"I consider color to be the main factor of an artistic work, and light as a visiting reflection of emotions and thought," Atanian said.

Sales from the exhibition, sponsored by Northridge's Association of Armenian Alumni (AAA), will benefit the university's Armenian Studies program.

The exhibition will feature music, and light refreshments will be provided. Guests will also have an opportunity to hear Atanian speak about his work.

"The AAA's goals are to present art for the sake of art, to introduce Armenian art to a non-Armenian audience, and to raise money for the AAA," said Hermine Mahseredjian, faculty advisor for the AAA.

Atanian's art intertwines and manipulates time and place and captures the emotions of human interrelationships. Filtering life through his experiences and representing it in his work, Atanian looks for inspiration in everyday life, said Atanian.

"I am very passionate about remembering where I came from and where my roots are," he said. "I consider myself an artist who stands in his own national tradition and one who draws inspiration from the universal language of art."

Atanian is a graduate of Yerevan State Institute of Fine Arts, in Armenia. His works have since been exhibited throughout the United States and Eastern and Western Europe. Atanian moved to Los Angeles in 1992. Since then, he has participated in over 20 exhibitions and founded the Atanian Art Center in Glendale, California.

His work is currently on display at the Up Town Gallery and the Soho Fine Art Gallery in the Aladdin Hotel and the Paul Joseph Gallery in the Bally Hotel in Las Vegas.

CSUN is located at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge. The University Student Union is located near the center of campus off Lindley Avenue. The event parking is free in Lot G4, off Zelzah Avenue.

The university's Armenian Alumni Association creates a forum for alumni to remain connected and involved with the Armenian culture in Los Angeles, the Armenian Studies program, the CSUN community and with other professionals.

California State University, Northridge has more than 33,000 full and part-time students and offers 61 bachelor's and 42 master's degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the fourth largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.