Roger Kupelian Presents “30+: A Cinematic Retrospective” at Glendale’s Armenian Arts Center

Glendale, CA – May 12, 2025 – Acclaimed artist and filmmaker Roger Kupelian welcomes art lovers and film enthusiasts to “30+: A Cinematic Retrospective,” a vibrant solo exhibition celebrating over three decades of his creative work in fine art and cinema. Hosted at the Armenian Arts Center, 250 N. Orange Street, Glendale, CA 91203, this immersive showcase runs June 6–8, 2025, with an intimate artist talk on June 8 at 5:00 PM.

Roger Kupelian, an immigrant from Sierra Leone now based in Los Angeles, found his passion for storytelling through his father’s work as an author and a rich tapestry of influences, including his Armenian heritage. Before becoming a celebrated visual effects artist and matte painter, Kupelian worked as an embedded war zone documentary filmmaker, capturing raw human stories that shaped his artistic vision. His career in film includes pivotal contributions to beloved projects like the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the iconic Space Jam, and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. As an independent filmmaker and graphic novelist, Kupelian continues to craft compelling narratives through short films and innovative storytelling.

“30+: A Cinematic Retrospective” weaves together Kupelian’s remarkable journey, featuring:

• Evocative fine art paintings and sketches inspired by his Armenian heritage and cinematic imagination.
• Rare concept art and matte paintings from blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings, Space Jam, and Alice in Wonderland.
• Recent independent projects, including short films and graphic novels exploring myth and history.
• Exclusive movie memorabilia and signed copies of his graphic novels, available for purchase.

The exhibition closes with an artist talk on June 8, where Kupelian will share insights into his creative path, from war zones to Hollywood to personal projects, followed by a Q&A.

Event Details

• Date/Time:

Friday, June 6, 2025 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 2:00 – 6:00 PM

Sunday , June 8, 2025 | 5:00 PM (Artist Talk | free with entry)

• Location: Armenian Arts Center, 250 N. Orange Street, Glendale, CA 91203
• Contact: http://armenianarts.com/ or [email protected]

“This exhibition is a chance to share my love for storytelling through art,” said Kupelian. “I’m grateful to connect with the Glendale community at the Armenian Arts Center, a space that celebrates creativity and culture.”

The Armenian Arts Center, a vital part of Glendale’s cultural landscape, provides an ideal setting for this inspiring showcase. Join us for a celebration of art, cinema, and storytelling.

Join us at Armenian Arts for Karine Vardanyan and You, On the Other Side—a unique exhibition exploring the delicate interplay between nature and abstraction. Karine Vardanyan brings a fresh perspective to contemporary art through her striking abstract collages made with sea shells, each piece capturing emotion, texture, and memory from both land and sea.

Day/Time: Friday, May 30, 2025 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Day/Time: Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 2:00 – 6:00 PM 

This show is about resilience, hidden talent, and the power of rediscovery.

Sarkis Alvandi, spent decades providing for his family, creating art in the quiet moments between long hours as a cab driver.

His work was hidden away—literally in the trunk of his taxi—until it was uncovered years later.

At 80 years old, it’s time for the world to see his masterpieces spanning more than 350 Original works.

Day/Time: Friday, March 28, 2025 from 7:00 PM till 10:00 PM

Day/Time: Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 3:00 PM till 6:00 PM

Collections of a Cab Driver: The Art of Sarkis Alvandi

For over 45 years, Sarkis Alvandi has navigated the streets as a taxi driver, weaving through the pulse of the city while carrying thousands of passengers from one destination to another. But between the honking horns and fleeting conversations, Sarkis found something rare—stillness. In those quiet moments of waiting for the next fare, he turned to pen and paper, capturing the world through his own lens.

What began as doodles on the back of trip logs evolved into a vast collection of over 200 intricate and deeply personal artworks. Each piece is a snapshot of a moment, a reflection of a story told in passing, a vision shaped by decades of encounters, emotions, and the unseen beauty of everyday life.

A Journey Through Ink and Imagination

Collections of a Cab Driver is more than an art exhibition—it’s a visual diary of a working man’s journey, an odyssey of lines and patterns that capture the soul of a city in transit. Through Sarkis’ artwork, viewers are invited into the hidden world of a cab driver, where every ride is a new experience, every face a fleeting muse, and every street a canvas for reflection.

From the Driver’s Seat to the Art World

Sarkis’ pieces are raw yet refined, inspired by the perspectives only a taxi driver can witness—the solitude of empty roads at dawn, the electric buzz of city nightlife, the quiet moments of contemplation in rearview mirrors. His work is a testament to the beauty found in the in-between spaces of life, a reminder that inspiration often lives in the places we least expect.

Now, for the first time, Collections of a Cab Driver brings together this lifetime of artwork—a collection born on the streets, shaped by the rhythm of the city, and shared with the world.