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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
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