Portland, Oregon
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Portland Book Week https://www.instagram.com/portlandbookweek/ took place this year from June 6 to 15 and was a great opportunity to explore different independent bookstores.
That’s how I ended up visiting Literary Arts https://www.instagram.com/literaryarts/, located at 716 SE Grand Ave, which opened its doors in December 2024 in a spacious building that combines a bookstore, café, and classrooms for writing workshops. I was struck by its vibrant energy—a blend of cultural center and living community.
During my visit, I had the chance to speak with Jyoti Roy (Director of Marketing & Comms), who explained that Literary Arts is far more than just a bookstore. Since 1984, the organization has been deeply committed to Portland’s cultural life, organizing events such as Portland Arts & Lectures, the Oregon Book Awards, Youth Programs (reaching 4,000 students each year), and the Portland Book Festival (since 2005).
Since 1996, they have also led Writers in the Schools, a program where local writers teach creative writing workshops in high schools, fostering a meaningful connection between young people and literature.
Another one of their standout initiatives is The Archive Project, a valuable audio archive that brings together over 30 years of literary talks, available on OPB Radio and as a podcast.
And as if that weren’t enough, they also manage the Ursula K. Le Guin Writers Residency https://www.instagram.com/ursulakleguin/, located in the house the author donated during her lifetime—now transformed into a creative, inclusive space with a strong community focus.
The new Susan Hammer Center has allowed them to establish a physical bookstore with around 12,000 titles, a cozy café where visitors can read and relax, classrooms for workshops, offices, and even a dedicated studio for recording their podcast.
Many thanks not only to Jyoti, but also to Pauline and Frances for their warm welcome and for sharing the story of a place that’s absolutely worth visiting if you’re ever in Portland.
Let’s continue to support independent bookstores.
Contact Literary Arts
A nonprofit literary center in Portland, OR dedicated to engaging readers, supporting writers, & inspiring the next generation with great literature.
716 SE Grand Ave
Portland, Oregon 97214
Website: https://literary-arts.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literaryarts/
Español
La Portland Book Week https://www.instagram.com/portlandbookweek/ se llevó a cabo este año del 6 al 15 de junio y fue una gran oportunidad para explorar distintas librerías independientes.
Así es que llegué a Literary Arts https://www.instagram.com/literaryarts/, ubicada en el 716 SE Grand Ave, que abrió sus puertas en diciembre de 2024 en un edificio amplio que combina librería, cafetería y aulas para talleres de escritura. Me impresionó su energía vibrante, una mezcla de centro cultural y comunidad viva.
Durante mi visita, tuve la oportunidad de conversar con Jyoti Roy (Directora de Marketing y Comunicaciones), quien me explicó que Literary Arts es mucho más que una librería. Desde 1984, la organización ha estado profundamente comprometida con la vida cultural de Portland, organizando eventos como Portland Arts & Lectures, los Oregon Book Awards, programas para jóvenes (que llegan a 4,000 estudiantes cada año) y desde el 2005 el Portland Book Festival.
Desde 1996, también llevan adelante Writers in the Schools, un programa en el que escritores locales dictan talleres de escritura en escuelas secundarias, promoviendo el vínculo entre jóvenes y literatura.
Otro de sus proyectos destacados es The Archive Project, un valioso archivo en audio que reúne más de 30 años de charlas literarias, disponible tanto en OPB Radio como en formato de pódcast.
Y como si eso fuera poco, gestionan la Residencia de Escritores Ursula K. Le Guin https://www.instagram.com/ursulakleguin/, ubicada en la casa que la autora donó en vida, hoy transformada en un espacio creativo, inclusivo y con fuerte anclaje comunitario.
El nuevo Susan Hammer Center les permitió establecer una librería física con alrededor de 12.000 títulos que cuenta además con una cafetería donde los visitantes pueden leer y relajarse, aulas para talleres, oficinas, e incluso un estudio dedicado a la grabación de su pódcast.
Muchas gracias no solo a Jyoti, sino también a Pauline y Frances por su cálida bienvenida y por compartir la historia de un lugar que sin duda vale la pena visitar si alguna vez estás en Portland.
Apoyemos a las librería
Contactar Literary Arts
A nonprofit literary center in Portland, OR dedicated to engaging readers, supporting writers, & inspiring the next generation with great literature.
716 SE Grand Ave
Portland, Oregon 97214
Website: https://literary-arts.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literar
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