Portland Museum of Art – Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Founded in 1882 as The Portland Society of Art, this is the oldest public art institution in the U.S. That said, it's a relatively small and unassuming art museum—more of a boutique museum, really. It's spread over three interconnected, architecturally significant buildings: one modern building designed by I.M. Pei; one Federal-style, three-story mansion built in 1801; and one Beaux-arts style gallery built in 1911. What will we find in the permanent collection? It’s home to pieces from giants like Andy Warhol and Claude Monet, and significant collections of paintings by Wyeth, Homer, and Edward Hopper. There are contemporary exhibits both permanent and ever-changing, international and local. The Museum staff does a nice job blending all of the above in one serene space made up of three buildings. Any rotating exhibits worth checking out? The spacing and lighting is remarkably well done here, with lots of blank space between pieces, and excellent flow from one exhibit to the next. What did you make of the crowd? One of the biggest missions of the Portland Museum of Art is to bring the community in and keep the public educated and excited about art. To that end there are free school tours, films and curator lectures for members, and regular family activities for all. So it's no surprise that the mix of folks here includes little kids, museum neighbors, tourists, serious collectors and art students. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The three buildings and the adjoining sculpture garden are thoughtfully laid out, with benches in every room and well-maintained elevators. Wheelchairs are available for loan, and parking and drop-off spaces are located in the front of the museum. What do they offer for guided tours? Two and a half-hour tours are available from the museum staff, but they must be booked through the Museum in advance, and are extremely detailed. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? More than just the perfunctory mashup of classics on postcards, posters, and magnets (though those are also here), the Museum's store also has a good selection of books on artistic heavyweights, schools of art, and national and regional arts and crafts. Artists like Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer, who figure prominently in the Museum's overall collection, are found in abundance on the shelves' goods. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? Run by Portland's well-known caterer, Black Tie Company, the PMA Café serves up from-scratch pastries and espresso drinks, plus nitro and cold brew every morning. At lunchtime, freshly made sandwiches, soups, and salads on the hearty side go the distance. The museum also partners with local breweries to hold regular tastings and events. Meanwhile, the pastry kitchen likes to get creative with sweets that reflect the Museum's current exhibits, making and peddling Van Gogh-themed cookies one visit, and on another, flower-inspired cupcakes for the 'Art in Bloom' exhibit. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? The Winslow Homer Collection is one of the prides of the Museum, partly because he's a local art hero, and partly because the collection (which includes the likes of "Weatherbeaten" and "Sharpshooter") is stupendous. Big pieces by Impressionists (Renior's "Confidences" and Degas's "The Dancing Lesson," among many others) are also can't misses." - Alexandra Hall