Pictured is the building with the art exhibit.What does an empty building contain? Endless possibilities and opportunities! That is the attitude of Silver City MainStreet and many community members. With help from property owner Scott Kennedy, Cari Lemon, Grant County Community Health Council Director, and Catherine Harding of Hidalgo Medical Services, an empty building has been transformed into a pop-up gallery.

Art from Within is a subgroup of the Inmate Support Program, which is part of the Southwest New Mexico Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Coalition (CoCC). It supports opportunities for incarcerated and re-integrating individuals to develop their talents, values, and self-worth through creative expression.

Some of the art made through this program is currently being displayed in the windows at 703 N. Bullard St. "It is a great use of the building while it waits to be rented, states Silver City MainStreet director Charmeine Wait. It is wonderful to have a property owner willing to have their building used to display art. Cari Lemon and Catherine Harding are very community minded professionals who also saw the potential of vacant building being used as pop-up galleries. It has been a great collaboration. This is just one of the possibilities for vacant buildings. Other uses could be maker spaces renting for one to three months. We hope this exhibit inspires other property owners to seek creative uses for their buildings."

The mission of Silver City MainStreet is "To encourage a vibrant, historic downtown Silver City which is recognized as the heart of our diverse community." Please visit our website, www.silvercitymainstreet.com to learn more.