Email
Online Exhibit on Amaras . “Armenian Village People — A Country Kaleidoscope”
In galleries from Boston and north- photos from first trip to Armenia in 2006
Tom Vartabedian was born, raised and educated in Somerville, MA, where he was introduced to photography as a student at Boston University.
He received an opportunity through Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church of Belmont to study abroad at the famed Mekhitarist Monastery in Vienna, where he spent a year photographing the liturgical life of the priests and their environment.
Over the years, Vartabedian has cherished the diversity of photojournalism, salon printing and wedding photography, combining all three mediums into the world he loves to see.
He is retired as a staff writer/photographer with The Haverhill Gazette after 40 years. He actively maintains his role as a judge and speaker at camera clubs throughout the Merrimack Valley.
He resides in Haverhill, MA, with his wife Nancy, a former schoolteacher. They are parents to three children, Sonya, Ara and Raffi Vartabedian, along with four grandchildren.
I’ve been a correspondent for The Armenian Weekly for 50 years and still maintain a column. Also contribute stories, columns and feature material to various Armenian papers and publications throughout the United States — all volunteer — as a way of showing my appreciation for this wonderful heritage of ours.
I taught Armenian School 25 years and served as superintendent at St. Gregory Church in North Andover, MA, where I came out of retirement this year due to a shortage of teachers; also taught Armenian Language and History at Northern Essex Community College.
I served as chairman for 10 years on the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley; belong to the Armenian National Committee of America and serve as chairman of the Lowell Committee, Armenian Revolutionary Federation of America.
My current emphasis is working on a committee to promote Armenian Genocide curriculum in high schools north of Boston. We’ve been to a number of schools already with positive feedback and will continue this project through the year.
I have received a number of awards for writing, photography and community involvement. The one award I am most proud of is the Eagle Award given me last year by the Armenian Prelacy of North America for my years of contribution to the press, church and community.
Mr Vartabedian:
- Has exhibited extensively in the region
- Is a Master Member of The New England Camera Club Council where he has been selected Photographer of the Year three times
- He also has garnered numerous awards from UPI [United Press International], AP [Associated Press] and New England Press Association
- He taught photography to students in Haverhill Recreation Department