Avra Zhuang
Avra Zhuang is an accomplished artist and art educator with more than two decades of experience in both studio practice and teaching. Her artistic work spans a variety of painting techniques, with a particular focus on oil painting. Influenced by Post-Impressionism, her work combines expressive color, thoughtful composition, and a strong foundation in traditional painting techniques.
Throughout her artistic career, Zhuang’s work has been presented in exhibitions and museum settings, reflecting her long-standing commitment to fine art and continued exploration as a practicing artist.
Equally central to her work is art education. Over the past two decades, Zhuang has mentored students of different ages and skill levels, helping them strengthen their technical foundations, develop individual artistic voices, and prepare for competitive academic and artistic opportunities. Her students have received recognition in national and international art competitions and have gone on to attend highly regarded universities and art schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Stanford University, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
As the founder of the American Academy of Fine Arts, Zhuang has built an educational community centered on creativity, strong artistic foundations, and individualized growth. She is committed to making high-quality art education accessible to young artists and to helping students develop the confidence, discipline, and creative thinking that extend far beyond the studio.
Her work as both an artist and educator continues to shape AAFA’s philosophy: nurturing technical excellence while encouraging every student to discover and develop a distinctive artistic voice.
Ivett Henrietta Cser
Ivett Henrietta Cser is a multidisciplinary fine artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts background from Parsons School of Design – The New School. Her artistic practice spans traditional and digital media, with a strong focus on color, form, light, space, and composition. She approaches art through careful observation, exploration, and experimentation, helping students understand both technical foundations and creative interpretation. She enjoys encouraging artists of all ages to explore ideas, try something new, and enjoy the creative process.
Sparrow Wilburn-White
Sparrow Wilburn-White is a digital artist and animator based in Redmond, Washington. She holds a BFA in Digital Art and Animation from DigiPen Institute of Technology and has professional experience working with video game and tabletop studios, contributing to imaginative visual worlds and creative storytelling.
Sparrow specializes in digital art, animation, character development, and visual storytelling, with a particular interest in fantasy and mythology. She enjoys bringing these creative influences into art education, encouraging students to develop their technical skills, explore original ideas, and use art as a way to express stories and imagination.
Sparrow Wilburn-White
Svitlana (Lana) Nikitina
Svitlana (Lana) Nikitina is a Seattle-based artist and art instructor with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Decorative Arts, and Restoration. She has a strong academic foundation in drawing and painting, including figure drawing, composition, anatomy, and observational work.
Lana specializes in drawing, graphic arts, illustration, black-and-white artwork, and mixed media. She enjoys working with a variety of materials and techniques, encouraging students to experiment while developing strong fundamental art skills.
As an instructor, Lana creates a supportive, engaging learning environment. Through clear, individualized instruction, she helps students build technical skills, confidence, creativity, and imagination while encouraging each student to develop their own unique artistic voice.
Alexis Robinson
Alexis Robinson is a dedicated educator and accomplished artist specializing in children's artistic development. Holding a BA in Studio Art alongside a minor in Child Developmental Psychology from the University of Rochester (2021), Alexis has embarked on a meaningful educational path. Her teaching philosophy is centered around utilizing diverse mediums—including sculpture, fiber arts, and painting—to foster children's exploration of artistic expression through various tools and materials.
As an illustrator, Alexis excels in character development and narrative creation, employing these skills to encourage children to observe their surroundings and creatively articulate their thoughts and feelings. Committed to nurturing a love for art and creativity in young learners, Alexis is eager to contribute to your child's artistic journey.
Yuqi Wei
Yuqi Wei is a passionate art educator with extensive experience teaching students from kindergarten through fifth grade across LWSD, BSD, and ISD. She specializes in creative art, watercolor, and mixed-media projects, combining strong artistic skills with a thoughtful, student-centered teaching approach. She brings patience, encouragement, and care to every classroom. She believes every child has a unique artistic voice and enjoys helping students build confidence, explore their creativity, and discover the joy of artistic expression.
Maryam Hajjar
She is an illustrator and art educator. She holds a BFA in Painting and an MFA. Since 2003, she has held university teaching positions in the main courses of Graphic Design and Illustration at the University of Arts and Culture and Azad University in Tehran and Isfahan. Later, he joined AAFA and was responsible for illustration books and creative painting courses. During this period, she wrote and published several books on illustration, which were used as one of the main reference books for teaching in the university education system, and guest edited several publications. Her work has been exhibited in various contemporary museums and classic galleries and was selected for KAC ‘Make Your Mark’ in the United States. Her lifelong education in art and strategic thinking has shaped her into a multidisciplinary designer, media artist, and illustrator focusing on innovation and perfection.
Sami Ariaz
Sami is a skilled artist with expertise in portraiture and a wide range of oil painting subjects. Born in Peru and later relocating to Italy, his multicultural background greatly informs his artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from classical masters such as Giovanni Boldini and Diego Velázquez, Sami merges traditional techniques with contemporary themes. His time in Italy, surrounded by centuries of art striving for perfection, has profoundly influenced his approach to composition, line, and color. Whether creating portraits or other oil paintings, Sami's work seeks equilibrium between technical mastery and cultural storytelling, balancing his Peruvian and Italian heritage with modern artistic influences.
Nasima Davati
We are delighted to announce Nasima Davati's upcoming addition to our American Academy of Fine Arts team as an art teacher. With a profound passion for art and education, Nasima is poised to enrich our students' learning experience, guiding them to explore and develop their artistic abilities. Her commitment to nurturing creativity and individual expression will enhance our educational offerings.
Angela Catalina Ghionea, PhD
PhD-trained historian and multilingual educator with 12+ years of university instruction and private tutoring across History, English, Math and Foreign Languages (French, Latin, Romanian, Spanish, Italian). Subject-matter expert in European History and the history of science; designed and delivered 25+ courses both on-site and online. Expert in tutoring English courses, Exposition, Composition, Grammar, Story crafting, archival research, manuscript analysis, and curriculum design; built academic websites and coordinated interdisciplinary scholarship symposia. Inclusive, student-centered educator who collaborates and instructs effectively with patience and love.
