In addition to being a world-renowned musician, Herb Alpert has spent more than half his life as a respected abstract expressionist painter and sculptor. Always personal and expressive, Alpert’s sculptures draw interest with their freedom of form. His first totems were inspired by indigenous sculptural forms from the Pacific Northwest, but his Spirit Totems series, with their massive form, became more gestural.
These large, improvisational totems include many animal and bird-like forms. Walking among these giants is awe-inspiring. Twelve will be displayed outdoors on the Museum’s Sculpture Trail, along with a soundscape featuring Herb Alpert’s music.
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Staff Picks
Through May 10, 2026Curating this exhibit has been an exercise in collaboration, which is one of our core values at the Museum. We began by asking each staff member to make a short list of some of their favorite works in the collection. Then, the curatorial team took them to see a few of those pieces. We asked the staff to look for artworks that were not already on display and would not be part of any upcoming exhibitions. A person’s taste in art is so uniquely personal and individual to who they are. This exhibition is not only an opportunity for you to get to know our staff, but it is also a chance to discover new pieces in the permanent collection—or perhaps to see old favorites in a new light.
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Two of a Kind?
Through April 26, 2026This exhibition is an exercise in comparison. It invites visitors to consider pairs of artworks, drawn primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection, and contemplate the question posed by its title: are these artworks truly Two of a Kind?
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