Hundreds of people from across the country celebrated NAASR’s new era on November 1, 2020, with the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of our spectacular new Vartan Gregorian Building.

The crowd braved a blustery afternoon during opening remarks from NAASR’s Chairman Yervant Chekijian, followed by Ara Krafian, CEO of our architectural firm SMMA, a welcome from NAASR Executive Director, Sarah Ignatius, and then inspiring words from Vartan Gregorian himself. After world-renowned Armenian-American artist Michael Aram unveiled his Armenian Eternity Symbol Sculpture, clergy from five local Armenian Churches blessed the building, and several generations of NAASR supporters cut the ribbon.

People eagerly went inside for tours of the exquisite features of the building, while listening to music from Brian Ansbigian, and enjoying light hors d’oeuvres from anoush’ella along with Armenian white wine. During the reception, former NAASR Board Chairman Nancy Kolligian unveiled a bronze bas relief of Manoog Young, NAASR founding member and Board Chairman from 1955-2001.