Vernissage

Arts and Crafts Vernissage

The French word "le vernissage" has entered the parlance of Yerevan since late 1970s. A largely dormant concrete park during the week, Vernissage blossoms during the weekend days as all kinds of national crafts, including jewelry, carpets, woodwork, ceramics, canvases, paintings, and many other works of art can be found. The spirit of art indeed alive and well, as ancient traditions and culture are reinvented and reborn each week. The Arts and Crafts Vernissage is located in the center of Yerevan at Pavstos Biuzand Blvd in front of the Armeniainformation Visitors Center. The diversity, richness, artistic quality and the fascinating juxtaposition of historic national tradition with contemporary taste are wonderful enticements to shoppers, art-lovers, or those who wish to simply take in the colorful sights.

Painters' Vernissage

A beautiful green park during the weekdays, Saryan Park transforms into an outdoor exhibition of paintings on the weekends, with artists often acting as salespeople of their original creations. The Painters' Vernissage is a cornerstone in the mosaic of the cultural life of Yerevan. Yerevan's Vernissage was established in the 1980s by Armenian artists who wanted to bring fruits of their labor directly to the people. Originally located the square in front of the Union of Armenian Artists, the Vernissage moved to the park around the Sarian Monument across from the Opera Square, an implicit tribute to the legendary painter. On week-ends, the lawns in the park disappear under rows of paintings, while people wander the corridors between them, appreciating and purchasing the high-quality artistic creations.