Gyumri is considered to be the cultural capital of Armenia. The city’s development was tragically suspended by the earthquake of 1988, but now it is actively regaining this status. Gyumri is developing, expanding, and there are more and more art spaces opening there. A direct confirmation of this is the art studio "Varem–Marem", which holds master classes in pottery and other crafts.
Mikael and Shushanik Vardparonyan, the founders of the studio, actively contribute to restoring Gyumri’s title of "art city". Everyone can come to "Varem-Marem" without age restrictions. Master classes in ceramics and various exhibitions of Gyumri craftsmen and artisans are held there, on 2 Achemyan Street. You can also buy souvenirs made in the art studio.
In "Varem-marem," every square centimeter is made with feeling . Mika and Shushi have invested all their strength and resources, their heart and soul into this project, because they want people to be inspired and create. The workshop was originally conceived as a place where people could come and do what they love. For example, there is an artist, who does not have space for drawing – so they can come to the art studio and paint all day.
The art studio "Varem-Marem" opened in August 2021, but there has not been an official opening yet. Many people have already known about this "garage" and they come there, especially local artists and the young creative generation. Master classes and cozy musical evenings are held there. The name "Varem-marem" (in Armenian – "[switch the light] on-off") came from the legendary film "Tango of our Childhood", which was partially filmed in the building opposite the art studio, this film was watched by almost every Armenian.
Gyumri has always been famous for pottery, but after the tragic earthquake and a difficult period in independent Armenia in the 1990s, most of the population did not have the energy and time to practice art. After so many years, Mika and Shushi finally decided to develop the creative potential of this place, enabling local residents and guests of the cultural capital to realize themselves in the field of art and produce souvenirs and other products. The art studio has a potter's wheel, ceramic plates and books about art for children and adults. Various interactive events are held there in the form of concerts and creative evenings, as well as workshops on making small souvenirs and plates, so that tourists (who purchase souvenirs) can pack and take away these souvenirs without worrying about their integrity on the road .
Mika and Shushi told us about the important guests of the art studio: sculptor and teacher of the Academy of Arts Albert Shaboyan, whose work is exhibited in the art studio; musician and repatriate from Argentina Alin Demirjian, who recently performed in "Varem-Marem"; the first female DJ in Armenia Lyudmila Bilbilidi, who presented the studio a cassette with songs of The Beatles (Mika said that the development of rock and jazz in Armenia began with Gyumri, and Mika's dad was a rocker at one time). Also, the famous dog Aslan, the Instagram star, often visits the studio. For his sake, a film crew came to Gyumri to shoot a thematic report.
If you come to Gyumri and want to feel the character of this city as much as possible, then be sure to visit "Varem-Marem" on 2 Achemyan Street and enjoy the creative boom of this small, but bright and memorable art space!
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