Caprice Erickson Discusses Significance of Armenian Museum Collection at Mass History Conference

On June 2, our Collections Manager Caprice Erickson presented a talk at the Mass History Conference on "Empathy in Museum Collections: A Glimpse into the Collection at the Armenian Museum of America” at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

This year’s conference theme, “Connecting and Caring Through History,” encourages us to reconnect with our communities and the “why” behind what we do. With a myriad of digital and traditional tools at our disposal, there are more ways than ever to make history public. How can we offer interpretations that tell diverse stories and bridge the gap between past and present?

“With a vibrant culture and an ancient history, Armenians add an ornamental thread to our diverse social tapestry in America. Connecting with their history helps us understand why many Armenians came to America and can also encourage us to reflect on how our own ancestors came to be here,” said Erickson during her illustrated talk.

Caprice Erickson obtained her BA at the University of St. Thomas in Houston in History with a concentration in Irish Studies and Russian Studies. In 2018, she received her MLitt in Museum and Gallery Studies from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she conducted research on the intangible cultural heritage of the Scottish Gaelic language. Before joining the Museum in 2024, she worked at Houston’s Holocaust Museum.

Haig Hovsepian Kicks Off New Concert Series Music in Color

We are proud to announce the launch of Music in Color, a dynamic new concert series and Artist-in-Residence program led by acclaimed Armenian-American violinist Haig Hovsepian. This exciting initiative, generously supported by Nancy Kolligian, aims to bring engaging musical experiences to the Museum’s Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries while deepening public connection to Armenian culture through music.

Kicking off the series, Hovsepian will be joined by Chilean-American pianist Matias Nestor Cuevas for a powerful inaugural performance that promises both artistic excellence and cultural depth.

The Music in Color: Artist-in-Residence Program is designed to foster meaningful engagement with the Museum's exhibitions through live performance, educational elements, and cross-cultural collaborations. Through this program, visitors will experience the rich tapestry of Armenian musical heritage alongside global musical influences in a unique gallery setting.

Haig Hovsepian, praised by violinist Ilya Kaler as “one of the most gifted musicians of his generation,” is a versatile performer with a background spanning classical, Armenian, and jazz traditions. He has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, and the Koussevitzky Music Shed, and has appeared as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra and others. Hovsepian studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and is also a dedicated educator and community advocate.

Matias Nestor Cuevas, a celebrated pianist known for his emotionally expressive performances and a deep commitment to reviving the 19th-century salon recital tradition. A graduate of Kevin Kenner at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, Cuevas is a multi-award-winning artist with performances across Europe and the U.S.

“We are thrilled to present Music in Color as a way to highlight both the vibrancy of Armenian musical traditions and the contemporary voices carrying that legacy forward,” said Sarah Hayes, Director of Development. “Haig Hovsepian brings a rare depth of artistry and cultural insight to this role, and we are excited for our visitors to experience his work in our galleries.”

The inaugural concert will take place on Thursday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries at the Armenian Museum of America. Stay tuned for more details on this performance and future events in the Music in Color series.

Fragments of Memory Presents Artist Varujan Boghosian

The Armenian Museum of America of Watertown (Boston) recently announced a new exhibition of 45 works by Armenian-American artist Varujan Boghosian. “Fragments of Memory: The Art and Legacy of Varujan Boghosian” offers a rare opportunity to experience the elegant, poetic constructions created by an artist who left a profound mark on the world of contemporary art. Curated by Ryann Casey, the exhibition is sponsored by the Alan and Isabelle Der Kazarian Foundation.

Varujan Boghosian, “Self-Portrait as a Lion,” 2006, Framed Collage, 21 x 16.5 in, from the collection of Heidi Boghosian

Varujan Boghosian (1926–2020) was more than just an artist; he was a mentor, a teacher, and a friend to many. He greeted everyone with warmth and generosity, making even perfect strangers feel like long-lost friends. His welcoming nature was particularly evident at Provincetown’s Berta Walker Gallery, where his encounters often left visitors with a newfound understanding of art and literature, and with smiles that carried the spirit of his personality. Boghosian was deeply committed to supporting young artists and fostering creativity in the next generation.

“Working only with found materials, Varujan created constructions and collages through the use of old and discarded objects. In the resulting elegant works, we find that the old and ordinary have been endowed with wonder and mystery, wit and pathos,” said Berta Walker. “Boghosian used his carefully culled raw materials to create works of pure and lyric visual poetry. Haiku in found objects.”

“Boghosian’s work is inspired by the past, by an appreciation of the lives and legacy of myth, of people and objects that have gone before, and a love of images and iconography. He is a sculptor, assembler, constructionist, beachcomber, scavenger, collector, historian, and conservator, and gathers the relics of our common experience, transforming them, often with humor, into poetic tributes,” wrote Gillian Drake in Cape Arts Magazine.

Boghosian was born in New Britain, Connecticut. His father emigrated from Armenia in the aftermath of the Genocide and was a cobbler, before going to work in the Stanley tool works. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Boghosian attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. In 1953 he received a Fullbright Grant and went to Italy. When he returned, he became a student of the influential Joseph Albers at Yale School of Art and Architecture.

Boghosian is an award-winning artist who has been presented in museums across the country and is in public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of America Art, the New York Public Library, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He was a phenomenal teacher, holding positions at Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth.

“This exhibition was an incredible collaboration. Last year when the artists’ daughter Heidi Boghosian contacted the Museum about donating his work to our collection, Executive Committee Member Joan Agajanian Quinn led the process of selecting 10 of the works that would represent his various styles and exhibit well together,” explained Executive Director Jason Sohigian.

“Once we decided to exhibit the works, Curator Ryann Casey worked with Heidi to select another 28 works from her personal collection,” he continued. “From there, the Berta Walker Gallery loaned nine larger works for the exhibition to round out the scope of work. The end result is sure to impress visitors to our Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries!”

Ryann Casey is a New Jersey-based curator, artist, and educator. She holds a BA in Photography from Stockton University and an MFA/MS in Photography and Art History from Pratt Institute. Casey is the Exhibitions Coordinator at Stockton University Art Gallery and teaches Photography, Art History, and Critical Theory as an adjunct professor.

Over the past two years, Casey has curated exhibitions at the Armenian Museum including “Ara Oshagan: Disrupted, Borders,” “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection,” and “Filtered Identity: The Art of Tigran Tsitoghdzyan.”

The opening will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 pm, and offer an opportunity to meet the artists’ daughter Heidi Boghosian and network with fellow art enthusiasts. Guests will have the chance to view the artist’s poignant and transformative works, which resonate with themes of mystery and human experience.

The Armenian Museum of America is committed to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Armenian people through art, history, and education. The museum serves as a vital resource in the Watertown Cultural District and welcomes visitors from all backgrounds to learn about and appreciate Armenian culture. The galleries in Watertown (Boston) are open Thursday through Sunday 12:00 to 6:00.

Governor Maura Healey Declares April Armenian American Heritage Month

Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has proclaimed April as Armenian-American Heritage Month and urged all residents of the Commonwealth to participate fittingly in its observance. We think that translates into, Visit the Armenian Museum in April!

The official proclamation was initiated by high school student Anahit Marutyan, and we could not be more proud of her accomplishment.

The following is a few excerpts of the proclamation:

Armenian-Americans have made significant contributions to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of Massachusetts, enriching the state with their traditions, values, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The initial migration of Armenians to the United States occurred due to the horrific large-scale massacres of the Armenian population by Sultan Abdul Hamid. During the Armenian Genocide, 1.5 million people were killed, deported, or forcibly converted. Armenian migration to Massachusetts continued after World War II and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The early Armenian settlers sought physical safety, freedom, and liberty of conscience, which has empowered them and their descendants to prosper for generations.

In acknowledging the enormous challenges and sacrifices the Armenian people faced over these years, we reaffirm that the Armenian culture is an integral part of American culture, with strong influence across all spheres of life.

City of Watertown Names March 1st as Arshile Gorky Day

The Armenian Museum of America is joining Watertown’s Public Arts and Culture Department and a coalition of prominent organizations to honor the life and work of Arshile Gorky, a pivotal figure in the birth of Abstract Expressionism in the U.S.

(L-R) Watertown Public Arts and Culture Planner Liz Helfer, Executive Director Jason Sohigian, and 100 Years of Arshile Gorky Committee Leader Jack Dargon after the reading of the petition at City Hall

After surviving the Armenian Genocide of 1915, Gorky arrived in Watertown in 1920, joining the wave of Armenian immigrants seeking refuge. He lived in Watertown until 1925 before moving to New York City. Gorky's contributions to art are immeasurable, and his influence continues to shape contemporary art today.

In recognition of his contributions to the art world, his Armenian roots, and his lasting connection to Watertown, the City of Watertown has named March 1st as Arshile Gorky Day. The following proclamation initiated by Councilor Nicole Garner was adopted by the City Council:

WHEREAS, Arshile Gorky, born Vostanig Adoian circa 1904, is regarded as one of the most

influential artists of the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, Gorky’s innovative art, marked by emotional depth and a unique blend of personal

history and universal themes, profoundly shaped the development of modern art with his unique

fusion of abstraction and surrealism; and

WHEREAS, Gorky’s Armenian heritage, shaped by the trauma of the Armenian Genocide,

profoundly influenced his creative vision; and

WHEREAS, Gorky arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts, a town with a strong Armenian

community, on March 1st, 1920; and

WHEREAS, Gorky became a significant figure in the cultural and artistic life of the nation; and

WHEREAS, Gorky’s struggle with personal hardship, and his resilience in the face of adversity

have made him an enduring symbol of artistic perseverance and vision; and

WHEREAS, Gorky’s legacy continues to inspire and enrich Watertown, serving as a testament

to the power of art to transcend boundaries and tell stories of resilience;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City of Watertown hereby proclaims March

1, 2025 as Arshile Gorky Day in honor of his contributions to the art world, his Armenian roots,

and his lasting connection to Watertown.

The 100 Years of Arshile Gorky Committee is led by local resident Jack Dargon and Public Arts and Culture Planner Liz Helfer, in collaboration with the Armenian Museum of America, Mosesian Center for the Arts, and the Historical Society of Watertown. It is supported by Mount Auburn Cemetery, the Arshile Gorky Foundation, Watertown Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Watertown Community Foundation, and Watertown's Public Arts and Culture Committee.