Watertown: Armenia Natural Treasures Viewed At Museum On Sept. 11

ARMENIA NATURAL TREASURES VIEWED AT MUSEUM ON SEPT. 11

Belmont Citizen-Herald
Sept 4 2008
MA

On Sept. 11, the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA)
and Armenia Tree Project (ATP) will debut their joint, juried
exhibition "A Photographic Journey of Armenia’s Natural Treasures"
in ALMA’s Contemporary Art Gallery. The exhibition features a series
of photographs ranging from majestic nature scenes to images that
document some of Armenia’s environmental problems. The photographs
will be offered for sale with 40 percent of the proceeds benefiting
ALMA and ATP.

When the idea for this joint collaboration first arose, the
organizers aimed to create a wide-ranging exhibition that not only
showed visitors Armenia’s stunning sights, but also raised awareness
about the serious threats to the country’s ecological heritage. After
holding a well-received call for submissions period this past spring,
honorary juror Judy Ann Goldman, owner of the Judy Ann Goldman Fine
Art gallery on Boston’s Newbury Street, helped the ALMA and ATP jurors
with the judging process.

Using an anonymous screening process, the jurors narrowed down 600
entries to 93 photographs from professional and amateur photographers
from six countries.

The following 35 photographers were chosen to participate in the
exhibition: Vahan Abrahamyan (Armenia), Chris Agazaryan (California),
Rich Bartell (China), Hapet Berberian (Massachusetts), Levon Berberian
(New York), Eli Burak (Vermont), Aram Comjean (Massachusetts),
Ireneusz Cyranek (Denmark), Joseph Dagdigian (Massachusetts), Julie
Dermansky (New Jersey), Ani Garibyan (California), Avetis Ghazanchyan
(Armenia), Karen Harutyunyan (Armenia), Sarah Hayes (Massachusetts),
Jirair Hovsepian (Massachusetts), Kathryn Howard (New York), Armen
Iskandaryan (Armenia), Matthew Karanian (California), Philip Ketchian
(Massachusetts), Hrair "Hawk" Khatcherian (Canada), Robert Kurkjian
(California), Ara Kahrmanian (Australia), Alexander Malkhasyan
(Armenia), Jeff Masarjian (Massachusetts), Ara Meshkanbarian
(California), Sossy Nercessian (Massachusetts), Rita Papagian (New
Jersey), Astghine Pasoyan (Armenia), Vahe Peroomian (California),
Elsa Ronningstam-Ketchian (Massachusetts), Hakob Sanasaryan (Armenia),
Kara Setian-Marston (Maryland), Anush Seyranyan (Armenia), Paul Vartan
Sookiasian (Pennsylvania) and Mikhayil Voskanov (Armenia).

"A Photographic Journey" runs through Oct. 11. The exhibition was made
possible by Wainwright Bank and Trust Co. and Staples Copy & Print
Shop in Watertown, with the support of Hagop Picture Frame and Design;
Watertown Savings Bank; Michals Insurance Agency, Inc.; Paul Neeson
and Deland, Gibson Insurance Associates, Inc.; and Eastern Lahmejun
Bakers, Inc. A weekly series of events will accompany the exhibition
to highlight its theme and give the public additional opportunities to
learn about Armenia’s environment from leading environmental activists.

Events All events take place in ALMA’s Contemporary Art Gallery,
which is handicap accessible.

· 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, Exhibition opens

· Saturday, Sept. 13, Private opening reception (by invitation only).

· 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, Presentation by Greens Union President
Hakob Sanasaryan: "At the Crossroads of Development — The Present
Situation of the Armenian Environment."

· 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, Presentation by ATP Executive Director
Jeff Masarjian: "The Dangers Facing Armenia’s Natural Treasures:
Current Risks and Opportunities."

· 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, Classical Concert with pianist Karine
Bagdasarian to mark close of the exhibition.

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