By Mary Alice Murphy

Callie Kennington, new, really new, Silver City Arts and Cultural District director, arrived in Silver City on Friday, Feb. 5, attended Chocolate Fantasia on Saturday, Feb. 6, and started work on Monday, Feb. 8.

She comes from just outside Indianapolis, Ind.

How did she find out about the position?

"I was referred to the posting by Teresa Martinez of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition," Kennington said. "I ended up applying. I interviewed over Skype last October. I was contacted again in December and interviewed in late December or early January over Skype again.

"I had researched the town," she said. "It seemed like a good fit. I have already seen how friendly and supportive the town is. Lee (Gruber, SCACD board president) has been great. She helped me find a place to live."

Kennington said her background fits into the directorship and Silver City.

"I went to Art School for 1-+ years, then I switched to International Studies," she said. "I studied in the UK and in Germany. Arts and culture have always been a big focus in my life. After I received my Bachelor's, I pursued a Master's in environmental sustainability at the University of Edinburg in Scotland."

She described environmental sustainability as cultural ecosystem servicesG