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That's All The Collateral I Need
asbarez
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
by Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian Share Print
Artist Emil Kazaz donated "Sevil" to the ACF silent auction
BY PATTYL APOSHIAN KASPARIAN
With all the mumbo jumbo about who wore which designer and who waltzed
the red carpet with whom at the Oscars, it's easy to forget that a few
miles away in the beautiful city of Beverly Hills, the Armenian
Cultural Foundation publicized its own celebrities - an intimate group
of 300 A-listers dressed to the nines in glamorous outfits and fashion
must haves.
Montage Beverly Hills was filled with laughter, sparkle and dazzle. It
was an alembic evening - one of firsts and even a few rarities. The
evening celebrated the accomplishments of the Armenian Cultural
Foundation and highlighted the youthful energy surrounding these
successes. The annual banquet also served to raise funds to fuel the
growth of the Western Region.
Thanks to the foresight and determination of a few individuals, a new
fundraising opportunity was introduced. Several volunteers took
ownership of this new adventure, a silent auction, and proceeded with
boundless energy and enthusiasm. Volunteers spent endless hours
assuring that the donated goods resonate specifically with our caliber
of guests.
Some committee members donated from their personal collections. Others
reached out to business owners and friends. I did the unconventional.
It was an `uh-oh' moment where I spoke too quickly at a late night
meeting and didn't realize the commitment I made until I said it
aloud. I suggested that we approach the internationally-famed and
multi-talented artist, Emil Kazaz, to donate a masterpiece. Some were
skeptical, others optimistic. As reality hit, I weakened at the
thought of being turned down. Yet, knowing that I would make the ask
on behalf of the Armenian Cultural Foundation instead of my own
personal interests, I felt the power, energy and confidence of a newly
crowded Miss America.
After a few weeks of electronic chat, I met Monet Kazaz, Emil's wife
and business partner. Monet Kazaz is one of those women you sense
before you see, her grace and charm somehow arriving on the scene two
seconds before she does. We hit it off instantaneously. We spoke about
family, business, daily obligations and future aspirations. We talked
about the Armenian Cultural Foundation and its integral role in the
development of our community. I described the elegance and importance
of the banquet. We talked so much, we ran out of time.
We both ran home to tend to our kids and promised to meet a few hours
later. With great enthusiasm, I notified my committee that we would
add an Emil Kazaz masterpiece to the already impressive silent
auction.
As I met Monet for the second time, I expected her to walk in with a
small artist's folder and hand over a small painting. I anticipated
the `let's hurry and get this over with' greeting. Instead, we
continued our conversation about the Armenian Cultural Foundation. She
was intrigued. She was fascinated with the wealth of information,
resources and volunteer efforts surrounding our organization.
Instead of offering a masterpiece of her choice, she asked me to
select from the prominent Kazaz collection. How could I
choose-different canvases, sizes, price ranges? Everything was so
beautiful.
After several pleases and thank yous, I pointed to two large oil
paintings similar to ones I've seen displayed in international
galleries and asked if I could share these paintings with my committee
members. In the name of the Armenian Cultural Foundation, I took
possession of the treasured canvases and stared blindly at Monet.
`Just like that, you're going to let me walk away?' I asked. `Do you
want to hold my license and credit card as collateral?'
Monet Kazaz smiled her beautiful smile and said, `For someone who
dedicates her valuable time for an organization she holds so dear to
her heart, that's all the collateral I need.'
There's a certain pride that goes into these experiences - actually it's
more than pride. It's the perfect mix of confidence, reputation and
history.
It's the difference between going after what you want and deserve
instead of what you think you can settle for. After all, the Armenian
Cultural Foundation and its supporters deserve only the best!
Thank you to all the silent auction donors who contributed to the
success of the 2012 Annual Banquet.
Serop and Arsho Beylerian
Garboushian Gallery
Giantto
Viken and Nora Hovsepian
Emil and Monet Kazaz
Leon's Fine Jewelry
Montage Beverly Hills
Koko Topalian
Ralph and Savey Tufenkian
Tycoon Jewelers
Vahe and Nora Yacoubian
Harry Vorperian
asbarez
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
by Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian Share Print
Artist Emil Kazaz donated "Sevil" to the ACF silent auction
BY PATTYL APOSHIAN KASPARIAN
With all the mumbo jumbo about who wore which designer and who waltzed
the red carpet with whom at the Oscars, it's easy to forget that a few
miles away in the beautiful city of Beverly Hills, the Armenian
Cultural Foundation publicized its own celebrities - an intimate group
of 300 A-listers dressed to the nines in glamorous outfits and fashion
must haves.
Montage Beverly Hills was filled with laughter, sparkle and dazzle. It
was an alembic evening - one of firsts and even a few rarities. The
evening celebrated the accomplishments of the Armenian Cultural
Foundation and highlighted the youthful energy surrounding these
successes. The annual banquet also served to raise funds to fuel the
growth of the Western Region.
Thanks to the foresight and determination of a few individuals, a new
fundraising opportunity was introduced. Several volunteers took
ownership of this new adventure, a silent auction, and proceeded with
boundless energy and enthusiasm. Volunteers spent endless hours
assuring that the donated goods resonate specifically with our caliber
of guests.
Some committee members donated from their personal collections. Others
reached out to business owners and friends. I did the unconventional.
It was an `uh-oh' moment where I spoke too quickly at a late night
meeting and didn't realize the commitment I made until I said it
aloud. I suggested that we approach the internationally-famed and
multi-talented artist, Emil Kazaz, to donate a masterpiece. Some were
skeptical, others optimistic. As reality hit, I weakened at the
thought of being turned down. Yet, knowing that I would make the ask
on behalf of the Armenian Cultural Foundation instead of my own
personal interests, I felt the power, energy and confidence of a newly
crowded Miss America.
After a few weeks of electronic chat, I met Monet Kazaz, Emil's wife
and business partner. Monet Kazaz is one of those women you sense
before you see, her grace and charm somehow arriving on the scene two
seconds before she does. We hit it off instantaneously. We spoke about
family, business, daily obligations and future aspirations. We talked
about the Armenian Cultural Foundation and its integral role in the
development of our community. I described the elegance and importance
of the banquet. We talked so much, we ran out of time.
We both ran home to tend to our kids and promised to meet a few hours
later. With great enthusiasm, I notified my committee that we would
add an Emil Kazaz masterpiece to the already impressive silent
auction.
As I met Monet for the second time, I expected her to walk in with a
small artist's folder and hand over a small painting. I anticipated
the `let's hurry and get this over with' greeting. Instead, we
continued our conversation about the Armenian Cultural Foundation. She
was intrigued. She was fascinated with the wealth of information,
resources and volunteer efforts surrounding our organization.
Instead of offering a masterpiece of her choice, she asked me to
select from the prominent Kazaz collection. How could I
choose-different canvases, sizes, price ranges? Everything was so
beautiful.
After several pleases and thank yous, I pointed to two large oil
paintings similar to ones I've seen displayed in international
galleries and asked if I could share these paintings with my committee
members. In the name of the Armenian Cultural Foundation, I took
possession of the treasured canvases and stared blindly at Monet.
`Just like that, you're going to let me walk away?' I asked. `Do you
want to hold my license and credit card as collateral?'
Monet Kazaz smiled her beautiful smile and said, `For someone who
dedicates her valuable time for an organization she holds so dear to
her heart, that's all the collateral I need.'
There's a certain pride that goes into these experiences - actually it's
more than pride. It's the perfect mix of confidence, reputation and
history.
It's the difference between going after what you want and deserve
instead of what you think you can settle for. After all, the Armenian
Cultural Foundation and its supporters deserve only the best!
Thank you to all the silent auction donors who contributed to the
success of the 2012 Annual Banquet.
Serop and Arsho Beylerian
Garboushian Gallery
Giantto
Viken and Nora Hovsepian
Emil and Monet Kazaz
Leon's Fine Jewelry
Montage Beverly Hills
Koko Topalian
Ralph and Savey Tufenkian
Tycoon Jewelers
Vahe and Nora Yacoubian
Harry Vorperian