As part of the Antique Rugs and Textiles Show (arts) held every year in San Francisco, the Armenian Rugs Society will host a celebration and short program on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Krimsa at 7:30 pm.

ars President, Hratch Kozibeyokian will give a thought-provoking and well illustrated talk titled, "Stop the Running Dog!" on motifs and symbolism in Near Eastern rugs and weaving.

Hratch, an expert on Oriental Rugs and Armenian weaving in particular based in Glendale, California, has been involved in the rug world the majority of his adult life. He is further known for his, erudition, good nature, and humor and actively awaits your questions and input!

The shop is located at 2190 Union Street, San Francisco 94123, just a few blocks from the Capri Motel, site of the arts event.

Hratch Kozibeyokian was born in Aleppo, Syria, and raised in Lebanon in a family with a rich tradition of weaving craftsmanship. He immigrated to the United States in 1977 to join his father. While in Chicago he worked with two Oriental Rug Companies as a restoration specialist, Klujian Rug Co. and Michael Isberian at Beloian Oriental Rug co. In 1979 he settled in Los Angeles and earned a b.a. in Cultural Anthropology from Chapman College. In 1990 Hratch and his wife Mira Assadourian established KO’Z’Craft, a workshop studio to restore and conserve hand-woven antique textiles and carpets, and an exhibit gallery in West Hollywood’s design district, Mr. Kozibeyokian also holds extensive collections of diverse hand woven rugs and textiles, Mr. Kozibeyokian often travels to curate, exhibit and lecture on various subjects of hand woven textile arts.

From 1990-1999 Mr. Kozibeyokian has lectured at the California State University, Northridge, as well as various schools, museums, cultural societies and groups of Art connoisseurs about the history of Oriental Rugs... He has published numerous papers in various publications and spoken in symposiums, conferences, collectors and designers. In 1998 Kozibeyokian joined the Armenian Rugs society and has served on its board since and on March 21, 2015 he was elected the president of ars (Armenian Rugs Society). In November 2014 Mr. Kozibeyokian was invited to disclose the history of The Ghazir Orphan Carpet in Washington DC’s White House Visitor’s Center at the congressional press conference. Mr. Kozibeyokian holds the “Best Oriental Rug Restorer in Los Angeles” award. Many magazines and newspaper articles have published articles about him including a featured article in Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune Daily Newspapers.