Opportunities for the city of Vicksburg are expanding.

Plans are in the works for an international art museum and an open market Antique Mall has already opened its doors to the public.

The Mississippi Commission for International Cultural Exchange, which previously organized four international exhibitions in Jackson, is working to bring a permanent museum focusing on international art to downtown Vicksburg.

Mayor George Flaggs said the museum would be, “A game changer in tourism because it would be the first and only international museum in the state of Mississippi.”

The Mississippi International Arts Pavilion will feature approximately 20,000 square feet of gallery space and be built on land adjacent to the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Jack Kyle, who serves as the executive director of MSIAP said the museum would house the approximately $15 million of artwork that the MSIPA already owns from the four international exhibitions, in addition to an exhibition hall where two planned international exhibitions would be scheduled each year. There will be 10 galleries, five of which will be period room installations. There are also plans for a grand rotunda that could be used to host receptions for up to 1,000 people and a 300-seat auditorium on the lower level for concerts, films and lectures.

The Open Market Antique Mall, which is located in the old Coca-Cola facility on Washington Street, has recently opened. Owned by Stuart and Nan Green, The Open Market will feature vendors selling antiques, original art and more. The mall currently has room for 110 vendors, but there is space to add about 125 additional stalls. Vendors already in place are selling furniture, antique duck decoys and more. Stuart Green said they expect to be full in just a couple months and already have more vendors planning to move in.

“I think it will be a place people enjoy shopping and hanging out,” Stuart Green said.

More positives happening in Vicksburg:

• On Thursday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen cleared the way for officials with The Sports Force to begin the design of the proposed sports complex at Fisher Ferry Road.

“It’s a great day for Vicksburg,” Flaggs said after the vote.