GENOCIDE EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT URI FEINSTEIN PROVIDENCE CAMPUS GALLERY
By Naomi Kuromiya

/genocide-exhibition-to-open-at-uri-feinstein-prov idence-campus-gallery/
Wed, Mar 17 2010

Over the past few weeks, the elements and details of the commemorative
exhibition "The Armenian Genocide-95 Years Later, In Remembrance"
have been confirmed and finalized. This historically and artistically
important exhibition will mark the 95th anniversary of the atrocities
of the Armenian Genocide and is being curated by Gallery Z director
Berge Ara Zobian, an Armenian of Providence, R.I. Zobian is producing
the show in collaboration with the Urban Arts and Culture Program
of the University of Rhode Island. The exhibit will be on display
from April 1-30 at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus Gallery,
a prominent location expected to draw many thousands of visitors.

The exhibit will be on display from April 1-30 at the URI Feinstein
Providence Campus Gallery, a prominent location expected to draw many
thousands of visitors.

The show features over 100 original works of art by 47 nationally
established artists and 133 pieces by children ages 6-16. Embracing
young artists is a crucial aspect of the show that will help give
them a voice for the future. A number of schools are participating,
including the St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School of Watertown,
Mass., Moorad Armenian School of Providence, and the Sunday School of
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church of Providence. The artwork by
the children will be from a number of different mediums, but each piece
will answer the question, "What does being an Armenian mean to you?"

In addition to enthusiastic artistic participation, a number of
organizations will be working in conjunction with the show, including
the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute located in Yerevan and the
Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) in Watertown, Mass. ALMA
will provide artifacts and materials from their Traveling Genocide
Exhibit. The Naregatsi Art Institute, a non-profit organization
dedicated to preserving Armenian culture through the arts, will be
providing enlightening posters, artwork, and films. Finally, the
Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island will lend heirlooms
and historical artifacts with references.

There will be two official events celebrating the exhibition: a Gallery
Night opening on Thurs., April 15 from 5-9 p.m., and the main event
on Sat., April 17 from 3-5 p.m. The program for this main event has
now firmly taken shape and will feature a presentation of the Rhode
Island "Genocide Educator of the Year Award" by the founders of the
"Remembering Our Past, Educating Our Future" program, Pauline Getzoyan
and Esther Kalajian. Both have also arranged for two Professional
Development Credits (PDCs) available during the event through the
Rhode Island State Department of Education, providing an excellent
opportunity for educators.

In addition, there will be a number of talented musical and dramatic
performances. The MC for the event will be actor and historical
consultant for the 2002 film "Ararat," Greg Chopoorian, who will
provide an introduction and brief overview of the program. Performer
and singer Arpie Dadoyan will perform a couple of songs from her
album "Sandplay," and musician David Ayiryan will play the kamancha
(an Armenian instrument) accompanied by Maestro Konstantin Petrossian
on piano.

Finally, established Rhode Island actor Armen Garo will perform the
play, "Hishadag’s Return: A Contemplation of the Jewish Holocaust
and the Armenian Genocide," written by Dorothy Abram, a playwright
and professor at Johnson & Wales University. Following the play,
Abram and Chopoorian will host a question and answer session geared
towards educators.

While the historical artifacts and materials of this exhibition will
explore the past and affirm the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide,
much of the artwork will also emphasize the present surviving Armenian
culture and even look towards the future. As the dates of the show
approach, it is exciting to see the wide scope of participation and
support come together to form a great celebration of Armenian history
and culture. Unfortunately, a show of this size and scope has quickly
become an enormously costly venture. While the staff of the show has
received some good responses of financial support, more donations are
still greatly needed to help this important exhibition come to life.

Any donations may be sent to Zobian at 17 Amherst St., Providence,
RI, 02909, memo: Genocide Exhibition.

The exhibition website, , will include
a page with information on related genocide awareness events in Rhode
Island in the upcoming weeks.

For more information, email armeniangenocide95years@gmail.com.