The first thing that I used to notice about the Phoenix Art Museum was its beautiful, modern facility, including the sunburst chandelier hanging in the entrance, and the museum's beautiful grounds, some of it landscaped with local cacti. In the past, I have enjoyed a variety of temporary exhibits here, including an Ansel Adams photography exhibit and one showcasing the quirky art of yixing teapots. If you like contemporary art, then you will love what the Phoenix Art Museum has to offer. Historic and more traditional artwork is featured on one of the museum's upper floors. In fact, this is where I first encountered my now favorite Southwestern landscape painting, "Sweeping Clouds," by local artist Ed Mell. The museum's gift store has an outstanding selection of gifts, many of them bearing relation to the artwork on exhibit in the museum. I just wish they sold a poster copy of Ed Mell's famous Southwestern landscape. If I have one suggestion for improvement, I would like to see an expansion of Western American art, including landscapes, at the museum. What is currently on display is very good, but I just feel there should be even more Western American representation here. At any rate, this is a wonderful art museum, and with it being located in such close proximity to the Heard Museum, it would be easy to make a cultural day out of visiting them both. Definitely worth the visit.