Such a big fuss is made over the large exhibits that come to the Portland Art Museum, but I rarely hear a whisper about some of the smaller exhibits that inhabit the space. The last time I was there I took my family away from the bustle of the unwieldy crowd and we found ourselves in a hall all alone filled with Mysterious Spirits, Strange Beasts, Earthly Delights . As we strolled the hall in silence I was awed by the detail of each piece. Being able to view the collection without half the city of Portland elbowing for a better look made me appreciate it more than the Egypt exhibit we had gone to see.

This exhibit and several other special exhibits are closing in the next couple of months. So before the next big show moves in and the smaller collections move out you might want to take some time to explore the museum for what it should be, a place to be inspired.