Conversations with Matthew Litteken

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Litteken.  

Hi Matthew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Our Beginnings 

Ampersand Home (& Gallery) had its beginnings along Fairfield Avenue as simply The Ampersand Gallery, an artisan gallery specializing in hand-crafted works of art, jewelry, functional pottery, and home decor. The gallery operated out of a retail space in the first floor of a turn-of-the-century (20th) Victorian house, which served as a wonderful backdrop for the diverse styles and materials of our artists. We began to collect interesting antique pieces and constructing unique displays in which to showcase the work. The result was a carefully curated, yet eclectic, collection of work and displays. After the initial grand opening, we continued to discover even more regional artists to add to our offerings. 

As a part of our marketing strategy for the first year, The Ampersand Gallery participated in several off-sites, local Fine Craft Marketplaces, such as “O.F.F. Market” at Mad Tree Brewing in Oakley and “Art-On-Vine” at Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati. At these venues, we offered a representative sampling of our artists to a larger audience, which also served to entice more visitors to Bellevue for a unique “main street” shopping and dining experience. 

Our Customers 

One of our favorite anecdotes from our time as The Ampersand Gallery was during the winter holidays of 2017. A gentleman came into the gallery early one evening and began immediately to carefully consider the selection of jewelry. He chose a stunning sterling silver necklace with matching earrings. As we were preparing the gift boxes, he related to us that he and his wife were going to see “The Nutcracker” that evening. He continued to tell us that they had been attending that production every year for 30 years, and each year, he bought jewelry for her to wear for the occasion. We were honored and grateful to be a part of such a special tradition! We love the stories that customers bring to each purchase! 

Our Move and Expansion 

From the very inception of the gallery, we had ideas to expand both our space and our offerings to include the many antiques and upcycled/re-purposed objects that we used for display purposes, in addition to affordable, stylish home goods that would complement many types of spaces and sensibilities. In fact, many people would inquire about the availability of the unique pieces and antiques that we used to showcase our artists’ works. So, when the larger retail space at our current location became available (and just one block away), we embraced the opportunity to provide our customers with a truly extraordinary shopping experience. 

Our Name 

Why the Ampersand? And why Ampersand Home (or simply, “And Home,” as we are lovingly nicknamed)? This is a question that we are frequently asked, and the reason is Innately interwoven in our own experiences in searching for those inspired, distinctive pieces that we include in our own collection. Often, we come across so many great finds that we find ourselves remarking: “I am really enamored with this, & this, & this, & that.” Accordingly, the ampersand seemed so fitting to include as a part of our name. 

Our Vision 

As artists and collectors of all things with a narrative or a sense of history, we scour the tri-state area and beyond to bring you the next interesting find, from a triple train horn that serves as a candle holder, to the perfect antique chest, to soap that looks like precious rock. We work to bring art off of the wall and onto the table and look forward to helping you find that perfect gift for yourself or your loved ones. And, please, we certainly hope that you continue to share your own personal stories with us! 

Find the inspiration for each of your rooms. 

–the creative team at Ampersand Home (& Gallery) 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, the road and trajectory of &Home has been fairly smooth. Obviously, there are those challenges that one can anticipate as well as many that are unexpected. As with most retail, spending trends can sometimes feel like a roller coaster. But these constant changes have been good in keeping me creative and willing to adapt – to try new approaches – while staying true to our vision statement. 

Probably the biggest obstacle was my inexperience and lack of any business knowledge when I first began to explore the possibility of opening this business. There was a huge learning curve when it came to understanding effective business practices and marketing. But I have learned so much since then – some by trial and error – and I wouldn’t trade this practical experience for book knowledge any day. 

Subsequently, I am truly appreciative of all of the support and advice that I received along the way. Along with my own self-directed research, my family, friends, fellow business owners, and mentors have been invaluable in this journey. I can’t thank them enough! I would particularly like to highlight the services of S.C.O.R.E., a non-profit that provides free business mentoring and education to entrepreneurs. They were extremely helpful in providing me with the resources and personal mentoring that I lacked when I was first starting out. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
An artist living and working in the greater Cincinnati area, Matthew earned his BFA from Miami University (of Ohio) in 1995 with concentrations in both painting and ceramics. He went on to complete his MFA with distinctions from the University of Cincinnati at the School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning in 2004, with an emphasis in two-dimensional studies. For over 16 years, he has taught drawing, painting, two-dimensional design, and color theory, where he emphasizes ways of seeing and interpreting the world around us. He has also maintained an active exhibition record of his own work, featured in over 20 solo and 80 group shows. His work is in private collections across the United States. 

Having been rooted in pedagogical missions and richly steeped in the commercial and non-profit gallery life, Matthew is now exploring a new branch of the aesthetic tree: the retail side of the art market. In 2017, he opened The Ampersand Gallery, located in historic Bellevue, KY, right across the river from Cincinnati. The next year, he moved the gallery location down a block and expanded the offerings to include home goods, antiques, and books, along with the new name: Ampersand Home and Gallery. He is an avid collector of art/objects that tell a narrative or share a history. Not a hipster in any sense of the word, he occasionally dons a pair of Levi 511 slim-cut jeans while out antiquing for the next interesting find. 

What matters most to you? Why?
Wow. That’s a broad question, but wonderfully so. At first, I had my knee-jerk thought about what matters most to me in terms of &Home. That would undeniably be two-fold: my represented artists and my gracious customers. I have over 60 artists’ works in the store, and I truly admire their talent and commitment. The works of many of the artists are also in my personal collection. And, as far as my customers, well…I love them and their enthusiasm! I always enjoy the delight in my customers’ faces when they discover that perfect piece, that perfect gift, or that perfect memory that our art and antiques can elicit. And our conversations are filled with their wonderful stories, remembrances, and curiosity. What a privilege! 

As I considered the question more, my thoughts went to what matters to me in the broader sense of life. And undeniably, I would say that the three f’s – faith, family, and friends – matter the most. I have learned to relinquish my self-centeredness so that I may be more gracious towards others and more grateful in my circumstances. I can’t change the past and I can’t control the future, so it is indeed just one day at a time. So, I just try to do the next right thing, trusting God, cleaning my proverbial side of the street, and helping others. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ampersandhomeandgallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampersandhomeandgallery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmpersandHomeandGallery/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmpersandHomeVintage