Armenian Student Association’s, 60th Anniversary, Artists’ Ball

For a community that can already be described as “expressive,” arts allows the Armenians to communicate through, sculptures, paintings, prints and other forms of expression.

A two day event, starting on Saturday, September, 26, going through the 27th--The 60th Annual Artists’ Ball, gave Artists with an Armenian background a chance to showcase their work.

“I found out about this event through a friend. He told me that I should put my work at The Artists’ Ball because my work is really good and I thought...I am Armenian, why not?

So, I submitted and have photographs, of my cross-country road trips, throughout the United States displayed,” said Yvonne Albinowski, an artist with a BFA from The School of Visual Artist in New York. Whose photographs have appeared in art publication, like, Wried and Insight Magazine, had four photos, one shot in New Mexico, one from Tucson Arizona, one from Amarillo Texas and another from Ransburg California.

Another Armenian artist with experience, as-well-as, national and international appeal, Kristina Nazarevskaia.

“This is my first time exhibiting at the Artists’ Ball, but I have had solo exhibitions in New York, Vienna and Moscow. I felt that since I am Armenian, it was about time I summit my work,” she said.

Nazarevskaia appeal might not be known to the naked eye, but anyone who watches Gossip Girls or watched, Sex and the City, the movie, have seen her work.

“I met with the producers of Sex and the City. They were looking for pieces for some of their sets--they chose nine of my pieces for a set they already designed, but redesigned to accommodate my work.”

Her work, on display was a set dedicated to the natural movement of New York city.

“I enjoy the outcome of people, it is unbelievable, not just the amount, but the attention that they are giving to the art. It gives the artist the opportunity to not only be exposed, but to sell their work because without the financial support, artists cannot create, so this event gives artist two opportunities, which is fantastic,” said Nazarevskaia.

At the ball were also emerging artists, like Chris Gasparian, a mechanical engineer by trade, but an artist by passion, his sculptures of man made out of galvanized steel wire with a concrete base.

“I wanted to make a man caught in a web, and just started from there. As I was going about it--it started looking like a man in a struggle, fighting, though he is stuck, he is trying and it just translate back to everyday life” he said.

Gasparian, who had a painting on display at the 2007 Artists’ Ball, came back with in 2009 with only sculptures.

“Once I came back from 10 months in Armenia and going to Art school there, the change came about.

This year’s event, unlike the two years prior was not in the smaller gallery in TriBecca, for the 60th anniversary, the event was at the Ico Gallery in Chelsea.

“We followed the owners of last year’s event to their new building. They sold that gallery and purchased this location in Chelsea. They were great to work with and wanted to continue. When we called them, they informed us of the new space that they were looking to get, which was larger and it fit our event perfectly,” said Artists’ Ball organizer, Raffi Hovsepian.

The gallery’s wider space and appearance was noticeable by the visiting patrons. One couple was overheard bantering back and fourth, in Armenian, “much better feel, this year, from last year. More room, nice environment, much more comforting.”

This being the 60th anniversary, the organizing committee had some thoughts on how to celebrate the occasion.

“We decided that, since being in a new gallery in the ‘art capital of the world’ New York City, it was a big step.

As for doing something spectacular, it is all about time, space and budget...not to mention, attracting a crowd, keeping them entertained. What we did this year is hold an after party in this area, which I think allows us to commemorate the 60th anniversary in a way that shows we value the art work, the artists and we want the Armenian community to come out and enjoy the art,” added Hovsepian.

Since the same old issues at the Puck Building have yet to be resolved, the ASA, is happy with their decision of having the art work, front and center and then going to the after-party to dance.

“The way we have it right now, we capture both groups, the people who want to see art and the people who just want to party. Our goal is for people to attend both, but with the art exhibition, followed by the party, we can play to both crowds,” said Hovsepian.

As the night dwindled down, most patrons started heading over Rebel NYC for the after-party.

Haik Kocharian, another artist with a print display, said it best.

“Now that we have taken in the art, it is time to let loose.”