PRESS RELEASE
From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Tel: 01-353010/1/2
01-349230/1

"Life and Dreams": The Recent Works of Jacqueline Ohanian at Haigazian
University

On Friday the 30th of May 2008, under the high patronage of the
Ambassador of Belgium to Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Johan Verkammen, represented
by First Consul Jacqueline Fontaine opened the painting exhibition of
Jacqueline Ohanian, at the Haigazian University Art Center, Matossian
Gallery, in the presence of a host of diplomats, artists, media
representatives and art appreciators.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Haigazian University President, Rev.
Dr. Paul Haidostian welcomed the audience and considered this exhibition
as a positive reaction to the last tragic circumstances Lebanon has
suffered.

In her turn, Jacqueline Ohanian expressed her pride and gratitude
towards Haigazian University, for giving her the opportunity to
introduce her recent works at the University’s Art Center.

Ohanian shared with the audience the spirit of her exhibition, "Life and
Dreams", stating that "life is full of challenges, hardships, and
natural disasters,… whereas dreams are filled with hope, bright
colors, and happiness".

"It’s been three years that I’ve been preparing for this exhibition.
Today my dreams have come true, as I stand among my friends surrounded
with my paintings", Ohanian concluded.

Jacqueline Ohanian is a Lebanese Armenian artist. She studied History of
Arts and graduated from the State University of New York at Albany, NY
in 1986.

She has taught in the Lebanese American University and the Lebanese
University, in addition to colleges in the USA.

She has participated in collective exhibitions and major biennials, and
has had 37 solo shows in different countries such as the USA, the UAE,
France, Indonesia, Switzerland, Belgium, and Lebanon.

In her 38th exhibition, Ohanian is exhibiting 50 watercolor, oil and
acrylic paintings of various sizes. Most of the paintings belong to the
"contemporary realism" school, as Ohanian calls it, meaning realistic
but in a personal style.

The collection has various themes; it is an amalgam of bouquets, horses,
and Armenian ladies. The vivid color combination expresses the joy of
life and optimism of the spring season.

It is worth noting that right after this exhibition, Artist Jacqueline
Ohanian will participate in a collective exhibition entitled "Meeting
East with the West", in Windsor, United Kingdom.

P.S.The exhibition runs till Monday 9th of June 2008, from 10:00 till
7:00 p.m. including Sundays.