Family celebrates opening of new location for Roslin Art Gallery
Roslin Art Gallery owner and artist Seeroon Yeretzian at the new gallery location, 415 E. Broadway, in Glendale on Saturday, November 21, 2015. The 20-year old gallery held its grand opening ceremony on Saturday at its new location.
The creation, preservation and celebration of Armenian arts and literature is a family affair for the Yeretzians.
In 1977, family patriarch Harout Yeretzian and his brother founded a Los Angeles-based magazine, Abril, which served the burgeoning Armenian community and covered everything from local issues to the cultural, political and economic affairs of their homeland.
The magazine, which took its name from the Armenian word for “to live,” spawned a print shop, and then a bookstore, Abril Books, which has been in business for nearly 40 years.
Miniature artwork by Aram Vartanov, seen through a magnifying glass, is being displayed at Roslin Art Gallery, 415 E. Broadway, in Glendale on Saturday, November 21, 2015.
Harout Yeretzian’s wife, Seeroon, also sought to share and celebrate her Armenian heritage with the local community.
In 1995, she founded Roslin Art Gallery, named after Toros Roslin, a prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator during the High Middle Ages. For years, the gallery has served as an artistic enclave in Glendale, showcasing the works of over 100 Armenian artists, including Seeroon Yeretzian’s own celebrated illuminations and ornately illustrated Armenian letters.
The bookstore and art gallery have long stood as cultural pillars for Armenians in Glendale and beyond, and on Saturday, the Yeretzians celebrated a milestone for one and a union for both. Family, friends and supporters helped to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Roslin Art Gallery and the grand opening of its new location next door to Abril Books.
It’s a move that has long been on the family’s mind and was finally made possible by the Yeretzian’s son, Arno, who took over the bookstore after his father died five years ago.
“I think there was always that idea to join them,” Arno Yeretzian said. “It’s amazing because both of the places are very important for Armenians and Glendale, in terms of culture.”
Liza Manoyan of Montebello points out that artists, like Vachag Tersarkissian, use Armenian biblical manuscripts as inspiration for artwork displayed at Roslin Art Gallery, 415 E. Broadway, in Glendale on Saturday, November 21, 2015.
About three years ago, Seeroon Yeretzian was diagnosed with amyotrophic sclerosis, or ALS and also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The disease has crippled her movement, leaving the once prolific artist unable to do what she loves.
“I can’t draw or paint or sing anymore,” Seeron Yeretzian said, using a device that tracks her eye movement to write and give her a voice. “But I am writing three books with my eyes on a Super Dynavox device. Though I’m 64, I have lived 200 years by working day and night.”
Seeron Yeretzian said she was happy to celebrate the anniversary and grand opening, especially with her son and because she’s an artist and bookworm. The memory of her husband, too, wasn’t far from her on Saturday.
“My husband was the only [person] who encouraged me to study art,” she said.
The Yeretzians said in bringing the bookstore and gallery closer together they hope to create a cultural center for Armenian Americans, especially for the youth.
“When a young person comes here, they’re so happy to find it. There are still people pout there who don’t know about us,” Arno Yeretzian said. “A cultural center like this is lacking and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
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Brian Park, brian.park@latimes.com
Twitter: @TheBrianPark
