University of Rhode Island to Commemorate 95th Anniversary of Genocide

Issues Call for Artist Submissions

By Naomi Kuromiya

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Over one and one half million Armenians perished in the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century. Committed by the political party of the Ottoman Empire commonly known as the Young Turks, the killings and abuse occurred during World War I from 1915-18 before being renewed once again from 1920-23.

The Turkish government had grown increasingly suspicious of the minority Armenian population, and they therefore planned a deportation and extermination program disguised as a resettlement plan. The deported Armenians suffered massacres, starvation, disease, torture, and the confiscation of all their possessions. The few that survived became refugees in neighboring countries.

Today, the horrors of the genocide are commemorated annually on April 24, the date in 1915 when the terrible intentions of the Turkish government for the Armenians first came to light. This year, to mark the 95th anniversary of the atrocities, Gallery Z director Bérge Ara Zobian, an Armenian of Providence, will curate a historically and artistically important show titled “The Armenian Genocide: 95 Years Later, In Remembrance.” Carol Scavotto and the extensive staff of Gallery Z will assist Zobian in coordinating this informative academic exhibition.

Zobian was invited to produce the show in collaboration with the Urban Arts and Culture Program of the University of Rhode Island. The show will be displayed in Campus Gallery at the URI Feinstein Campus, a prominent location that guarantees a large viewing audience. In the month that it is displayed, from April 1 through April 30, the show is expected to have over 30,000 visitors, including many who don’t typically frequent galleries and museums.

Both Zobian and the URI coordinators have wanted time to celebrate Providence’s Armenian Community for some by sharing various aspects of Armenian culture and history: They are interested in acquiring artwork, artifacts, posters, objects, and photographs that illustrate home life, community life, and religious and political life in order to provide a comprehensive representation of the Armenian Genocide.

Submissions to this show are open to any and all artists, from the U.S. or abroad, and all mediums—including paintings, sculptures, drawings, photos, and videos—will be accepted.

To receive submissions forms, artists should email Scavotto at zcarol@cox.net. Pieces that reflect the artist’s impressions and understanding of the genocide are important, but the show aims equally to showcase the survival, achievements, and contributions of the Armenian culture. The exhibition will commemorate deaths but also celebrate life.

Unfortunately, a show of this great a scale is expected to be a costly venture. Due to the enormous production and operation costs, any and all financial donation and support would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to Zobian at 17 Amherst St., Providence, RI, 02909 (Memo: Genocide Exhibition).

Following the numerous other genocides of the 20th century, acknowledging and examining past episodes of violence becomes all the more crucial. As the first genocide of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide is a critical event to affirm, and the surviving culture is essential to celebrate and spread with as large an audience as possible. This show promises to accomplish both of these tasks with your submissions and support.

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