Z. Khachatryan Art School Kiln

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Description

The Sissian Youth Arts School in Armenia was founded in 1962 to provide afterschool art classes for especially talented youth in the region.

In 1968 the school received a State School Status and has been supported by the Sissian city government. Currently 104 youth come to the school after their regular school day to pursue their dream in various forms of art. Ten percent of the students from this School continue on to the prestigious Terlemezyan Art School in Yerevan and Yerevan State University Art department. Many of the graduates have become artists, and several of them return to Sissian to perpetuate the School’s excellence in art education for regional youth.

Upon its founding, the first department in the school was called “Composition Art”. Students in this department skillfully and beautifully penciled their own ideas onto paper. This department eventually expanded to include all forms of drawing and painting. In 1968 the school enhanced its curriculum by adding Art History and Sculpting classes. In 1989 it increased its vision further by adding a department very close to the hearts of the regional people: the Hand Crafts department where students learn carpet weaving, needlepoint, crochet, knitting and so on. Some of the intricacies of the work they produce can rival any professional.

In 2012, two alumni from this School who completed their Art degree in Yerevan’s Terlemezian Art School returned to Sissian and began teaching a course in Ceramics Theory where the students learn the history of ceramics art (in which Armenians have had a very prominent standing and still do) the theory of ceramics, as well as technical details in producing the beautiful ceramics. The students enthusiasm is heightened and stirred by these classes, but alas, they have no means by which to put this knowledge to practical use, because they do not have a ceramics kiln, nor does one exist in the city for rent. The School’s vision is to expand this department to hands on teaching and giving the students the opportunity to put their creativity into making real ceramics that you can touch and watch and use.

Region

Syunik

City / Village

Sissian

Start Date

September 2013

End Date

November 2013

Gallery Images

Z. Khachatryan Art School Students Need a Kiln to Complete Their Creations.



Z. Khachatryan Art School Takes Delivery of Their New Kiln.



Z. Khachatryan Art School.



Students at the Art School Participate in Many Fine Art Classes.



The Kiln Was Manufactured in Armenia.



Students at the Art School.



The Staff and Teachers of the Z. Khachatryan Art School.



The New Kiln Makes it Safely to its New Home.

The Need

A kiln does not exist either at the School or in the city of Sissian for students enrolled in the ceramics program to use.

Short Term Impact

Immediately students will be able to continue their education in the ceramic arts by having a quality kiln to fire their artwork.

Long Term Impact

As students become more advanced and interested in the ceramic arts, this project could result in significant benefit to the school through increased enrollment, additional teachers employment, and additional revenue both to the students and to the school from ceramic sales. The education in and production of high quality ceramics and the development of this art form will ultimately preserve and help develop Armenia’s rich artistic heritage.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the ceramics classroom at the School. In addition, donors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on the Paros 100 website. Visits to the School will be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
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Traditional Armenian Dance Costumes

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Description

For the last 15 years, the Women for Development NGO has been implementing educational, health care and community development projects in the villages of the Shirak region. Their mission has been to mobilize these communities through increasing community involvement and education. The Women for Development NGO have been successful in motivating villages to voluntarily organize their own community events.

The village of Lanjik, although plagued with unemployment, poverty and seasonal migration, has put its efforts together and arranged an agreement with a dance tutor to organize a children’s dance group. The village of Torosgyugh has also established a children’s dance group in their village. Currently these children have to perform using borrowed and very old traditional Armenian costumes from a dance group in Gyumri.

These villages are in need of additional support, as they continue to foster these cultural opportunities for both children and their families. Through sponsorship of his project, 30 children between both Torosgyugh and Lanjik villages will obtain 30 new dance costumes and dance shoes to use during their concerts. The goal of this project is to motivate and encourage both parents and their children in continuing their efforts of self-sustainment through community development. Its success will help increase the confidence and self-esteem of these children, leading them towards brighter futures. Furthermore, through the concerts they will be giving these children will be promoting their Armenian culture and heritage.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Torosguygh and Lanjik Villages

Start Date

June 2014

End Date

August 2014

Gallery Images

Children in the Shirak region village dance groups perform without traditional Armenian costumes.

The Need

Since the establishment of these children’s dance groups in Torosgyugh and Lanjik villages, the children have been performing in destroyed buildings and old traditional Armenian costumes borrowed from another dance group. Obtaining their own new dance costumes and dance shoes will serve as a motivating factor for the children and their parent’s to keep developing their dance groups and in turn their communities.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of this project will be to supply a total of 30 children from both the dance group from Torosgyugh village and the dance group from Lanjik village with dance costumes and dance shoes for their upcoming concerts.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, the success of this project will aid in motivating and encouraging 30 children and their families to increase community participation and improve their everyday quality of life. In addition, these children will gain a sense of accomplishment, self-worth and confidence, putting them on a path to more successful future.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor new dance costumes and shoes will be recognized in their dance centers, printed materials, and your name will be listed as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the dance centers in Torosgyugh and Lanjik villages when you are in Armenia.
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July 10, 2014

A local designer from Gyumri created traditional designs for the new costumes and has been spending get last few days measuring the children and sewing the dance costumes.

 August 9, 2014

Children in Torosguygh and Lanjik villages received their brand new dance costumes and dance shoes.

 August 30, 2014

The dance groups from Torosgyugh and Lanjik held a joint event/concert wearing their beautiful new costumes and shoes. During the concert they acknowledged generous sponsors of this project and our organization.

Sporting Goods for Village Schools 2, Hatsik

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Description

For many of Armenia’s most isolated and poverty stricken regions, sporting equipment is difficult to come by and expensive to buy. By supporting this project you will help thousands of children attending schools in the poverty stricken villages throughout Armenia. Although schools in these villages may have a few sporting goods, often times, the kids are playing with items that are old, unsafe and unusable. Our goal is to purchase and distribute a variety of sporting goods and equipment to village schools (maximum of $1,200 per school) and give these students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, play individual and team sports and exercise. In addition, the completion of this project will help to promote health and fitness.

The variety of sporting goods will include volleyballs, volleyball nets, basketballs, basketball hoops, soccer balls, soccer nets, wrestling mats, jump ropes, hula hoops, assortment of weights, tennis rackets, tennis balls and some gymnastics equipment based on the needs of individual schools.

Region

Armavir

City / Village

Hatsik

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One month to purchase and deliver the equipment

Gallery Images

All old, unsafe and unusable sporting goods will be replaced with newer and safer equipment for students to use.



Many of the sporting goods are unsafe and unusable.



Worn out volleyball net.

The Need

Children living in Armenia’s poverty stricken villages cannot afford basic toys and sporting goods that can provide them with hours of entertainment and good physical exercise. This effort would help meet this need.

Short Term Impact

Students at the Hatsik school will immediately benefit from use of the new equipment as part of the education and overall fitness.

Long Term Impact

In the long term the lives of several thousand children throughout the villages of Armenia will be positively affected. This project will not only promote good health through providing them with a chance to exercise, but will also help to increase good team work skills through team sports, and give them an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Sporting Goods for Village Schools project will be recognized in appropriate press related to this important project and your name listed as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the village schools that have benefited from this project.
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September 1, 2015

New sporting goods were delivered to Hatsik including benches, basketballs, basketball backboards and hoops, volleyball sets, climbing rope and safety mats.

Kanakeravan Art School, Multipurpose Room

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Description

The Kanakeravan Art School is located in the village of Kanakeravan 30 minutes outside of Yerevan and serves both this village and a neighboring village. The School provides afterschool programs in several of the fine arts including music, dance, pottery, painting and needle work to more than 125 children annually. Their committed staff and principal ensure that their personal passion for the arts is upheld and taught to these children. The School has a multipurpose room that serves as a recital hall, exhibit space and dance class room that is need of a cosmetic renovation including new flooring, paint and lighting. The local government provides the Art School support for their administrative expenses, while the students pay a modest monthly fee. Unfortunatly, the support and fees are not enough to allow the School to renovate their mutipurpose room nor the adjoining changing room.

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Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Kanakeravan

Start Date

June 2017

End Date

August 2017

Gallery Images

Current state of the Kanakeravan Art School Multipurpose Room.



Kanakeravan Art School – Multipurpose Room



The Art School provides art & music classes to more than 125 children annually.



The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School is located in a village approximately 30 minutes outside of Yerevan.



The renovations needed for the multipurpose room include new flooring, paint and lighting.



The School’s multipurpose room, which serves as a recital hall, exhibit space and dance class room, is need of a cosmetic renovation.

The Need

Armenia’s villages and its children suffer from a lack of facilities for children. The promotion of a child’s education and preservation of our rich culture depend on quality educational institutions. The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School can meet these needs with a modest amount of support.

Short Term Impact

125 children will will have a newly renovated multipurpose room to attend their dance classes, and hold recitals and exhibits. The cosmetic reconstruction of this room and the adjoining changing room will employ a contractor and support the local economy through the purchase of necessary building materials.

Long Term Impact

125 children, their families and the village of Karakeravan at large will benefit from a modern, multipurpose room to use while attending the afterschool programs at the Karakeravan Fine Arts School, and during subsequent art exhibits, recitals and small concerts.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to remodel the Kanakeravan Art School Multipurpose Room will be recognized with a plaque and your name listed as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Kanaderavan Art School when you are in Armenia.
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July 3, 2017

The SERVICE Armenia 2017 group spent the day doing hard labor at the Kanakeravan Art School, preparing the multipurpose room for its new subfloor. The group also helped fund the renovation of other classrooms that will take place in the near future.

September 5, 2017

We caught dance class in session in the renovated multipurpose room in the village of Kanakeravan!

Aghcheeg Project

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Description

Although women’s roles in society have evolved immensely throughout the centuries, they still differ vastly among different cultures and countries. Christina Cherekdjian, a young Armenian living in America, is interested in studying women in their everyday realities in present day Armenia. Her vision is to document women of all ages, socioeconomic statuses, and rural and urban environments through photography with the help of other young diasporan women. Christina hopes that these photos will be able to help educate, and spark interest and dialogue about modern day roles of women in Armenia’s society.

Photos from her cultural experiment will be showcased at an art exhibit that will travel throughout Armenia and the United States allowing Christina to share her thoughts and discoveries for one year. The exhibit will be hung in museums, art galleries and school throughout Armenia to help launch a discussion about women’s roles in Armenia.

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Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

Throughout Armenia

Start Date

2014

End Date

2015

Gallery Images

Christina Cherekdjian, project spearheaded, discusses her interest in issues effecting women and how that prompted her to initiate this important project.



Photo an elderly woman in a village from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.



A photo of two friends enjoying their day in Dilijan from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.



A grandmother and her granddaughter in a village from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.



Two elderly women making Lavash in Oshakan from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.



Young girl performing a traditional Armenia dance in Vanadzor from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.



Dance class in a village from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.



One of the doctors from the Kurtan Village Medical Center from the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit.

The Need

A study of women in Armenia is well overdue. It is through discussion and education that people learn about themselves and evolve and improve their existence. This project can help spark great interest in this topic and create discussions that can inform positive cultural changes for women in Armenia.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, Christina and her team will be given cameras and grant funding in order to complete a photo study of women in Armenia’s society. In addition, an art exhibit will be held in the United States and Armenia, allowing Christina to share her findings, discoveries, and thoughts. The exhibit in Armenia will travel throughout several towns and villages. Furthermore, the local economy will receive a boost due to the printing of the photos in Armenia.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, the photo exhibit will tour Armenia and the United States for a year’s period. This project will continue to inform and educate Armenian women, both in Armenia and the diaspora and help bring upon change and advancement.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors towards this project will be recognized on the The Paros Foundation’s website and in appropriate related press regarding this project.
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July 23, 2014

On July 23, Christina Cherekdjian’s project came to life with the opening of the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit in Yerevan, Armenia. Her interest in women’s issues prompted her to apply and win a grant through her school to initiate this important project. The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is comprised of a series of photographs taken by Christina and several of her peers during The Paros Foundation’s SERVICE-Armenia 2014 trip this summer.

September 15, 2014

The exhibit,comprised of more than 40 large format photographs, begins its tour at the Narekatsi Art Center in Armenia where it will be for the next week.

 February 12, 2015

The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is being showcased at Christina Cherekdjian’s school, Notre Dame High School in San Francisco, where she has been asked to speak about her peers about the journey in putting this project together. The photos will also be exhibited at St. Andrews Armenia Church also in the San Francisco Bay Area right after.

 February 18, 2015

The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is being showcased at The Green Bean Coffee Shop on Amiryan Street in Yerevan, Armenia.

 July 20, 2015

The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit made its way to the Vanadzor Fine Arts Museum for its final showcasing of its year-long tour throughout Armenia. Our ‪SERVICE Armenia 2015‬ group will be visiting soon to see the exhibit. The exhibit will be available upon request for further art exhibits in Armenia and the US.

Sporting Goods for Village Schools 4 – Medz Masrik

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Description

For many of Armenia’s most isolated and poverty stricken regions, sporting equipment is difficult to come by and expensive to buy. By supporting this project you will help thousands of children attending schools in the poverty stricken villages throughout Armenia. Although schools in these villages may have a few sporting goods, often times, the kids are playing with items that are old, unsafe and unusable.
Our goal is to purchase and distribute a variety of sporting goods and equipment to village schools and give these students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, play individual and team sports and exercise. In addition, the completion of this project will help to promote health and fitness.
The variety of sporting goods will include volleyballs, volleyball nets, basketballs, basketball hoops, soccer balls, soccer nets, wrestling mats, jump ropes, hula hoops, assortment of weights, tennis rackets, tennis balls and some gymnastics equipment based on the needs of individual schools.

Region

All

City / Village

All

Start Date

February 2022

End Date

February 2022

Gallery Images

All old, unsafe and unusable sporting goods will be replaced with newer and safer equipment for students to use.



Many of the sporting goods are unsafe and unusable.



Worn out volleyball net.

The Need

Children living in Armenia’s poverty stricken villages cannot afford basic toys and sporting goods that can provide them with hours of entertainment and good physical exercise. This effort would help meet this need.

Short Term Impact

60 students at the Medz Masrik village schoos will immediately benefit from use of the new boxing equipment as part of their new boxing classes. 

Long Term Impact

In the long term the lives of several thousand children throughout the villages of Armenia will be positively affected. This project will not only promote good health through providing them with a chance to exercise, but will also help to increase good team work skills through team sports, and give them an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Sporting Goods for the Medz Masrik Village School  will be recognized in appropriate press related to this important project and your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the school.

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February 9, 2022

The Medz Masrik School will benefit from this effort. They are establish boxing classes and are in need of boxing equipment for the children. 

February 14, 2022

Today the shipment of new sporting goods was delivered to the Medz Masrik School by Paros staff and was greeted with great excitement from the staff and students. Boxing classes will start immediately. 

Sporting Goods for Village Schools 1, Varagavan

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Description

For many of Armenia’s most isolated and poverty stricken regions, sporting equipment is difficult to come by and expensive to buy. By supporting this project you will help thousands of children attending schools in the poverty stricken villages throughout Armenia. Although schools in these villages may have a few sporting goods, often times, the kids are playing with items that are old, unsafe and unusable.

Our goal is to purchase and distribute a variety of sporting goods and equipment to village schools (maximum of $1,000 per school) and give these students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, play individual and team sports and exercise. In addition, the completion of this project will help to promote health and fitness.

The variety of sporting goods will include volleyballs, volleyball nets, basketballs, basketball hoops, soccer balls, soccer nets, wrestling mats, jump ropes, hula hoops, assortment of weights, tennis rackets, tennis balls and some gymnastics equipment based on the needs of individual schools.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Varagavan

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One month after start date

Gallery Images

All old, unsafe and unusable sporting goods will be replaced with newer and safer equipment for students to use.



Many of the sporting goods are unsafe and unusable.



Worn out volleyball net.

The Need

Children living in Armenia’s poverty stricken villages cannot afford basic toys and sporting goods that can provide them with hours of entertainment and good physical exercise. This effort would help meet this need.

Short Term Impact

Students at village schools will immediately benefit from use of the new equipment as part of the education and overall fitness.

Long Term Impact

In the long term the lives of several thousand children throughout the villages of Armenia will be positively affected. This project will not only promote good health through providing them with a chance to exercise, but will also help to increase good team work skills through team sports, and give them an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Sporting Goods for Village Schools project will be recognized in appropriate press related to this important project and your name listed as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the village schools that have benefited from this project.
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October 17, 2014

Students from the village of Varagavan, in Armenia’s Tavush region, received a variety of brand new sporting goods for their school.

 

Genocide And Armenia In The Eyes Of People With Disabilities

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Description

People with disabilities will get an opportunity to actively participate in the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide by creating paintings inspired by three topics and presenting them to the public. This will contribute to challenging public perceptions of people with disabilities, promoting accessibility and equality.

The project will be promoted through various means (ads in media, mailing lists, websites, etc.). Artists with disabilities will paint and submit their works based on the following three topics: 1) Genocide in my Eyes; 2) Creating an Accessible Armenia; 3) We are Equal. Their paintings will be featured at four exhibitions held in the areas affected by the 1988 Spitak Earthquake (Spitak, Vanadzor, Gyumri and Stepanavan) where there is a large population of people with disabilites. 20 of the best paintings will be selected by a professional jury. These paintings will be featured at the final event in Yerevan during which prizes will be given. The jury will also select nine paintings (three from each category) as the winners of the contest. Their authors will receive prizes. The best 20 paintings will be published in a booklet.

Region

Shirak, Lori, Yerevan

City / Village

Gyumri, Spitak, Vanadzor, Stepanavan, Yerevan

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

April 2019

Gallery Images

People with disabilities will get an opportunity to actively participate in the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

The Need

People with disabilities still face direct and indirect discrimination in Armenia due to lack of accessibility, poor implementation of the laws and stereotypes. These stereotypes portray people with disabilities as “passive”, “sick” and “incapable” individuals unable to live full lives and contribute to the development of the country. This project hopes to challenge these stereotypes, promoting equal access to public venues, facilities and transport.

Short Term Impact

It is expected that no less than 100 artists with disabilities will participate in the contest. Approximately 1,000 people will attend the four exhibitions in Armenia’s different regions and one final event, the prize-giving ceremony in Yerevan. Due to the media coverage, the target audience will also include no less than 10,000 people.
 

Long Term Impact

The long term impact of this project will be the promotion of the Armenian Genocide through both the actual artwork, related press and publication, and the change of perceptions regarding people with disabilities in Armenia. Stereotypes affecting people with disabilities will be challenged. Access to public venues, buildings, facilities and transport for persons with limited mobility will be promoted. 

Sponsors Benefits

All supporters will be published on The Paros Foundation, unison.am and disability.am websites. Their names will be also listed in the booklet published within the framework of the project. In addition, the organizers will thank the donors during the prize-giving ceremony, the final public event of the project.
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April 11, 2019

The exhibit with the winning artwork took place at the Genocide Monument and in Gyumri.