WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) recently hosted a private reception in appreciation and honor of its major donors. The celebratory evening also featured the unveiling of the updated Benefactor Wall, which is prominently displayed in the lobby of the museum.
The evening began with a cocktail reception where guests socialized and browsed the museum’s exhibits, including ALMA’s new textile exhibit on the mezzanine level. Trustee and reception chair Michele Kolligian graciously welcomed guests with heartfelt appreciation on behalf of ALMA’s Board of Trustees and staff. She thanked them for their continued generosity and enduring commitment, which has helped ALMA become the largest Armenian museum in the diaspora and a vibrant cultural cornerstone with more than 20,000 artifacts and 27,000 library titles in its collections.
Guests were then escorted to the museum’s Contemporary Art Gallery, which had been transformed into a summer garden party, to enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by chef Vicki Lee Boyajian. The wine served throughout the evening was graciously donated by Adour Tatunjian from the Tatunjian Estate Vineyards of Chile.
Haig Der Manuelian, ALMA chairman, warmly toasted the guests and thanked them for their generous and continued support since ALMA’s inception almost 40 years ago. “This occasion is intended to express our tremendous appreciation to all of you, our magnificent donors during these past decades,” said Der Manuelian. “Because of you, our supporters, your Armenian library and museum, like an Armenian Camelot, glistens on the landscape as a shining monument to our rich and venerable heritage.”
ALMA benefactor and trustee Carolyn Mugar acknowledged Der Manuelian’s expression of thanks, saying, “All too often we do not say, ‘You’re welcome.’” She also thanked him for the many contributions he has made to ALMA over the years. This led to more donors sharing their sentiments for being able to give back.
Donor Julie Der Garabedian of Wisconsin attend the private event and expressed how much it meant to her that her family’s AD1207 Gospel book Bible, which she donated to ALMA in 2005, will be preserved in perpetuity.
After dinner and dessert, guests continued to socialize and enjoy the warmth and camaraderie of the setting while browsing a diverse exhibition featuring pieces from ALMA’s Contemporary Art Collections as well as ALMA’s latest traveling exhibit, “The Armenian Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration.”
For more information, visit www.almainc.org.
Be the first to comment