How about a visit to Sudbury's tiniest art gallery?

Blaire Flynn opens the doors of a cabinet installed on the side of a Durham Street building, and picks up a small multicoloured crescent moon sculpted out of plasticine.

“This wasn't here yesterday,” she exclaims.

Since Myths and Mirrors — an arts organization working with marginalized groups — installed the mini art exchange outside their downtown headquarters in November, mysterious appearances of pint-sized art have become commonplace.

People are invited to take a piece of art from one of eight cubbyholes in the cabinet, and replace it with something they've made.

“It's a really interesting thing now that a few weeks have gone by,” said Flynn, Myths and Mirrors' administrative co-ordinator. “It's neat to see that change and what's been in each of the spaces and what's been traded.”

Every day, staffers photograph what's in the mini art exchange, with the eventual goal of producing a coffee table book about the project.

Durham Street seems to be a good place for it, Flynn said, as there's such a diversity of people in the area, from artists with nearby studios to YMCA patrons to customers of nearby restaurants.

This diversity is also reflected in the type of art being exchanged, everything from miniature artwork created by skilled artists to pieces made by children. There's been tiny paintings, textile pieces, buttons and brooches.

You don't even necessarily need to make something to participate, Flynn said, adding that even an interesting rock would make for a good trade.

“It might mean something really special to something else,” she said.

So why a mini art exchange? Flynn said the idea is to facilitate an exchange of creativity and ideas on a small scale. But there's also a less philosophical reason.

“It's a way to add some fun into the downtown,” Flynn said.

The mini art exchange will stay in place “for as long as people are engaging with it,” she said.

Myths and Mirrors' downtown studio is located at 139 Durham St. Learn more at mythsandmirrors.wordpress.com.