The Armenian in America
A photographic journey through the Armenian-American landscap
The Armenian-American community is more than 125 years old, with a rich, evolving history that often begins with the quest for a better life and culminates in great achievements in art, science, commerce, sports, and other fields. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Armenian life in America is the community’s tenacity in the face of overwhelming challenges, a resolve that finds expression in not only hard work, but also creativity, individuality, and a unique sense of humor.
Armenian culture in America has further diversified since the 1970s, when thousands of compatriots immigrated from Armenia, the Middle East, and elsewhere, to build new lives in the Land of the Free. New communities sprung up and older ones expanded in a multitude of cosmopolitan areas, but Armenians also settled and worked in towns, cities, and regions that remain off the beaten path.
Whether establishing new roots in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas, or along the charming peripheries of city life, Armenians in America continue to put their individual stamp on the American dream. With cues from Armenian art, literature, cuisine, and crafts, they are engaged in a constant effort to contribute to the magic of America’s human diversity.
The Armenian Arts Fund believes that the astonishingly rich mosaic of Armenian life in America deserves to be fully documented, for the enjoyment and appreciation of Armenians and non-Armenians alike. To this end, the Armenian Arts Fund has embarked on an extensive photographic project that will encompass the entirety of the United States, in search of noteworthy Armenian individuals and institutions that contribute to the greatness of the American landscape.
Beginning in January 2008, community activist Stepan Partamian will travel to all 50 states of the US, to document Armenian institutions, organizations, churches, and other establishments.
The project’s itinerary is based on extensive research, which began in October 2006 and was completed in December 2007. The material-gathering phase of the project will be completed by December 2008.
In January 2009, the best photographs of the collection will be chosen for publication and the final choices will undergo editing; texts accompanying the visuals will also be written and edited . These materials will subsequently be laid out in a book form. The resulting volume, entitled The Armenian in America, will be published in early April 2009. The book is planned to be a hard-cover, large-format, museum-quality tome.
Armenian culture in America has further diversified since the 1970s, when thousands of compatriots immigrated from Armenia, the Middle East, and elsewhere, to build new lives in the Land of the Free. New communities sprung up and older ones expanded in a multitude of cosmopolitan areas, but Armenians also settled and worked in towns, cities, and regions that remain off the beaten path.
Whether establishing new roots in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas, or along the charming peripheries of city life, Armenians in America continue to put their individual stamp on the American dream. With cues from Armenian art, literature, cuisine, and crafts, they are engaged in a constant effort to contribute to the magic of America’s human diversity.
The Armenian Arts Fund believes that the astonishingly rich mosaic of Armenian life in America deserves to be fully documented, for the enjoyment and appreciation of Armenians and non-Armenians alike. To this end, the Armenian Arts Fund has embarked on an extensive photographic project that will encompass the entirety of the United States, in search of noteworthy Armenian individuals and institutions that contribute to the greatness of the American landscape.
Beginning in January 2008, community activist Stepan Partamian will travel to all 50 states of the US, to document Armenian institutions, organizations, churches, and other establishments.
The project’s itinerary is based on extensive research, which began in October 2006 and was completed in December 2007. The material-gathering phase of the project will be completed by December 2008.
In January 2009, the best photographs of the collection will be chosen for publication and the final choices will undergo editing; texts accompanying the visuals will also be written and edited . These materials will subsequently be laid out in a book form. The resulting volume, entitled The Armenian in America, will be published in early April 2009. The book is planned to be a hard-cover, large-format, museum-quality tome.
© 2008 Armenian Arts Fund, Inc. P. O. Box 287, Glendale, California 91209
