Staff Spotlight: Amir

Meet Amir, a Recreation Department Program Leader and team member since 2018. Amir is a talented creative who brings his passion for the arts to the Youth Bureau and its program participants.

He is recently taught 7-12 year-olds the fundamentals of Still Life and Gesture drawings. In this program, Amir taught participants new techniques, like shading and etching, encouraged them to practice and develop their observational skills, and introduced them to new drawing mediums like pastels and charcoals. One program participant said the class was his happy place, and another said they didn’t think they were an artist until taking the class with Amir. He is currently leading an abstract art class, and we look forward to hearing the students’ responses to the skills they learn and develop.

Amir is a great teacher whose enthusiasm for young people’s artistic development is evident in every session. Amir’s love of fine art, especially drawing, began at a young age, and he went on to study art at Ithaca College, which is where his appreciation for portraiture and abstraction developed.

The Youth Bureau isn’t the only place that recognizes Amir’s talents. Some of his artwork was shown at Ithaca College’s Handwerker Gallery, as well as a local art exhibition!

Not only does Amir have a talent in the visual arts, but he also plays guitar. Before YB staff went on furlough last year, Amir began a series of virtual guitar lessons, where he recorded a lesson that was uploaded to our YouTube channel. In addition to the guitar lessons he offers to the community, Amir has played as the lead guitarist in local bands at both the Ithaca Festival and Rock the Arts Festival.

Amir finds fine art to be a great source of inspiration and hopes that he can share that with Rec program participants. He knows there is a true and positive impact on the children and families that participate in Rec programming.

“I believe Rec Department staff are truly committed to making sure that the families that participate in our programming are afforded the best experience possible,” Amir said.

Please join us in celebrating Amir and the many talents he shares with the youth and families of the Youth Bureau!

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