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6.1C 2, SJ PG ARTICLES IN TH~7 continued . The offerings change every other month. Populus holds a public reception to showcase the new work from 7 to 9 p.m, on the third Thursday of every month at 55 S. First St. That's the same night when a variety of other downtown art venues -- MACLA, Works, the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, the NewSkool gallelY, the Circle-A Gallery and the Cafe Matisse's XPO gallery -- stay open a bit later than usual (until 8 p.m.). In fairness to the redevelopment agency, it was officials there who first solicited ideas for ways to enliven the downtown that led to the Phantom Galleries, one of 10 programs Populus runs, from con- certs to art markets. The other members of the group, coordinated by the San Jose Downtown Association, are Giant Creative Services, Labadie Productions, Filco Events, Prime Time Entertainment and GalY Walker Productions. Eder says the fact that the program wasn't designed to make any money nearly sank it with some fel- low Populus members, But, while no one is making any money from the retail space, at least people are coming to look at it, and downtown is that much less desolate as it waits for the hordes to fill the burgeoning apartments popping up evelywhere like mushrooms. Eder and Lakey even have received a query from a downtown group in St Paul, Minn., whose organ- izers saw the program on the Web and were looking for help to launch a similar effort. Lakey says Two Fish is thinking about putting together a kit to help other places create Phantom Galleries of their own. "For the artists, this is social activism," Eder says, And with characteristic contrary optimism, he adds that, as the Phantom Galleries demonstrate, the downturn in the economy can be as much opportunity as obstacle, if you have the right mindset. "These are good times,lI Eder says. "When the economy is good, it's just about who has the deep pockets. Right now, it's all about ideas," To learn more about participating in the Phantom Galleries, visit www.populuspresents.com . The Phantom Galleries 25 W. San Fernando; Wire sculpture by Francisco Graciano 17 W. San Fernando: Circuit board art by Adriana Varella 23 W. San Fernando: Story boxes from found objects, by Veronique R. Brown 99 S, First: Funky jazzy pop alt paintings by Sonya Paz; dioramas by Jessie Rose Vala; work by partici- pants in the Metro-sponsored Lomo contest 97 S. First: "Paintings for the Goddess Within You" by Julie Valentine 95 S. First: Watercolor and mixed media by Jen Norton 80 S. First: "Susie's Supermart" by Susan O'Malley 76 S. First: "Infested" by Chris Eckert (view after dark); "Larvae'l by Karen Carlo Salinger 70 S. First: Work by members of the Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild; "Cultivation" by Eric Otto; "Hat Trick" by Carol Worthington Levy; "Girl/Woman/Girl" by Ellie Brown 27 S, First: Work by the Bay Area Photographers Alliance Artist receptions with light refreshments and entertainment are 7-9 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at 55 S. First.