Tumanyan Foundation
3 Jun 2022
ABASTAN Refuge for antiwar artists & community revival
Abastan project (meaning “refuge” in Armenian) by Tumanyan Foundation to offer a safe space to migrant artists and artisans affected by the war in Ukraine and “stranded” in Armenia without jobs and homes. An old garment factory will be transformed into a creative cluster which will house artisanal workshops and artists’ studios and serve as a platform for educational and civic initiatives. A nearby hostel will be used to accommodate project participants. Vision of the project is that resident artists will work closely with the local community to help bring new life to Tumanyan, contribute to the physical revival of urban spaces, and propel the town’s economic revitalization.