Our Art & Wine Open House was an unforgettable evening of warmth, wonder, and connection. Held on May 2, the event celebrated the premier of “Armenian Letters: The Art of Identity”, a vibrant collection of illuminated letters by Armenian artist Elza Mkrtychyan.

From clinking glasses of wine to deep conversations around the artwork, the gallery was alive with curiosity and inspiration.

A Gallery Full of Meaning

Each letter in this exhibition is more than a symbol - it’s a story. Drawing on the rich tradition of Armenian miniature manuscript art, Elza reimagines the alphabet as a series of ornamental, emotional experiences.

Guests explored letters brought to life with golden pigments, birds, fish, and nature - a powerful tribute to peace, heritage, and spirit.

Returning to Her Roots

To create this collection, Elza chose to dive deeper into her heritage. She spent nearly a year at Matenadaran, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan — one of the world’s richest repositories of sacred texts and illustrations.

Immersed in ancient wisdom, she studied the delicate art of miniature painting, learning to draw each Armenian letter by hand in the same style used by monks, scribes, and artists centuries ago.

✨ "Armenian letters don’t look like any other script. They carry the soul of a people.” – Elza Mkrtychyan

Why Birds and Symbols?

In Armenian manuscript tradition, birds represent peace, eternity, and the divine. You’ll notice many letters are wrapped in birds, trees, and flowing forms - all meant to symbolize harmony and connection between the past and the future.

Each piece invites you to pause, reflect, and find meaning in its curves and colors.

Event Highlights

We opened the doors not just to art — but to each other.

A place to smile, to listen, to laugh a little louder.

To see beauty, feel stories, sip wine, and walk away lighter.

This night wasn’t just an exhibition —

it was a moment of connection,

a small spark of joy to carry home.