Yoshihiro Youkee Nishida was born in Kyoto, Japan. After receiving a law degree from Kwansei University, he moved to the United States and pursue his true passion: art.
Asked about this unconventional career progression, Yoshihiro answers the way a true artist would: “The law is already established. Art is open – and open to interpretation – which means you can make your own path.” And the path he has forged in the art world is a unique one indeed.

At age of 27, Yoshihiro received his Bachelors of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, California. Being the passionate and driven person that he is, Yoshihiro then went on to study at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, earning a Master’s of Fine Arts in Lithography. It was at Cranbrook where Yoshihiro was inspired to take a new direction by one of his professors after receiving an evaluation about his art quality, and at 35 years old he began his journey through art.

Twenty years ago Yoshihiro moved to New York where he began full time work inside a studio. Currently, he is a part-time artist and a gardener in Battery Park City Parks. It is his time as a gardener that has most recently impacted his approach. “Art de Genki,” which means art through vital energy, is the name he now gives his work.

Over the past two decades his solo shows include exhibitions all over the world. His newest exhibition – and first in New York City – “The only Person in the vast world! Practice Accessing Vital Source through Art,” is being showcased at the Center for Remembering & Sharing. This exhibition of acrylic paintings on burlap explores the relationship between materials and the artist. The exhibition will be shown through February 6, 2018.

In his spare time, he likes to visit museums and marvel at work by Matisse, Miró, and Kandinsky, some of his favorite artists of all time. Since 2006, from April through October on weekends and holidays, he creates chalk drawings in the park. The park itself has become his studio and his canvas is the pavement. His unique designs incorporating BPC’s hex pavers are a beautiful tribute to the idea that everything is integrated in Battery Park City: gardening, art and living.

Next meeting of the BPCA Board is Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 2:30pm
click here for more information: https://bpca.ny.gov//about/board-committees/

“While much has changed over the past half century, what remains steady as a rock is Dr. King’s influence and inspiration – needed now as urgently as ever. To honor his work and memory, let us strive today and forevermore to be more decent, more loving, more hopeful of all that we can overcome and accomplish when we are united. If together we persist then together we win.”

For more information please visit: MLK50 Forward | Together We Win With Love for Humanity

The New York State Mentoring Program creates supportive Mentor relationships for students at risk of dropping out of school. This unique program takes place in a school-based setting, one-to-one between the mentor and mentee, with a school coordinator present who is selected by the principal. The program provides background checks and training for volunteer mentors and mentees.

Get involved by filling out the Mentoring Application or calling (844) 337-6304.

For more information:

The New York State Mentoring Program

State’s Former First Lady Matilda Cuomo Returns to her Alma mater to Launch Mentoring Program

Congressman Nadler’s Congressional Town Hall
Monday, January 22
6 – 8pm
NYU Law, Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012
(at the corner of Washington Square South and MacDougal Street)
Please RSVP – to help us determine crowd size.
Seating is strictly first-come, first served.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rep-jerrold-nadler-congressional-town-hall-tickets-41120297918

Saturday – Sunday & Holidays
10:15am -11:45am
12:00pm -1:30pm
2:00pm – 3:30pm
4:00pm – 5:30pm
6:00pm – 7:30pm
8:00pm – 9:30pm

PUBLIC SKATING PRICES
$15 single public session (90 minutes)
$5 skate rental
For more information click here.