An Early Summer Weekend of Art in Portland

I took a short trip to Portland in early June 2015. The weather was perfect — clear blue skies when I arrived. One of the first stops was just to see the iconic Powell's Books from the outside, with the large metal sculpture standing in front of it on the sidewalk.

The main purpose of the visit, though, was to check out an art fair. It was held in a big, open venue with exposed brick walls and high ceilings. The space was packed with art, primarily sculpture, displayed on tables and pedestals. It felt more like a market than a formal gallery, with lots of artists and visitors mingling.

There was a huge variety of work. I spent most of my time looking at the intricate, textured sculptures. Some were large, freestanding pieces, while others were smaller, framed works mounted on the walls. The place was bustling with people looking closely at the art, and it was interesting to see so many different styles and materials all in one room.