2005_12 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper December 2005

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Hye Sharzhoom
December 2005
Class on Fresno Armenians to be Featured in Osher Institute
Staff Report
B arlo w Der Mugrdechian ofthe
Armenian Studies Program will
teach a special course on "Fresno
Armenians" on three consecutive
Tuesdays, March 14, 21, 28 from
3:30-5:00 PM as part ofthe Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute program at California State University, Fresno. Space is limited and
on a first come basis. Admission is
free for Osher Institute members
and $20 for the general public on a
space available basis.
Der Mugrdechian has been
teaching in the Armenian Studies
Program at Fresno State for over
twenty years and is a native of
Fresno. He has frequently taught
courses on Armenians in America
and Armenians in Fresno.
A $100,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation in San Francisco has helped fund the Osher
Li f elong Le am in g In s ti tu te at Cal i-
fornia State University, Fresno. It
will offer intellectually stimulating
learning and cultural opportunities
to people 50 and older.
The institute's upcoming programs include-topical curriculum,
field trips, forums and other educational opportunities taught by aca-
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, left,
ciate Vice-President of Contin
demies, writers, artists, and professionals. The event will include a
presentation about the institute and
the opportunity to become a member.
Fresno State's Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute (OLLI) joins 59
other Osher institutes established
since 2001 in colleges and universities in California and throughout
the country.
The grant to the Division of
Continuing and Global Education
at Fresno State has the potential for
an additional two-year renewal and
subsequently, the program may
with Dr. Berta Gonzalez, asso-
uing and Global Education.
qualify for a permanent $1 million
endowment.
Dr. Berta Gonzalez, associate
vice president of Continuing and
Global Education at Fresno State,
noted, "The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will augment and enhance the many collaborative senior programs already offered by
the university."
Dr. Shirley Bmegman has been
named director ofthe institute. She
retired as vice chancellor of the
State Center Community College
District in 2002 and teaches in the
Community College Faculty Prepa-
Garo Antreasian- His Journey Through
Time and Art	
Photo: Ara Nalbandian
L
*
i
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1M
Garo Antreasian
Zhanna Bagdasarov
Editor
His name has been linked with
the revival of creative lithography
in the United States for over fifty
years and his contributions to the
world of art are undeniably immense. Mr. Garo Antreasian's exhibit at the Fresno Art Museum
fm al ly share d his ace 1 aime d p a in t-
ings, drawings, and prints with a
Fresno audience, September 6,
2005-October30,2005.
Walking into the museum on
the eve ofthe artist's lecture,! was
immediately confronted with a
magnificent view of Antreasian's
large works. The entire museum
appeared alive with geometric elegance, which is evident in most of
his designs. While taking a closer
look at the works on display before
the lecture, one question arose in
my mind, "What could possibly
serve as the artist's motivation and
influence to create such elaborate
art pieces?" It was as though the
artist knew precisely what was of
interest to his audience because he
not only answered that question,
but also covered his life's journey.
The hour-long lecture took place
on Thursday, October 27 at 5 PM
and was immediately followed by
a reception. My question was answered little by little throughout
the lecture, yet it was the beginning
of the lecture that touched on
Antreasian's influences the most.
He spoke at length about his background, which consisted of being
bom in Indianapolis to Armenian
parents. His father was a revolutionary and his mother and grandmother were both survivors of the
terrible Armenian genocide of
1915. It was his father who insisted
on beginning a new life in America,
yet his mother and grandmother
were determined to maintain their
Armenian cultural heritage. Thus,
Antreasian was taught to speak
Armenian at home, he ate Armenian cuisine and scarcely spoke English until entering grade school.
As a young boy, he spent much of
his time reading and day-dreaming, which in turn became the crucial aspect of his later career in art.
Nonetheless, he admits that his art
was greatly influenced by the two
cultures he experienced while growing up.
Antreasian acquired his first set
of oil paints due to the exhaustive
efforts of his sixth grade teacher,
who talked his parents into investing in these instruments. His first
art-related experiences included
painting in the company of elderly
ladies every Saturday. It wasn't
until his high school years however, that Antreasian was introduced to lithography and began his
life-long efforts to try and revive it
in the United States. As soon as he
entered the John Herron School of
Art, Antreasian found better lithography equipment than at the high
school ,yet was disappointed to find
the needed courses discontinued.
Thus, throughout his life,
Antreasian would experiment with
lithography technology in hopes of
perfecting it.
After completing his BFA degree at Herron, he was offered a
teaching position there and remained for 16 years, during which
he initiated new courses in design,
advanced composition, print-making, and advanced drawing and
painting. For the next few years,
the artist made incredible progress
in regards to technology, new materials and equipment and stimulating interest among new artists.
Antreasian's big break came at the
time he was invited to join thenewly
established lithography program at
the University of New Mexico. It is
here that his works adopted a more
abstract, hard-edged and simple
approach, yet it was more demanding technically.
According to the artist, he was
also very much influenced by the
art of other cultures. His trip to
Brazil and Turkey sparked an interest in decorative and Islamic art.
This also brought about a need to
paint again, which is something he
hadn't done due to his interests in
printmaking. Retirement in 1987
allowed the artist to rejoin the art of
painting, which is something he
urged to do after a lengthy break.
ration CertificateprogramatFresno
State.
"Our goal is to put together a
program that appeals to a very vital
population and to create a community of learners. We' 11 be expanding our offerings as we gain experience in what our members want."
Membership in the Osher Institute will provide active seniors the
opportunity to participate in short
courses,discussion groups,lectures
and travel study programs beginning this fall. Members also receive free parking on campus during OLLI events, Madden Library
privileges and reduced admission
fees at Fresno-area museums.
Memberships per semester are
$45 for an individual and $80 for a
couple.
Among the fall offerings ofthe
Institute were Victor Davis Hanson
of the Hoover Institute and former
Fresno State faculty member; William Sadler, author of "The Third
Age," Dwayne Berrett on "How to
Retire TO Something—NotFROM
Something;" Marilyn Miller on
"The Importance of Fitness After
50;" and Kenneth Fugelsang,
Fresno State winemaster, "The Art
of Winemaking."
The Osher Foundation was
founded in 2001 by Bernard Osher,
a successful San Francisco businessman and community leader, a
patron of the arts and education,
whose philanthropy has affected
countless organizations over the
past quarter century.
For more information on Fresno
State's Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute, call (559) 278-0008, e-
mail sbruegman® csufresno .edu, or
see www.csufresno.edu/
ExtendedEd/osher .htm.
Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting
Professorship in Armenian Studies
Appointment: Available either Fall 2006 or Spring 2007. (Candidates must specify semester for which they are applying.)
This is a one time appointment for one semester only.
Salary: Dependent upon academic preparation and professional
experience.
Teaching Load: One course in modern Armenian studies (nineteenth or twentieth century) is required, other teaching is optional.
Instructional Level: Undergraduate
Specific Position Characteristics: The successful candidate will be
required to teach a single course in Armenian Studies in the modern
period (nineteenth century or later). Candidates should indicate the
specific course they propose to offer, including a very brief outline. In
addition, the successful candidate will be required to give three public
lectures on a single topic to be published later as a monograph. Candidates should indicate their three-lecture topic by title in their letter of
application. The successful candidate may be expected to teach in a
distance learning mode. The successful candidate will be expected to
work cooperatively with faculty and staff in the department and college.
The successful candidate may be asked to teach an additional 3-unit
course during the semester.
Qualifications: Academic Preparation: An earned doctorate.
Preference will be given to candidates with a completed Ph.D. in
Armenian Studies or a related field, and who have published books and
articles in the discipline of Armenian studies or Armenian history or a
related area.
Teaching or Other Professional Experience: The university is
seeking candidates who possess a record of distinguished publication
and research in modern Armenian studies and whose professional career
has been in university teaching or research in Armenian Studies,
Armenian History, or a closely related field. The successful candidate
must have the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff and students
from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Online application form can be found at http://www.csufresno.edu/
aps/vacancy/scl .pdf
Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter describing how
they meet the requirements ofthe position. The letter should also specify
the semester for which they are applying. A complete up-to-date
curriculum vitae; three letters of recommendation; names, addresses,
telephone numbers and email addresses for five references must also be
included with the application form. All materials should be sent directly
to:
Dr. Bruce Thornton, Search Committee Chair
Department of Foreign Languages
California State University, Fresno
2320 E San Ramon Avenue M/S - EE96
Fresno, CA 93740-8030
Phone: (559)278-7037     Fax: (559)278-7878
e-mailto: Brucet@csufresno.edu
Open Until Filled: To ensure the fullest consideration of their
application, applicants are encouraged to have all application materials
on file by: January 31,2006.
He began to draw again and his
works reached a height of six feet
and larger. It is these large pieces
of art that one couldn't help but
notice walking into the museum.
This lecture shed some light
upon aspects ofthe artist's life that
are the missing pieces to this artistic puzzle. When listening to
Antreasian's account of his journey through time, one was able to
begin to understand the way his
experiences, literature, dual cultural
backgrounds and works by other
artists, have shaped every stroke of
his brush, every choice of color, as
well as his ideas and themes.