Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Armenian Sisters Academy Armenian Cultural Day celebration

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Armenian Sisters Academy Armenian Cultural Day celebration

    PRESS RELEASE

    Armenian Sisters Academy
    440 Upper Gulph Road
    Radnor, PA 19087

    Contact: Susan Pogharian
    Tel: 610-757-7090
    Fax: 610-687-2450
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: www.asaphila.org


    As part of their Armenian Cultural Day celebration, students of the
    Armenian Sisters Academy in 4th - 8th grades visited the Arshile Gorky
    exhibit now running at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Accompanied by
    Principal Sister V. Louisa Kassarjian, art teacher Armen Yepoyan and
    eight other faculty members, students were given a private tour by
    museum guides. Junior level students (7th and 8th graders) spent 90
    minutes with museum guide Nancy Hovnanian who went into greater detail
    on Gorky's work. Mrs. Hovnanian was impressed with the childrens'
    questions, general knowledge and interest.
    Music teacher Maroush Paneyan-Nigon accompanied students on the trip
    and was truly impressed how well the students were prepared for the
    exhibit. "Mr. Yepoyan should be commended for the way he provides
    opportunities for the students to learn about and to appreciate so many
    different styles of art. The children seemed to truly enjoy the
    exhibit, "she commented.
    `For the last several weeks leading up to the exhibition, our
    students have been learning about Arshile Gorky's life and art in the
    classroom. They eagerly awaited this field trip to see the marvelous
    original works in this retrospective for themselves. It was wonderful
    to see our students being inspired by the colors, shapes, masterstrokes
    and history behind each series of work', states Yepoyan. `Clearly
    they now have a much better understanding and appreciation of what this
    Armenian Genocide survivor brought to the world of art and how he lead
    the Abstract Expressionist movement in the United States in the
    1940s', he adds.
    Students gained insight into Gorky's various stages of painting and
    learned how his tragic personal life affected his artwork. Seventh
    grader Julie Arthin commented, "Gorky's art is remarkable in his use
    of texture. His artwork displayed specific moods; when he used grey, it
    reflected sad times in his life. I respect him more as an artist now
    that I better understand his background." Classmate Alex Ayrapetian was
    equally impressed. "My experience at the Arshile Gorky exhibit was great
    because it opened my mind. I thought his work was just scribbles until
    it was explained to me and I grew to understand his genius."
    Gorky's use of color and texture fascinated students, as did the
    various stages of his career. Evan Mazmanian, a seventh grader said, "I
    loved seeing a famous Armenian being shown in a museum and that our
    nationality lives on. My favorite piece is `Organization' because it
    has many different curves, straight lines and abstract shapes. I like
    how Gorky expresses his feelings and what's going on in his life. For
    example, after the fire in his studio, he would paint with red and black
    to represent the fire and ashes. It's wonderful that America
    recognized and acknowledged his talent. I like him a lot because he is
    deep and interpreted many things into his art which he lived for."
    The exhibit was a wonderful learning experience for students and
    faculty alike. They took great pride seeing their culture celebrated in
    mainstream America.


    Susan A. Pogharian
    Director, Admissions and Communications
    610-757-7090

    Armenian Sisters Academy
    440 Upper Gulph Road
    Radnor, PA 19087

    610-687-4100 (phone)
    610-687-2430 (fax)

    [email protected]
    www.asaphila.org
Working...
X