Blending Bach and social responsibility has been a lifelong goal of cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
How fitting, then, that the critically acclaimed musician is represented in the most recent art installment at the American Mural Project (AMP) in Winsted, Conn., the world’s largest indoor collaborative artwork whose very foundation is built on community engagement.
Ma, along with more than 100 composers, vocalists and instrumentalists, is featured on a larger-than-life, 18-foot piano made from a sheet of aluminum, which was recently hoisted 48 feet high and attached to a section of the 120-foot-long mural.
The mural, which represents American workers and was launched by Sharon, Conn., resident Ellen Griesedieck in 2002, is housed in a historic mill building in Winsted. The project is expected to be completed in two years.
The piano piece, four years in the making, said Griesedieck, pays tribute to American music. “It has been resting on my studio floor while other projects move into place on the mural,” she said.
“In fact, we disassembled and moved hundreds of aluminum panels out of my studio these past three years while walking over the blanketed piano.”
In keeping with the concept of collaboration that is at the heart of AMP, the artist said she contacted music artists representing every genre of American music and asked them for their favorite score to include on the piano.
“I further complicated this by deciding how beautiful the surface would be if I burned stencils of the artists’ names and scores and then transferred them onto the aluminum with metal paints and patinas,” a process that turned out, she said, to be extremely time-consuming. But once the artist started, there was no stopping, especially as the overlapping scores began to yield a visually stunning pattern.
Another challenge Griesedieck faced was selecting from a list of “thousands and thousands of gifted musicians who live and work in this country” the 118 artists to be featured on AMP’s piano. The final selection reads like a Who’s Who of American Music — with numerous Tri-state region musicians represented.
Griesedieck said that over the summer AMP hosted a few small concerts by Paul Winter, Theresa Thomason and Joel Martin.
“We discovered that the acoustics in our giant space are phenomenal,” she said. As a result, the next chapter of AMP will be “opening our space for regular music events.”
With each piece of artwork installed, Griesedieck explained, the acoustics in the cavernous space improve. The effect of music when it reverberates off the surrounding mural, she said, “pops it back at you” with a rich sound. Referring to the idea to host concerts at AMP, “We didn’t plan for it. We really have been given a gift.”
Although AMP is not currently open to the public, visitors will have an opportunity to get a sneak peek at the latest installations during Open Mill Days on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6.
Tours will be offered at 1 p.m. each day, lasting about 45 minutes, at AMP’s location, 90 Whiting St., Winsted. Pre-registration is required for the tours (no walk-ins), which are limited to 16 visitors, by calling 860-379-3006. A minimum suggested donation of $10 is encouraged at the time of registration.
The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) will host its annual Junior Jump Camp, a two-day introduction to ski jumping, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Satre Hill in Salisbury.
The camp is open to children ages 7 and up and focuses on teaching the basics of ski jumping, with an emphasis on safety, balance and control, using SWSA’s smallest hill. No prior experience is required.
The cost is $50 per child and includes instruction and lunch on both days. For more information or to register, visit www.skireg.com/swsa-camp or email info@jumpfest.org
Jesse Bunce, first selectman of North Canaan.
LITCHFIELD — The Northwest Hills Council of Governments welcomed six newly elected municipal leaders Thursday, Dec. 11, at its first meeting following the 2025 municipal elections.
The council — a regional planning body representing 21 towns in northwest Connecticut — coordinates transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development and other shared municipal services.
Barkhamsted First Selectman Meaghan Cook, Goshen First Selectman Seth Breakell, Kent First Selectman Eric Epstein, Norfolk First Selectman Henry Tirrell, North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce and Torrington Mayor Molly Spino were each elected to their post in November.
They filled the seats of their predecessors on the COG, who were each given a toast of appreciation: Nick Lukiwsky (Barkhamsted), Todd Carusillo (Goshen), Marty Lindenmeyer (Kent), Matt Riiska (Norfolk), Brian Ohler (North Canaan) and Elinor Carbone (Torrington).
COG Executive Director Rob Phillips said the outgoing members were given a going away mug that read “You’re living the dream still.” Members voted to appoint Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava to fill a vacancy on the Council’s Executive Committee. COG members voted by paper ballot, and LaCava defeated Burlington First Selectman Doug Thompson for the vacant seat.
Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.
HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.
By halftime the score was 33-8. Junior varsity players subbed in for the second half, but not before the starters got some in-game dunk practice. By the end Housatonic totaled 60 points to Pine Plains’ 22.
Nick Crodelle dribbles the ball up the court during the game.By Riley Klein
Nick Crodelle led the Mountaineers offensively with 13 points. Anthony Labbadia and Wyatt Bayer scored nine points each. Anthony Foley scored eight points. Owen Riemer and Ryan Segalla each scored seven points. Peyton Bushnell hit a three-pointer. Jaxon Visockis and Henry Berry each scored two points.
HVRHS begins Berkshire League competition on the road at Nonnewaug High School Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a 6 p.m. tip off.
Anthony Labbadia By Riley Klein
Owen Riemer block By Riley Klein
Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci
KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.
Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.
“This is always so gratifying,” said Goodsell, noting that certain businesses, including High Watch Recovery Center, Wilson’s, and Kent and South Kent schools needed a “shout out” for all they’ve done. She said South Kent School focuses on gifts for older children, which is a group that often is overlooked.
Unwrapped contributions are sought for children 1 to 15 years old who might otherwise find little or nothing from Santa, they said. The bounty will be set up at the Community House on Thursday, allowing parents to come and take what they want. If there are still items left, grandparents are invited to “shop.”
The atmosphere was festive Saturday, as a stuffed dog began barking a Christmas tune whenever someone walked in front of it. A large decked-out bear posted at the parking lot entrance reminded passersby of the event. Visiting children were able to get a close-up look at the fire truck and walk through the firehouse if they wished.
Goodsell and Iannucci were very grateful to those who donated wood for the fire pit. “And so many asked if they could bring us coffee or hot chocolate,” said Iannucci.
Goodsell said many who came talked about having grown children who were recipients of the gifts when their families were struggling. “They are so glad to be able to give back,” she said.
