one of the earliest conspirators for Mexican Independence. In 1863, the convent was closed and the complex was converted to secular use. It served as military barracks, a school for teachers, as the home of the National University, the print shop of the government news agency and as the archive of the Secretary of Finance. In 1989, the convent was rededicated as the Ex-Santa Teresa Alternative Art Center, specializing in performance art as well as static pieces. A non-profit organization dedicated to collecting alternative art was founded in 1993 here. Building's notable features The facade inclines noticeably backwards, which is due to the uneven sinking of the building into the soft soil underneath Mexico City, and is divided by buttresses. The convent has two identical Baroque portals. Both the first and second stories appear to be adorned with Solomonic columns, but the columns on the second floor are really smooth helixes. The window frame facing the street is profusely decorated and includes anagrams of the names of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and Saint Joachim. The exterior contains sixteen Corinthian columns and there is a dome with stained-glass windows. Murals After the building was repaired from an 1845 earthquake, its wall murals were repainted by Juan Cordero. The walls contain paintings named "The Christ of Saint Theresa," and "Saint Matthew." The cupola dome interior's mural, above the stained-glass windows, was painted by Juan Cordero with an image of "God, the Father" surrounded by images representing virtues. See also List of colonial churches in Mexico City References Museums in Mexico City Arts in Mexico City Contemporary art galleries in Mexico Roman Catholic churches in Mexico City Historic center of Mexico City Murals in Mexico 19th-century murals Roman Catholic churches completed in 1616 1616 establishments in New Spain 1863 disestablishments in Mexico Art museums established in 1989 1989 establishments in Mexico Catholic Church in Mexico Spanish Colonial architecture in Mexico 17th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Mexico