The vibrations coming from Peak Radar change our community in creative ways. Peak Radar is a website and the vibrations are web pages. Visit Peakradar.com and you’ll see what I mean. It has always been a place for nonprofits to list activities online for free and now, art education has been added through a tab called “peakartsed”.

Humor me and open the website, peakradar.com, on your device. Click on the peakartsed tab and a page opens where you’ll see a way to filter your search. Enter “Woodland Park” into the keyword field and hit “return.” Immediately, you’ll find a list of art classes that are happening in Woodland Park. The local, talented instructors include Michael Gault, Kent Kerns, Kerri LuBell and Amy Kindler. Other instructors, Kathleen Noble, Chris Alvarez and Hank Maertens will begin programs in the near future because of collaborative efforts with award-winning artist, Michael Gault.

The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region started Peak Radar’s website many years ago. COPPeR is a nonprofit arts agency for El Paso and Teller Counties. The organization is efficient, strategic and passionate about their work. The staff works year-round, often behind the scenes, to ensure that the creative sector thrives and uplifts the entire region’s life and economy. They reach into Teller County with open arms and our only responsibility as community members is to embrace their efforts.

The board of COPPeR includes Michelle Rozell, who works for the city of Cripple Creek as the Director for Heritage Tourism. Michelle has an office at the Heritage Center, which is located at 9283 CO-67. You’ve seen this large building on the right as you begin descending into Cripple Creek from the top of the mountain after driving through Gillett Flats. It has a unique design, imitating old buildings, and an entrance to a mine. The joy of going inside the Heritage Center, besides the beautiful view and seeing staff, is opening the door to a rich mining history.

Angela Seals is the Executive Director of COPPeR. This year she hosts a celebration to kick-off Arts Month on September 30 at Reserve Our Gallery. Send a message to angela@culturaloffice.org to learn more about COPPeR and/or this event. You can also sign up to have a yard sign uniting the arts with community. The link to sign up for a sign is here: https://artsoctober.com/ Yard signs are distributed in Woodland Park through Reserve Our Gallery.

The vibe for Peak Radar began because COPPeR opened its doors. It resonates a positive vibe because COPPeR’s vision supports a thriving community united by creativity. Communities increase Peak Radar’s effectiveness by adding creativity to the mix in their environment. Let’s mix it up in Teller County!

Contact Gayle Gross at iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org or 719-233-9902 if you want your nonprofit to be part of this column or to be part of the Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County. Gayle Gross has worked with nonprofits in the community since 1998. Now, she facilitates SOAR’s Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. – 10:45. The group meets at Reserve Our Gallery or at a nonprofit’s location. Join the group on March 12 at the gallery.