We hope your summer is going just swell. And it's already, like, one month ‘til Burning Man o'clock. Where DOES the time go?
We've got so much to report on!
Event Recap
We admit it: we were all a bit (buttholes clenched) about the event this year after last year's little SNAFU. But WOWOWOWOW, we did it! And how.
Reports from both crusty Apo veterans and fresh faced baby Burners alike shared the same sentiment: This was one of our favorite burns yet — fire ban, be damned.
“Mythos & Mechanica was wonderful! It reminded me that Apogaea isn't defined by perfect conditions — it's defined by its people and its volunteers.
This year, our volunteers, artists, theme camps, and participants met every challenge with creativity, resilience, and an incredible amount of heart. Thank you for believing in us, for showing up for one another, and for co-creating something so special this year!”
—Docta Cee aka Mindy the Milk Carton Kid, Apogaea President
In total, CATS granted $64,632 to artists for our 2026 event. We had a really wide variety of art this year, from breathing animatronics to mothers, maidens + crones (and a witch for good measure!).
After finding out about the last minute fire restrictions, CATS put $2185 towards procuring LED lighting for granted fire artists to alternatively/light up their pieces and for UV reactive flow toys for our effigy krewe so they could put on a modified — yet still wildly creative and exciting! — performance for us. Aerialists dangled from the effigy, as dancers spun props of all kinds below, everyone bathed in dramatic blacklight glow.
“When news of a possible burn ban broke we were a bit disheartened, this was our second attempt to present our fire show in two years. Some even lost hope that we could put on a show at all… we wondered, who would come to a no-burn effigy burn?
However, in true burner fashion, we picked ourselves up by the bootstraps and forged ahead. Our original theme was “Disco Dystopia” [2025] so it felt natural to pivot to a UV toxic wasteland disco party instead.
“With the help of the Apogaea board and CATS we added UV reactive costumes, props and lights to the show and something completely new was born out of perseverance and creativity. We were overwhelmed and overjoyed by the crowd and that everyone came out to see our effigy show even without fire. We really felt the love and appreciation from the community.”
What does your local art grant committee do when we're not funding Apogaea art? So glad you asked.
CATS is giving out nine $500 art teacher micro grants to local teachers.
With $3500, we will be supplying 2000 students with new art supplies for the school year. YAY ART!
The supplies requested by our teacher recipients are quite diverse and include filament for a geometry teacher (!!) who has their students “design and create mini 3D parade balloons, using 3D modeling to design in CAD software + 3D print mini versions,” Chompsaws that are like little power tools for kiddos to (safely!) cut cardboard, props for an afterschool circus program and lots of miscellaneous pencils, markers, paint and ceramics supplies.
Our teacher recipients have reported that, by receiving an art grant from us, they're actually DOUBLING their art supply budget for the school year.
This micro grant money comes directly from our GAYLA fundraising efforts.
“I love teaching art because of how welcoming art classrooms can be. Art-making can help students find agency, and see themselves as participants in visual culture. Having supplies on hand adds to our creative momentum, brings joy to students, and relieves pressure off of me to purchase supplies. I'm so thankful for programs like these that help teachers and students!”
—AliAnn Rushing Attilio, Sheridan High School/SOAR Academy, art teacher micro-grant recipient
Five previously granted Apogaea art pieces to be featured at upcoming Boulder County Fair Aug 5 - 9.
You can find the following art pieces at the fair, so be sure to go + check them out:
“Respite” by Corinne Trujillo, Charlie Gleason, Martin Stenflo, Matt Levitan and Sheena McNeal
“FANTOM PUF” + “Elemental” by Monica Hsu & Torch Mouth
“Infinity” by Ilya Kushnir
“Q-Ball” by Beck Hargrove
W.H.O.O. is spending its summer in Trinidad.
Our temple is currently on loan for the summer at The Commons @ Space to Create in Trinidad, as a friendly gesture of arty appreciation to the small town that hosts our event each year.
... & it's that nearly time again:
CATS will be throwing our 4th Annual GAYLA this December, so stay tuned for save-the-date + new venue announcements.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading + thanks for art-ing. We couldn't do it without you. (And wouldn't want to!)
cheers + meows,
allison cohn
Creative Art Grant Committee (CATS) | Communications Meow
