Megerditch Tarakdjian’s Exhibit of Paintings and Sculptures at ALMA

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Library & Museum of America, Inc.
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-926-2562 ext. 3
Fax: 617-926-0175
Website: <; Contact: Mariam Stepanyan March 3, 2006 Contact Person: Mariam Stepanyan Phone: 617.926.2562 , ext. 3; Email: [email protected] REFLECTIONS & EXPRESSIONS BY MEGERDITCH TARAKDJIAN Armenian Library & Museum of America (ALMA) hosts sculptor and painter Megerditch Tarakdjian's exhibit "Reflections & Expressions". After numerous solo and group art exhibits in Canada, Tarakdjian opens his first exhibit in New England area at ALMA's contemporary art gallery. Tarakdjian is originally from Syria, but has been living in Montreal, Canada since 1982. While being a graduate of the Saryan Academy of Arts in Aleppo, Syria, Tarakdjian started his artistic ventures relatively later in life. Tarakdjian finds that his profession as a medical doctor helps him to better understand and later reflect different facets of human condition in his sculptures or painting. His oil paintings are mostly in vibrant and unique combination of colors. The subjects in his paintings are naïve in serene life scenes. Tarakdjian's bronze and fired clay figurines depict the various states of the human condition. His treatment of the eyes of his subjects brings to life the richness of the subject's character in the sculptures: the viewer can see a smile, a tear, or a deep thought in their depth. Arto Tchakmakchian, sculptor and member of The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, finds Tarakdjian's art "original in conception" and with "a unique style of composition". Tarakdjian's sculptures are on permanent display at the College des Médecins du Québec in Montreal and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa. The artist reception is scheduled for 4-7pm March 18 at ALMA's contemporary art gallery (in the heart of Watertown Square, 65 Main Street, Watertown MA). It is open to public. The exhibit will last through April 30. Gallery hours are Thursday 6-9pm, Friday and Sunday 1-5pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm. For more information about this and other exhibits on display at the gallery this spring please visit <; or call 617.926.2562. Attached is an image of Tarakdjian's bronze sculpture "Cuddle". About ALMA Founded in 1971, ALMA's mission is to present and preserve the culture, history, art and contributions of the Armenian people to Americans and Armenians alike. Since its inception, ALMA's collection has grown to over 22,000 books and 20,000 artifacts, making it perhaps the largest and most diverse holding of Armenian cultural artifacts outside of Armenia. As a repository for heirlooms, the collection now represents a major resource not only for Armenian studies research, but as well as for preservation and illustration of the Armenian heritage. In 1988, ALMA acquired a 30,000 square foot facility in Watertown, MA - one of North America's oldest and most active Armenian communities. The facility includes exhibition galleries, Library, administrative offices, function hall, climate-controlled vaults and conservation lab. ALMA is the largest ethnic museum in New England and the only independent Armenian Museum in the Diaspora funded solely through contributions of individual supporters. An active Board of Trustees and volunteer base augments the museum's staff. Museum's active schedule of changing exhibits includes the use of the library primarily by researchers and interested general public seeking research materials on Armenians. In addition, the museum sponsors lecture and presentation program on related topics. Hours: Friday and Sunday, from 1-5 P.M., Saturday 10AM-2PM and Thursday evenings from 7-9 P.M. Admission: ALMA members are free/ $5 for non-members. Children under 12 get in are free. For more information please visit our website <; , or call 617.926.ALMA (2562). Directions Driving: Take route 95 to 128 to 90 (Mass Pike East) towards Watertown. Take exit 17- Watertown/Newton. Go North 1 mile towards Watertown Square. As you cross the small bridge, get into the 2 left lanes. Turn left on Main Street. Turn right on Church Street, and then turn right into the municipal parking lot. MBTA: Buses 71, 70/70A, 57, 52, 59, 502, 504. Please visit <; for schedules and maps.