The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) and Levon Galchian Studio Arts & Crafts Center held the Accomplishment 2011 Crafts Exhibition Fair, exhibiting the artworks crafted by rural children of Armenia within the framework of the Handicrafts Development Project initiated and implemented jointly by partners since early 2011. The event also exhibited the works of the best Armenian craftsmen, marked the launching of “Artsrun Berberyan Studio” silver workshop and the lighting of the first fire at the newly built Tonratun - Bread Museum. The Levon Galchian Studio Arts & Crafts Center, located in Aygegortsakan District of the village of Miasnikian (Armavir Marz of Armenia), hosted the event, featuring the works of some of the best craftsmen of the country. Michael Mkrtchyan, Ludwig Avetisyan, Anna Kolozyan, Susanna Abovyan, Armen Arakelyan, Sona Danoyan, Karlen Arevikyan, Ararat Martirosyan and Armen Khachatryan were among the renowned artists participating in the Fair. Sponsored by the Galichian family and established with COAF support, the silver studio was officially launched in the course of Accomplishment 2011. Here the work of the Armenian greatest artist Artsrun Berberyan will be continued by his daughter and crafts master Anahit Berberyan. With the aim of promoting handicrafts production among the rural youth, COAF has supported the development of three directions at the Levon Galchian Studio – ceramics, metal forgery and needlework. These workshops were supplied with the required equipment and materials. Additionally, in February 2011 around 35 adolescents living in the villages of Baghramian Region of Armavir Marz were recruited and started their classes in handicrafts. Upon completion of the four-month initial training program, the youngsters have been creating their own artworks, and up-to-date a few of the graduates continue working in the Studio as master assistants. The guests of the Crafts Exhibition Fair had also witnessed another accomplishment: the lighting of the first fire at the newly built Tonratun - Bread Museum, where they were offered Lavash, traditional Armenian bread. The Tonratun displays the collection of the traditional bread making equipment. The celebration of the day was complemented by the performances of “Van” Project, representing the ensemble of national musical instruments. Its mission is to research and re-introduce Armenian national music with its full variety and richness. The talented musician Norayr Kalashyan is the artistic director of the Ensemble. Another important occasion - the launch of the Levon Galchian Studio Website - was celebrated at the event: www.lgstudio.amwas launched by COAF and will present to the visitors the Studio activities, the artworks of Levon Galchian, Studio students and Studio Director Michael Mkrtchyan. Along with supporting the development of handicrafts and instilling love towards art among the youth, the broader goal of COAF and Levon Galchian Studiois to turn Accomplishment 2011 into a traditional and annual fair, where new and talented artists will have the opportunity to present themselves and their works to the larger public. About Partners(COAF and Levon Galchian Studio Arts & Crafts Center) The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) works to secure a brighter future for children in Armenia’s impoverished rural villages through improved education, health care, child and family services, infrastructure rehabilitation, community life and economic conditions. At their core, COAF programs create and sustain opportunities for growth and progress. Through its holistic and comprehensive approach COAF envisions a world in which all children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and in turn contribute meaningfully to their communities and to the world around them. Since 2004, COAF implements its programs in about dozen villages of Baghramian and Talin Regions of Armavir and Aragatsotn Marzes of Armenia. Rouben and Mariette Galichians planned to establish an art center in Armenia in memory of their son – Levon, who was a highly talented artist. They decided to establish an art center out of Yerevan, in the Movsesashen (Aygegortsakan) district of the village of Miasnikian. The Levon Galchian Studio has begun its work since 2007: it is a cozy place where children paint, work with clay, wood and stone. The Studio also offers classes in Art History, Carpet-weaving and Needlework.

---