In 2009 Cafesjian Center for the Arts celebrated its grand opening. Its goal is to introduce the best of the contemporary art to Armenia and to all those people who visit Armenia and this center. In this regard, a number of exhibitions are held there. As of 2011, over 1,200,000 people visited the Cafesjian Center for Arts.
Cafesjian Center for the Arts includes several galleries:
Gallery One
Gallery one presents a variety of exhibitions from Gerard Cafesjian’s private collection. It also includes works of such glass artists like Ivan Mares, Jaromir Rybak, Pavel Trnka, John Kuhn, Herb Babcock Jan Zoricak and Bertil Vallien. There is a large-screen media display. It provides a unique area for informational videos about Armenian artists living in Armenia and abroad.
Khanjyan Gallery
Khanjyan Gallery includes mural works of Armenian painter Grigor Khanjyan (1926-2000). The primary three scenes depict most important events of the Armenian history. They are the Creation of the Armenian Alphabet, the Battle of Vardanank in 451 and the Rebirth of Armenia. This Gallery was thoroughly renovated in 2009. The east wall of the hall includes glass exhibits form Gerard Cafesjian Collection.
Eagle Gallery
This Gallery exhibits works from the collections of Armenian private art collectors. Presently it features the “Yerevan Collectors’ Choice” exhibition, which includes works from the private collections of art historian Poghos Haytayan, painter Robert Elibakian and architect Oshin Yeghiazariantz.
Sasuntsi Davit Gallery
Over one hundred pieces of glass works by most renowned Czech glass artists Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova are presented in the Gallery. The gallery has an unusual lighting, which gives a unique opportunity to the viewers to fully enjoy the beauty of the exhibited glass.
Eagle Garden Gallery
Gerard Cafesjian has always been interested in contemporary art, but at the same time has always been passionate about things, which are outside the arena of contemporary art. The Gallery houses an exhibition called “In the Mind of the Collector.” The objects presented at the exhibition might not be considered as art, but they are definitely amazing and sometimes, amusing.
Swarovsky Gallery
Swarovski Crystal Palace Exhibition opened on May 12. It features a selection of Swarovski Crystal Palace chandeliers designed by Vincent Van Duysen, Tord Boontje, Georg Baldele, Michael Anastassiades, Diller Scofido and Renfro Studio.
There is also the Museum Store. This store is more a gallery than a store. It can be accessed through Gallery One. It offers not only exclusive merchandise from around the world but also unique works by such artists as Dale Chihuly, Andy Warhol, and Isamu Noguchi. Exclusive Armenian arts and crafts can be found as well.
Cafesjian Center for the Arts also offers individuals and corporations to join and enjoy a number of privileges.
All exhibition galleries, the Museum Store and the Visitor Center are open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Opening hours are:
The visitor Center, Gallery one, Museum Center and Khanjyan Gallery are always free of charge. Exhibition galleries are not free. Adults have to pay 1000 dram, seniors — 800 dram and kids between 13-17 – 750 dram. Kids of 12 years old and under 12 can enter the exhibition galleries free of charge.
Location: Cafesjian Center for the Arts,
Cascade Complex
Visitor Center Tel.: (374 10) 567 262
Office Tel.: (374 10) 541 932, (374 10) 541 934
Fax: (374 10) 568 550
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.cmf.am/
