LOS ANGELES—Armenia School Foundation USA, the Armenian Cultural Ararat Organization 70th Celebrations Arts Committee, and the Melik Voskanian Foundation joined together to pay tribute, honor and celebrate the precious life and works of renowned architect and artist, Rostom Voskanian.
The tribute and art exhibition was held at the Homenetmen Glendale Ärarat Chapter on Saturday, October 25, and continued through Sunday, October 26. More than 400 people visited the exhibition hall, which was meticulously envisioned and designed by Alek Zarifian, after the Holy Cross Chapel, a unique work of art created by Voskanian in 1987 in Tehran, Iran, on Ararat’s stadium ground. Three banners, Rostom’s portrait, Ararat Marzavan, and St Cross Chapel were the focal points of the exhibition hall. The gallery was showcasing a variety of original paintings and sculptures, selected and donated by Roubik and Aida Voskanian.
Annette Kiureghian, ASF board member and event coordinator for the art exhibition, opened the ceremony with a speech welcoming the attendees, as well as a brief presentation of the three organizations, and their united mission. An informative introduction of Rostom’s life and biography was also presented.
Rostom’s recently published book ceremony was introduced by Lilit Baghdassarian, and officiated by Rev. Father Komitas Torosian. Members of the Voskanian and Zarifian Families, along with co- authors, Zareh Arevshatian and Armen Baghdasarian were in attendance.
One of the highlights of the evening was an interesting presentation by Professor Talinn Grigor, an Architectural Historian and a distinguished author who teaches at Brandies University in Boston, Massachusetts. Professor Grigor had prepared an in-depth video presentation of Rostom’s life and career, focusing on his main architectural masterpieces, his beliefs and convictions.
Voskanian was a well-known architect, painter and sculptor, as well as a true patriot and social activist. He was very much loved and honored by family, friends, students and colleagues. Rostom was a visionary artist, a caring teacher, who was both modest and genuine. He fostered creativity in those under his tutelage. Rostom never forgot his roots, hence his wish to help children and the Armenian community through the proceeds of his longtime work. In 2011, he donated over 2,000 items from his antique collection to the National History Museum of Yerevan. On August 11, 2013, he succumbed to Leukemia. Although greatly missed, his spirit remains with us through his work and art for generations to come.
“Voskanian’s Art Exhibition proved to be an important event, not just because of the economically successful sale of his unique and original art work, but also because it provided an opportunity for his family, friends and supporters to pay tribute to him one last time in a dignified and respectful manner. This exhibition also provided an opportunity for three non-profit Armenian organizations and foundations to collaborate for a united cause and mission “stated Moneh Der Grigorian, president of ASF board.
As part of Rostom Voskanian’s legacy, all proceeds from the sales will go towards establishing a memorial museum in Yerevan and providing new furniture and equipment to schools in Armenia via the Armenia School Foundation.
Armenia School Foundation (ASF USA) is a California-based nonprofit organization with a mission to provide new furniture and equipment to remote village schools in Armenia. The Armenian Cultural Ararat Organization 70th Celebrations Committee’s mission is to commemorate 70 years of excellence in cultural and physical education of several generations of diaspora Armenians.
