By Mel Strawn An adventurous artist, writer, and builder, Thordis Niela Simonsen was, in the late days of March, finishing the conversion of a small building in downtown Salida to be called the Museum of Authenticity: genuine encounters in art and culture. Small, yes, but I believe this museum to be a substantial addition to this region’s visual arts culture—and opening very soon with an inaugural exhibition, “Sum of the Parts.” A long-time resident of Denver, Thordis discovered the property seven years ago and decided to create a museum within weeks of taking ownership. Both the main building and the ...