Folk Art Museum: A Celebration of Armenian Creativity

The Folk Art Museum, officially named after Hovhannes Sharambeyan, is a cultural haven located on Abovyan Street in Yerevan. Established in 1978, its roots trace back to the 1930s with the establishment of the Folk Art House by ethnographer Habetnak Babayan. The museum's mission is to preserve, study, and popularize Armenian folk art.The museum boasts a collection of approximately 12,000 items, offering a comprehensive view of Armenian folk art's evolution. Exhibits include wood carvings, stone engravings, metalwork, ceramics, embroidery, miniatures, carpets, rugs, and paintings. The museum highlights the work of self-taught artists, particularly within the Painting and Applied and Decorative Arts sections. The building itself, designed by architect Varazdat Arevshatyan, is a two-story structure made of smooth tuff, adorned with pilasters and ornamental capitals.Visitors can explore the diverse artistic traditions of Armenia, witnessing the skills and creativity passed down through generations. The museum not only preserves historical artifacts but also actively promotes contemporary arts and crafts, bridging the gap between the past and present.