We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Arushi Mathur | Architect & Student Production Designer

At a very young age I knew that I had a knack for arts and craft. I would always be the first to volunteer to make charts or to decorate the class for Christmas, taking part in dramatics not as an actor but usually the backdrop design head. I was an average student, but always excelled in the creative field. Read more>>

Dante Shelly | Artist

I began my creative career as a Getty commercial photographer, where I spent several years photographing Oscar winners and nominees: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Casey Affleck, Octavia Spencer, Kate Hudson and others. My work has appeared in magazines such as Time Magazine, Teen Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, and Rolling Stone, and I am a founding partner of Greenlight Creative, an entertainment design agency. My expertise behind the lens introduced me to my passion project: ETERNAL BEAUTY – an art book about the monumental cemetery sculptures in Italy. Read more>>

JCR | Producer, Artist, Engineer, Songwriter

I’m pursuing a creative career because I feel a call to this path. Despite how frequently I fall into imposter syndrome, I recognize that there is a gift present when creating music. After having a near-death experience with cancer and losing my dad to his own cancer, there is no way I can ignore music as the powerful and beautiful channel of expression it is. Creating gives me so much joy and it means the world to hear about listeners connecting to my music. Read more>>

Danielle Ortega | Owner. Designer. Maker. Mama.

I remember being drawn to crafting and creating things with my hands since I was a child. My first-generation identity is one that I carry with me daily. It is one of the invisible identities that remind me where I come from and that the lens through which I view the world is valuable. I am a daughter of immigrant parents who made brave decisions so that I may have choices in my lifetime. Read more>>

Alen Kevorkian | CEO & Founder of LiveWebMedia

I chose to pursue an artistic career because I have a true passion for expressing myself through various mediums. Creating something out of nothing and sharing it with others brings me immense joy. Through my art, I am able to explore my emotions and thoughts in a way that is truly unique to me. The creative process itself is incredibly fulfilling and rewarding, making me confident that an artistic career is the perfect path for me to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Read more>>