The Art Of Work Gala: A Tribute To The American Worker In Art And Song

At the Art of Work Gala on Saturday, September 17, guests were dwarfed by the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world. The occasion was the annual fundraiser in support of the American Mural Project — both the mural itself and the related educational programs and events. Guests explored the vast mural gallery located in the newly opened mill building in Winsted, Connecticut. The mural, a hybrid of fine art and populism, is a tribute to American workers and reveals the many contributions American workers have made to our culture. A three-dimensional behemoth, the mural is 120 long and five stories high. The building was reconstructed to allow for viewing It from different levels and now makes a natural event space with excellent acoustics. Headlining the evening was a showcase of American music performed by the Chorus Angelicus of Torrington, renowned gospel singer Theresa Thomason, the Miss Milo Band, and instrumentalists. The premiere of “Amplify,” an original anthem by cartoonist, card maker, children’s author, and songwriter Sandra Boynton, filled the space with gratitude and hope — an appreciation of workers’ contributions past, and an acknowledgement of our own endeavors. “We are here to celebrate and support the American Mural Project,” Executive Director Amy Wynn told the guests, adding “It is a gift to the world from Ellen Griesedieck,” the founder and artistic director of the mammoth paean to American workers.