The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) presents Giving Form to Faith: Art @ the Cathedral, an exhibition of work by major 20th and 21st century Armenian-American artists. The exhibition opens on June 19, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral,

The exhibition will remain on view until June 24, 2008. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 20-23, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 24. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Tickets for the opening night concert are $20 for adults and $15 for students. To purchase tickets, call the Diocese at 212-686-0710.

The exhibition will highlight the collection of the Cathedral and include works by established and emerging artists. It will be professionally curated and installed in a unique format, taking the viewer on a spiritual journey beginning in the sacred spaces of the Cathedral, and proceeding in a cultural and physical journey within the exhibition spaces: an edifying and uplifting experience of the works of prominent as well as emerging figures in the Armenian-American pantheon.

Through a display of writings and works, the exhibition will explore the role of Armenian artists in their wider contexts and the influences they have had upon other luminaries. It will include the works of contemporary and emerging talents who have never before been exhibited under the aegis of the Armenian Church.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the consecration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. It is organized by order of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and chaired and curated by Vicki Hovanessian, with curatorial committee members Nishan Kazazian, Ani Boyajian, Aileen Agopian and Rachel Goshgarian.

Since its consecration in 1968, St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral has served as the spiritual center for Armenians in the Diocese. In addition, it has been a vibrant social and cultural center in the neighborhood and in the tri-state area, home to numerous art exhibitions, concerts and lectures. It was home to the One World Festival, a joint venture with the City of New York celebrating the richness of New York’s multiculturalism for some 20 years. For more information on St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, please visit www.armenianchurch.net.

Featured Artists: Arshile Gorky, Reuben Nakian, Hovsep Pushman, Raoul Hague, William Saroyan, Krikor Khanjian, Sarkis Khatchadourian, Vava Sarkis, Simon Simonian, Soss Melik, Khoren Der Haroutiunian, Salpi Mavian, Atom Egoyan, Lina Bertucci, Kardash Onnig, Shanoor, Jackie Kazarian, Peter Sarkissian, Varujan Boghosian, Nishan Kazazian, Ani Boyajian, Vasken Kalayjian, Melissa Dadourian, Linda Ganjian, Robert Ohnigian, Haik Kocharian, Aram Jibilian and others.