Our next lot - Dinner with Mark Grigoryan

(more lots: https://armeniaforkids.am/auction#art)

A private dinner and conversation at Asador restaurant in the heart of Yerevan with Mark Grigoryan, author of Yerevan: Biography of a City — a book that explores the Armenian capital far beyond the scope of any guidebook.

Spend an evening in the company of the journalist and writer whose deep connection to the city is both personal and intellectual. The grandson of the architect Mark Grigoryan, who designed the Matenadaran, he brings a rare, layered understanding of Yerevan: its hidden courtyards, forgotten stories, enduring legends, and the myths he most enjoys challenging.

This is a chance to meet the person who set out to tell the story of the city itself. Over dinner, the conversation will unfold naturally, moving through Yerevan’s past and present, its characters, contradictions, and transformations.

Expect a warm, informal, free-flowing evening — the kind of gathering where Yerevan gradually reveals itself through the eyes of someone who has spent a lifetime listening to it.

The Setting

The dinner will take place at Asador, one of Yerevan’s leading restaurants for steak, crab, and fish. Located in the city centre, Asador is also a partner of the evening and will host the table for this special experience.

We're proud to introduse you one of our auction lots!

Yerevan — City of Love

(more lots: https://armeniaforkids.am/auction#art)

Acrylic, markers, pastel, pencil, mixed media on canvas

80 × 80 cm

About the Artist

Karine “KARISHOK” Dulyan is a contemporary artist based in Yerevan, Armenia. Trained as an architect and urban planner, she spent nearly two decades working in architecture before dedicating herself fully to painting.

Her work has been exhibited in Armenia, Georgia, and the United States, including recent solo exhibitions at the Arts Club of Washington, the Embassy of Armenia in Washington, D.C., and the Armenian Arts Center in Los Angeles. At the heart of her artistic practice lies an ongoing exploration of cities, human connection, and the ability of art to bring people together.

About the Artwork

The project Yerevan — City of Love began with a simple question: what would happen if an artist invited the residents of a city to become co-authors of an artwork?

Karine Dulyan created three large paintings inspired by Yerevan and then invited anyone who wished to contribute their own drawings, thoughts, wishes, and stories directly onto the canvases.

What happened next exceeded all expectations.

People approached cautiously at first. Many admitted that they had never drawn before and could hardly believe they were being invited to leave their mark on the work of a professional artist. Yet within minutes, hesitation gave way to curiosity, joy, and creative excitement.

The canvases gradually filled with people, animals, flowers, houses, declarations of love, dreams, wishes for peace and happiness. Strangers exchanged ideas, encouraged one another, and together created a surprisingly warm and generous space.

Perhaps most touching of all was the nature of the contributions themselves. Nearly every drawing and message expressed kindness, hope, affection, gratitude, or humor. The city seemed to reveal the version of itself it aspired to be.

Among the participants were beloved actor Mikayel Poghosyan, artist Gagik Ghazanchyan, Deputy Director of the Armenian Chamber Music House Armen Sukiasyan, along with dozens of other residents of Yerevan from different generations and walks of life.

Why This Work Is Unique

This is not simply a painting.

It is a fragment of one joyful day in the life of a city.

The work preserves the traces of dozens of people who, for a brief moment, became co-authors of a shared artistic gesture. Their drawings, wishes, jokes, declarations of love, and small personal stories remain permanently embedded within the surface of the artwork.

Each panel of the triptych is therefore both an original work by Karine Dulyan and a unique document of a rare collective creative experience — an experience built on trust, openness, imagination, and human warmth.

You can find the partners who have supported the project and the Charity Evening on our website. And the list is updating!

Join us and stay tuned for the latest news!

armeniaforkids.am

Tickets are already available at https://armeniaforkids.am/

Dear donors!

The Yerevan for Kids team continues its large and important fundraising campaign — raising funds for the construction of a modern children’s playground in the city of Stepanavan. Every child deserves a safe and happy place to play, where friendships are born and little dreams come true.

To support the fundraising campaign, we are organizing a charity evening in Yerevan.

When: June 17, 7:00 PM

Where: AI9

What awaits you:

• A cozy buffet, wine from our partner Tushpa Wines, and pleasant networking;

• Entertainment program and live music;

• Charity auction.

All proceeds from ticket sales and auction lots will go toward the construction of the playground in Stepanavan.

We will soon announce ticket sales for the event. Stay tuned for updates!