Arts & Culture

We are ending the third month of our commitment to sponsor the "Tsill Puppet Studio" in Gyumri. I was really impressed by their activities when I visited the Studio two weeks ago. They had so many students but not enough chairs and tables to accommodate their growing classes. We have since sent some funds for them to expand and cater to more children. The studio offers free classes to all covering a large span of topics. They teach Puppetry, puppet making, ceramics, Armenian needlework (Մարաշ/Marash), photography, and more. We had a 3 month commitment to fund the activities of the studio, I would like to keep that project going. The instructors work on a volunteer basis, our only cost is rent and utilities which come out to about $500/ month. Below I have included text (google translated) and photos from the studios post made today on Facebook.

"Today was an unusual bustle in our studio.

We had an outdoor portrait photography class, full of creative spirit and new discoveries.

Our students rediscovered each other through the eyes of photographers, studying light and shadow, facial expressions and the sincerity of the moment.

The outdoor environment became a source of inspiration, helping students understand how nature and man can harmoniously intertwine in one frame.

Such classes not only develop skills, but also form a subtle vision and feeling for art.

At the moment, 50 children are included in our various groups, who are educated with Artsakh love and spirit. Our studio operates on a charitable basis, and all our courses are completely free."