By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

An estimated 1,000-plus supporters attended the Elevate Gala on Sunday night at the Fremont Century Plaza in Los Angeles that celebrated the completion of the first phase of the historic Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California in Glendale. Plans for the expansive museum include spaces for permanent and temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, learning center, demonstration kitchen, archives center and gift shop.

While much attention will be given to Armenian American heritage, the mission of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience, according to the museum website.

Sunday night’s event was attended by an assortment of dignitaries including State Senator Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, City of Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, Councilmembers Ara Najarian and Elen Asatryan and former Los Angeles City attorney Mike Feuer, among others.

A highlight of the evening was the singing of the national anthems of America and the Republic of Armenia by soprano Mariné Ter-Kazaryan. In addition to performances by Ara Dance Studio and Orkian, an invocation for the evening was given by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian and Monsignor Parsegh Baghassarian. State Senator Portantino and Mayor Kassakhian, along with Elevate Gala Committee chair Diana Timuryan and museum director Shant Sahakian, also gave messages of greeting and congratulations.

Several naming opportunities remain; anyone interested in learning more should visit the museum website at armenianamericanmuseum.org.