In Remembrance: The First Genocide of the 20th Century

Exhibit: April 1-30 2010

Gallery Night Reception: April 15, 5 – 9 pm

Special Performance & Reception: April 17, 3-5 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — March 25, 2010 — The University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus has invited Gallery Z Director Bérge Ara Zobian, an Armenian who lives in Providence, R.I., to curate a historically and artistically important show: The Armenian Genocide – 95 Years Later, In Remembrance.

The exhibit includes original art works by more than 40 artists and 100 school children along with photographs, posters and artifacts from ALMA Armenian Library Museum of America and, Armenian Genocide Museum Institute of Armenia and private collections.

Today, the horrors of the Armenian Genocide are commemorated annually on April 24th, the date in 1915 when the terrible intentions of the Turkish government for the Armenians first came to light. On that date, over one and one half million Armenians perished in the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century. Committed by the political party of the Ottoman Empire commonly known as the Young Turks, the killings and abuse occurred during World War I from 1915-1918 before being continued from 1920-1923.

The Turkish government had grown increasingly suspicious of the minority Armenian population whom they feared had become too powerful and nationalistic, and they therefore planned a deportation and extermination program disguised as a resettlement plan. The deported Armenians suffered massacres, starvation, disease, torture, and confiscation of all their possessions. The few that survived became refugees in neighboring countries.

The exhibit includes works by the following artists. Adrienne Der Marderosian, Armen Garo, Arpi Dadoyan, Astrid, Berge Ara Zobian, Beth Ferreira, Carol Scavotto, Chris Gasparian, Chris Murphy, Cynthia Motian McGuirl, David Ayirian, Medina Topalian, Emma Grigoryan, Greg Chopoorian, Hagop B.Aprahamian, Hrair B. Aprahamian, Ian Mohon, Jason Roberts, John Avakian, Judith Ferrara, Julian Penrose, Kevork Mourad*, Lara B., Lidya Tchakerian, Marsha Nouritza Odabashian, Nilton Cadenas, Norma Papazian Akkelian, Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, HAWK, Sevan Naccachian, Nareg Haroutunian, Simon Samsonian (b.1915 d.2003), Sirapi Heghinian Waltzer, Sossy Narcessian, Stephen Koharian, Sylva Portoian, Taylor Manter, Yevkeen, Varky, Tigran Tsitoghdzyan, Alexander Grigorian, Dorothy Abram, Larry Sykes. Plus over 100 childrens art ages ranging from 6-16 and, Genocide artifacts, books and displays from ALMA Armenian Library Museum of America and, Armenian Genocide Museum Institute of Armenia and, private collections.

A vibrant community of Armenian citizen’s settled in the Rhode Island area. Berge Zobian and Steven Pennell, coordinator of Urban Arts and Culture at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus have planned to this exhibit to celebrate Rhode Island’s Armenian Community by sharing various aspects of Armenian culture and history. The exhibit includes artwork, artifacts, posters, objects and photographs that illustrate home life, community life, religious and political life to provide a comprehensive representation of the Armenian Genocide and to show the dynamic community that settled in this region and the contributions they have made to the greater community.

For more information, please visit armeniangenocide95years, contact Steven Pennell, spennell@etal.uri.edu, 401-277-5206.

Hours M-TH 9-9, F 9-4, (closed Saturday & Sunday)

Call 277-5206 for more information.

URI Providence Campus Gallery is located in the 1st and 2nd floor lobbies, 80 Washington St. Providence RI 02903