Western Diocese

On February 15, 2008, six young Armenian artists displayed their works at an art exhibition at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. * Arpine Aleksanyan was born in Armenia in 1985. She and her family immigrated to the United States in 1990. * Arpi Baghdasaryan was born in Armenia in 1983 and moved to the United States with her family in 1996. * Harout Demirchyan was born in 1985 in Armenia. He and his family moved to the United States in 1998. * Arpine Shakhbandaryan was born in Armenia in 1981, the very same year his family moved to the U.S. * Armen Tutundzhyan arrived in Glendale, California, in 1988. * Polet Zrgarian was born in 1987. She was raised in Germany and then moved to the United States along with her family. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in an interview with the Glendale News-Press stated that “Faith should be reflected in art, culture and other community activities.” He added that every single aspect of community life should be organized in such a way that inspires people. In explaining his support for the young artists, the Primate stated: “The Diocese is the center of the Armenian Church, and it is also important to see faith incorporated into the arts” (First-class students, Glendale News-Press, Feb. 13, 2008).