For more than six decades, Sarkis Alvandi spent his days behind the wheel of a taxi, transporting passengers from one destination to another. Like many immigrants who come to America seeking opportunity, he put his personal ambitions aside to focus on providing for his family.
Yet even while working long hours as a cab driver, Alvandi never abandoned his passion for art.
“This is 60 years,” Alvandi said, reflecting on a creative journey that began decades ago.
While waiting for customers between fares, he found a way to keep his dream alive. Armed with nothing more than a pen and paper, he filled idle moments with sketches and drawings.
“When I was waiting for the customers in the taxi, I didn’t waste the time,” Alvandi said. “I started to do [art].”
What began as simple doodles on the backs of trip logs gradually evolved into a remarkable body of work. Over the years, Alvandi created more than 200 intricate and deeply personal pieces, documenting his imagination, experiences, and artistic vision.
“When I find pen and paper, I started to do that,” he said.
For years, however, much of his artwork remained unseen. The collection was tucked away—quite literally in the trunk of his taxi—hidden from the public and even from many who knew him.
It was only after his daughter encouraged him to share his work that Alvandi began exhibiting his art. Today, his collection has become a source of inspiration for audiences across the country.
His exhibition, “Collections of a Cab Driver,” serves as both an artistic showcase and a visual diary of a working man’s journey. Through his drawings, Alvandi tells a story of perseverance, sacrifice, and the enduring power of creativity.
His work has been exhibited in Miami, New York, and throughout California. Most recently, it was featured at the Center for Armenian Arts.
For Stephan Partamian, founder of the Center for Armenian Arts, Alvandi’s story is as remarkable as the artwork itself.
“In Sarkis’s case, it is his age,” Partamian said. “At the age of 80, he is pursuing becoming an artist.”
Partamian says the mission of the Center for Armenian Arts is to provide a platform for Armenian artists and encourage them to continue creating regardless of where they are in life.
“At the Center for Armenian Arts, we present Armenian artists,” Partamian said. “The purpose is to encourage creation. As artists, they have to create.”
Alvandi’s journey resonates far beyond the art world. His story reflects the experiences of countless immigrants who put their dreams on hold while building a life for their families. It is also a reminder that passions do not expire with age.
At 80 years old, Sarkis Alvandi is finally receiving recognition for a talent he quietly nurtured for decades between taxi fares.
His story offers a simple but powerful message: no matter your circumstances, it is never too late to pursue your dreams.
