An app is many things, including an abbreviation for common words like appetizer and application. These days we usually think of an app as a type of software installed on our phones. We touch the little icon on our screen and off we go to a new world. Did you know there are more than 1.76 million phone apps available? This is challenging for those of us who have a hard time making a decision between more than three items. Well, it does get better since I discovered there is an app for decision-making. The idea of spinning the wheel to decide what’s for lunch is certainly appetizing but there is still one problem. There is more than one decision-making app in the app store. The other solution I’ve come up with is to think about APP as an acronym and leave it at that.

APP, when capitalized, represents Art in Public Places. The Mountain Artists and Cripple Creek Arts Alliance are local arts’ groups who host events in public places throughout the year. The Mountain Artists’ Holiday Art Show happens on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park. Then, Artists Sunday is scheduled for Nov. 26 in the same venue. Artists and musicians from Woodland Park’s Walk for Art are featured during Artists Sunday. These APP events make the weekend after Thanksgiving an opportunity to visit Woodland Park, shop with local artists and explore our Art in Public Places.

The following weekend, Dec. 1–3, APPs are everywhere in Woodland Park with the annual tree lighting, Tweeds Holiday Home Tour, the Winter Art Show at Reserve Our Gallery, the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest at the library, and the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade & Award Ceremony. On Sunday, the annual Swing Factory concert takes place.

The following weekend, APPs are prominent once again in Teller County as Victor decorates downtown and has a holiday parade on Dec. 9. The Gold Camp Craft Fair and annual Christmas Parade kick off in Cripple Creek. The Hotel St. Nicholas hosts an artists’ market with the Arts Alliance, and the Colorado Springs Chorale performs at the Baptist Church. Reserve Our Gallery in Woodland Park also hosts a reception for the Winter Art Show and featured artist, Michael Gault. Then, until Dec. 24, the Gallery showcases holiday gift tables representing local artisans’ work for sale. On Dec. 10, Woodland Park Wind Symphony hosts their annual Christmas Concert at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.

An APP may be something you refer to in a different way than Art in Public Places but our APPs in Teller County are popular, which makes us “appy” and brings a smile to many faces!

Gayle Gross works with nonprofits through SOAR’s Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. at Reserve Our Gallery in Woodland Park. 2023 brings back collaborative fundraising events for nonprofits in the area through coordination of community events with SOAR. Contact Gayle Gross at iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org to be part of a Teller Give Back column. You can also email or call 719-233-9902 to learn more Collaborative Fundraising Events.

Gayle Gross