Literary Arts has recently purchased a new building in Southeast Portland that is set to open in the fall of this year. It is located at 716 SE Grand Ave. and is being designed to offer both a library and a cafe. O’Neill Construction Group with Project Manager Jill Sherman, from Edlen & Co, are contracting this new installment. Along with these amenities, Literary Arts will also utilize the additional space to host events, classes, and more.
Literary Arts is a nonprofit organization that focuses on engaging, supporting, and inspiring writers and readers in Portland. They specifically work to support youth in Portland through programs like Writers in the Schools. This program brings local writers into high school classrooms in the Portland and Gresham area to encourage creative writing and self expression. Literary Arts also hosts the yearly youth poetry slam: Verselandia.
Literary Arts was able to purchase this building through the numerous grants and donations they’ve received, allowing the nonprofit to buy the building with no debt taken upon themselves. This gives them the opportunity to put more money into other projects, from hosting various writing classes to offering more social events, like author talks and guest readings.
As Literary Arts grows, the organization is hoping to hear from the community to help guide their expansion in ways that will benefit everybody. Jyoti Roy, the director of marketing and communications at Literary Arts, explains, “Since storytelling in all its forms [is] important to us, we are excited to hear from the community ways in which we can create spaces with the type of events and classes they want.”
Along with being used as office space by Literary Arts staff, in order to expand their program to be more inclusive to the public, the new building will simultaneously be open to everyone in the community. Roy explains the versatility of the space, stating, “[It will have] a space for [anyone] to come and take classes, read a book, meet with friends, or work on the next great American novel!”
As Literary Arts will be closing down their previous building located in Southwest Portland, this new building will be their only permanent location. However, they will still expand their work to other places as Literary Arts continues to host events at local high schools, the Portland Art Museum, the Arlene Schnitzer Hall, and more. Even as they host events at other locations, moving into this new building will allow Literary Arts to work closely with the local community of Southeast Portland. Roy adds, however, that there may be a possibility for more expansions in the future as “working … around the city and the state is important to [Literary Arts].” Literary Arts’ new building will provide a space to learn, teach, and enjoy literature, and, with their new facility, they’re welcoming anybody in with open arms. To learn more, visit their website literary-arts.org.
