art
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH ART
SILVERTON POWERHOUSE Words by Erin Phillips | Photos courtesy of Silverton Powerhouse
I
n 1907, a local newspaper published a major
epic heli-skiing or lining up for the Hardrock
article touting the golden age of hydroelectric
100 Endurance Run doesn’t negate the housing,
energy that was being sourced from the
So, one of the main goals of the Silverton
to a network of mines throughout the San Juan
Powerhouse is to increase and diversify the
Mountains. While today the building located
economic opportunity of this town year-round.
just a mile east of Silverton is no longer used for
“Rather than always giving and sharing with
its original intended purpose, a new source of
visitors, we need to have something for ourselves
power and resilience is being tapped from this
too — something to build our community
remote mountain landscape through harnessing
stronger,” says Chase.
the creativity and collaboration of the people who inhabit it.
34
security and career obstacles locals face.
Animas River Powerhouse and spreading out
Events and workshops hosted by the Powerhouse bring a whole diverse group of the
When the surrounding mines closed in the
population in. The three-story brick building
1990s, the powerhouse was abandoned and
itself is hugely inspiring. It has massive windows
turned over to the Silverton Historical Society.
that open to mountain views from every vantage
It went up for rent at the end of 2021, and by
point. “People who have lived here their whole
February of 2022, four local artists — Hannah
lives are saying, ‘Wow I’ve never been in here!
Green, Anne Chase, Julian Hood and Hillary
This is so cool!’” shares Chase.
Cable — signed the lease. They shared a vision to
The town itself can be quiet, isolating and
create a lively and thriving space that enhances
polarized. There are only three restaurants in
the community’s well-being through engagement
town, and people often go either to the liberal or
and collaborative creativity.
conservative brewery and pizza place. Although
Silverton, with a population of about 600,
Ridgway and Durango are geographically quite
is a mining town turned tourist attraction. But
close, the mountains separate them. The Silverton
