The Third Annual Blen Art Show is here bringing you the latest and best works of local and international artists! In line with Blen’s goal of promoting visual arts, this year’s show is dedicated to celebrating the life of a great artist, Skunder Boghossian, who was a masterful artist and professor of Art. Everyone at Blen hopes that you enjoy all the hard work in making this year’s show a reality.

First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the financial contributors of this show: Mike, Alex, Eliab, Niko and Leul. Most of all, I would like to thank them for the unconditional support and believing in the dream. I would also like to thank my circle in the art community (art lovers and advertisers included) that helped me promote this show and pitched in their ideas. You have been my inspiration in making not only this show, but also the past two annual shows happen.

My great appreciation also goes out to Esseye Gebremedhin of Debre Haiq Ethiopian Art Gallery (www.ethiopianart.org) for being the mentor and energy behind all of Blen art shows. My personal deepest gratitude to the mother of this particular show Selamawit Legesse for taking this project with full dedication and making all the sacrifices she has made to make this show a reality, including sleepless nights of hard work. Although the list is incomplete, I am indebted: to Azeb Mengistu, Mike Endale and Nolawi Petros for their unconditional morale support, to Hiruy, Markos, Brook and Salem for giving their precious time and editing at no charge.

Last but not least, I would like to thank all the artists that participated in this show. Together, we will conquer and realize our dreams!

Ephrem M. Girma