Updated by Sarah Carpenter-Peck
One of the enduring and endearing things we love about our city is its curation of mini sidewalk galleries and installations for passersby to simply appreciate and enjoy.
In addition to the ubiquitous little free book libraries, you’ll find fun and funky art galleries, toy exchanges and interactive displays, all to be enjoyed from the sidewalk. Even better, several of these were created and are maintained by kids!
Pro tip: Use the handy map online co-created by the curators of PDX Dinorama and PDX Flag (pictured above) to explore galleries, installations and exchanges across the quadrants. Type in the name of the display you want to visit and it will pop up on the map. Check it out here!
Dioramas
These curated mini exhibits feature handmade art, backgrounds and even dinos. Find them on the Sidewalk Joy map here.
- The PDX Dinorama + Dino Exchange, pictured above (in SE)
- 79th Street Diorama (in SE)
- The Canted Spruce (in NE)
- The Lantern Diorama (in SE)
Galleries
Art in miniature. There’s poetry, ceramics, paintings and wood cars. Find them on the Sidewalk Joy map here.
- Poetry Pottery Box (in SE)
- PDX Flag (in SE)
- Morrison Street Mini Gallery (in SE)
- Free Little Art Gallery PDX (in SE)
- The Car Library, pictured above (in NE)
Interactive
Play mini golf, grab a stick or ball to play fetch with your pup, feed chickens and take some milkweed seeds. Find them on the Sidewalk Joy map here.
- Twin Pines Country Club, pictured above (in SE)
- Lucky Dog Library (in SE)
- Super Awesome Prizes (in NE)
Exchanges
Take one, leave one. That’s the model behind these cute sidewalk exchanges, including minifigs, toys and VHS tapes. Find them on the Sidewalk Joy map here.
- PDX Minifig Exchange (in SE)
- Tiny Creature Swap (in NE)
- Tiny Toy Trade (in NE)
- Toy Library (in NE)
- Vinko’s Art-o-Rama, pictured above (in SE)
- Friend Swap (in NE)
- Be Kind VHS Swap (in SE)
- NEW: Gas Pump Car Swap at NE 52nd and Siskiyou
Displays
Explore whimsical and creative displays, made from recycled metals, wood and more. For spooky fans, there’s also skeletons! Find them on the Sidewalk Joy map here.
- Skelekrewe, pictured above (in SE)
- Post Mabone (in SE)
- Mt. Tabor Creations (in SE)
- Robot Alley (in N)
Seed Stations
Grow your garden or share new species with your neighbors — including PNW native varietals! Find them on the Sidewalk Joy map here.
- Milkweed Seed Station, pictured above (in NE)
- Woodstock Native Seed Exchange (in SE)
- North Tabor Dirt Cheep Seeds (in NE)
- Little Free Seed Library (in NE)