case with Griesedieck’s ambitious American Mural Project, which was first conceived in 1999 and has just been completed.

The setting is perfect for the American Mural Project, which is a tribute to American workers. The work began with the grooming of the site itself, including a cleanup of the property with a federal Brownfields grant. The state of Connecticut contributed as well, helping Griesedieck and her team pay for the cost of renovations that included raising the building’s roof 30 feet, to make room for the mural, which extends up five stories.

The mural was a true community effort, not just thanks to the government grants but also with art work contributed to school children from across the country, who were invited to visit and participate in the mural.

Griesedieck describes the mural as “a vivid compilation of three-dimensional sculptural vignettes portraying Americans at work—from heart surgeons to steel workers, firefighters to farmers, school teachers to fabricators of a 747 aircraft, and more. Constructed with unconventional materials including honeycomb aluminum panels, blown glass, clay, reclaimed wood, native indigo, and spackle, the mural offers an optical journey and sensory adventure through the past 100 years of work in America.”

The completed American Mural Project can now be seen at 90 Whiting St. in Winsted every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and veterans, $5 for students, and free for children 5 and younger. There is also a $25 unlimited access pass, for use during open hours in 2022. Tickets and passes can be purchased at www.americanmuralproject.org or in person.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cabaret comes to St. Andrew's in Kent

George Potts

Photo provided

Music in the Nave will again tap into local talent April 6 at 7 p.m. when its features George Potts in an intimate cabaret concert in the St. Andrew’s Church parish house.

Pott is a well-known figure in the community, both through his presence in the perennially popular Fife ‘n Drum, the restaurant started by his father-in-law, renowned pianist Dolph Trayman, and through his own career as a folk musician.

Keep ReadingShow less