Ampersand

This is the best art gallery I’ve ever been to. The owner is a boner. In a good way. His eye as a curator and purveyor of talent is unmatched. The exhibits are delightful and refreshing. You will find all types of gems here and special books published by the most diverse group of artists. I will go back as often as I’m free. Would recommend on Unilocal.Just don’t go all at once because I don’t want it to be crowded.

Went in to the shop to checkout an exhibition and pickup a book published by Ampersand (Christoph Ruckhäberle). Ended up spending 45minutes chatting with the owner about art. He graciously showed me the works in the flat file knowing I wasn’t able to afford the artwork at that time. Refreshing and enthusiastic gallerist, showing great work!

This is a REAL gem of a gallery. I went in to a clean, spacious set of book shelves and tables… elegantly displayed gorgeous photo books, large and small formats and well as pressing, under the intense artwork of German artist Christoph Ruckhäberle.

I went in on a Saturday around 3 and the piece of shit assistant was so arrogant to me when I asked him if he was looking for new artists. He engaged with a threatening tone and told me I wasn’t a potential customer. Worst service ever!!!

Great selection of photo books — I found something here I’ve been looking for for a long time. Wonderful art.
The vintage photos and prints are rather ridiculously priced, though they’re well curated.

Ampersand is a gallery, specialty bookstore, and a retail archive, all in one compact and beautifully displayed retail space. It’s a place of cultural preservation, starting with the plastic sleeves on many of the selections. The books are both old and new, as is the photography (vintage or not and many on the wall as works of art). I like the emphasis on art, design, and photography books, with a few cool travel maps thrown in. This is a good place to start or sustain a collection of books and/​or fine art. Like a lot of other creative initiatives in Portland, there’s nothing quite like Ampersand.

Myles has created a beautiful shop and a wonderfully inspiring space. Please don’t miss it – go pay Ampersand a visit.

I am more impressed with Ampersand on every encounter. Like many Portland businesses, they serve the large interwebs world along with in person visitors like you and I in Portland. For photography books they are a must visit.
They have books, one of a kind vintage photos and drawings for your living space, original books they publish, and new artworks. All at very reasonable prices.
The staff digs what they are doing and are helpful and knowledgable. It’s working, they recently expanded into the adjacent space. For Portland residents and art visitors, Ampersand is well worth a visit.

Anyone interested in photography, old and unusual books and artifacts, and/​or fine design would be remiss in not visiting this one-​of-​a-​kind shop on a regular basis. It is always first on my list when I visit Portland, and it should be high on your list no matter where you live. The proprietor has an amazing eye for the hidden beauty and merit which can sometimes be found in the most mundane places. One of Portland’s hidden treasures.

Something in everything here you gaze through or read is sure to be inspiring.

Ampersand is unlike any other store I’ve ever been in. Though everything is for sale, the room feels more like a well-​curated gallery than a retail shop. It’s kind of an art-lover’s wet dream. I will definitely be back to purchase material/​inspiration for art making. Super nice guy running it too.

Ampersand is the shit.

I love this place. I’m only a layperson where photography is concerned but loved the selection of books here. The owner was extremely attentive, informed, and genuinely inspired to share his knowledge. Also great art pieces and stylish cameras. A true find!

if you are or were ever the type to riffle through big boxes of old-​time-​y b/​w photographs and old postcards at thrift or antique stores, you will absolutely adore this shop. i know i do.
there’s a lot of history in these types of photos, even when you have no idea who the subjects are. most of the photos in the boxes at ampersand are dated, which is so cool! it reminds me of a class project we did in english class way back when… our teacher brought in similarly old discarded snapshots and we had to chose one and write a short story about it. definitely one of the most fun projects i can remember from school!
it’s a small space that seemingly just sprang up from nowhere (i have no recollection of what the space was before ampersand arrived) filled with books on awesomely random topics, always art/​photography related. the owner (i think?) was there and he was really friendly and eager to share cool tidbits about the books, photos and everything else in store!
there will be monthly shows, which gives me reason to keep going back! right now, there are snapshots that they took from their boxes, enlarged in squares like pixels, each one separated by an inch or so. beautiful!
this gallery/​store will definitely spark your creativity, be it in inspiring a collection of old photos to frame and decorate your house with or inspiration for your own photo shoot. you owe it to yourself and the world to be creative! go!