Excerpt of the work by Gagik Vardanyan, Impressions of California 12, 2018. Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches. (Photo – Courtesy of the artist and Forest Lawn Museum)
Forest Lawn Museum will spotlight the creative force of Southern California’s Armenian community next year with Convergence, a sweeping exhibition running March 21–August 9, 2026.
By Melanie Hooks
Bringing together more than twenty contemporary artists of Armenian descent, the show explores how heritage, migration, and modern life intersect in today’s art.
A Cultural Lens on a Global Community
Armenians have long shaped the cultural fabric of Glendale and its neighboring cities, making the region one of the largest Armenian diasporic hubs in the world. Convergence taps into that history not by defining a single Armenian identity, but by revealing how varied, personal, and evolving those identities can be.
Curators Alina Mnatsakanian and Kaloust Guedel—working with Forest Lawn Museum Director James Fishburne—describe the exhibition as a meeting point rather than a manifesto. Mnatsakanian notes that Armenian identity is “inherently complex,” while Guedel emphasizes that the show celebrates connection without insisting on uniformity. Fishburne adds that Forest Lawn’s longstanding ties to the Armenian community make this exhibition especially meaningful.
Excerpt of the work by Rouzanna Berberian, Encoded Salt [detail], 2026. Salt on panel, 96 x 96 inches. (Photo – Courtesy of the artist & Forest Lawn Museum)
Art That Pushes Boundaries
The exhibition spans painting, sculpture, video, photography, and experimental media. The works range from bold abstraction to conceptual installations, each offering a different angle on memory, technology, migration, and cultural inheritance.
A few highlights:
- Gagik Vardanyan blends influences from Armenia, Argentina, and California into vibrant, energetic paintings shaped by his global journey.
- Zadik Zadikian transforms gold and plaster into monumental, brick-like forms that feel both ancient and futuristic.
- Rouzanna Berberian merges circuit-board patterns with motifs from Armenian rugs, revealing unexpected parallels between traditional craft and digital design.
They are joined by a wide roster of artists—including Charles Garabedian, Nina Katchadourian, Ara Oshagan, Aram Saroyan, and many others, several of whom will debut new works created for the exhibition. A free digital catalogue will accompany the show.
Excerpt from the work by Zadik Zadikian, Path to Nine, 2026. Plaster and gold, 12.5 x 10 x 7 feet. (Photo – Courtesy of the artist & Forest Lawn Museum)
Opening Night Celebration
The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, March 21, from 5:00–7:30 pm at Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale. The event will feature complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, along with a DJ set by Bei Ru, the Los Angeles–born musician known for blending electronic soundscapes with Armenian and Middle Eastern influences. Admission, parking, and accessibility accommodations are all free.
Guests may RSVP via email, phone, or the exhibition webpage.
Exhibit: “Convergence: Contemporary Artists of Armenian Descent” Saturday March 21 - August 9, 2026 Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Opening Reception: RSVP Requested Saturday, March 21 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Location Forest Lawn Museum 1712 S Glendale Ave. Glendale, CA 91205
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