Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Roger Ribeiro | Ator

I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, my neighborhood was on the outskirts, we had no options, art came as a great opportunity to explore worlds that I had no idea about, I created wings with different possibilities, being an artist shaped my personality, having the responsibility of giant communication and giving people the opportunity to think is something too rich, I don’t know how to live without art. Read more>>

Sofia Masuda | Textile & Fashion Designer

When I was a little girl, my grandmother taught me how to hand stitch, sew and draw. I fell in love with making and creating things with my hands, so I knew at an early age, I wanted to pursue a creative career. I continued to create as I grew up and have been working in the fashion industry since I was 16. Since then, everything I have done involving school and work has revolved around my goal in becoming a designer and creative that impact my community and industry. Read more>>

Stephen Lind | Singer / Songwriter

I have always been drawn to creative “things”, even when I wasn’t sure what my outlet was going to be. I knew I had to do something that allowed me to showcase my art, and luckily I’ve found a handful of outlets that allow me to do so. Read more>>

Zohar Varadi | Director of Photography

I grew up in an artistic family. My mother is a singer and songwriter, my brother is a musician, and my father was a surgeon but did some art on the side. Although, I wasn’t pushed towards the artistic world, I have been playing music ever since I can remember and art has always been a big part of my education. I think my first taste of an art that wasn’t music was when I got into extreme sports, especially Freeride skiing and BMX riding. Read more>>

Mehdi Bennani | Production Designer & Art Director

Growing up in Morocco, I was always interested in different forms of art. I partook in extracurricular activities such as drawing, painting, acting, learning instruments, and playing different sports from around 4 years old until I graduated high school. When I was under 10, my favorite activity whenever I was home was to play make-believe. I would create different worlds, make scenarios up in my head, and play different characters. Read more>>

Britt Fabello | Artist

Art is an integral part of who I am. It was the only thing that resonated with me when choosing how to spend my days. Through my studio practice, I’m able to release the thoughts and feelings I can’t express with words. I feel most alive when immersed in my artistic groove. It’s a liberating, calming experience that centers me. Read more>>

Jackie Fang | Cinematographer & Photographer

I was a very outdoorsy and curious kid. I would spend most of my days being out with friends. I love exploring nature and discovering hidden places in town. I grew up in a generation when technology was blooming. Colored TV was becoming a household essential. I remember being obsessed with all the cartoons, shows and movies they would play. It’s quite fascinating as a kid. I felt I was entering a different world whenever I was watching something. Read more>>

Wei Han Yang | Artist

I spent four years getting an undergraduate degree in journalism, but since junior year I had become an audit student in art. The working pattern of journalism did not fit me well. The industry is about time sensitivity. It made me upset to think that a report I write will never be read a week after it is published. I had this simple wish that I could have the freedom to create things that express, or represent myself and last longer. Read more>>

Berthe Tanwo Njole | Artist

As I always say, I dreamed my life and I’m living my dream ! It goes back to my childhood, when I wanted to be a star. It may seem silly today, but that’s how I felt back then….. My mother enrolled me in the music academy at the age of 10 and I literally fell in love with singing. That’s when the adventure began; from then on, I never stopped. Read more>>

William Pierre | Artist Management & Representation

Good question. I chose to go down this route because its what my spirit was calling me to do. When your working a good job yet you fill empty inside. What do you do? Then I realize that what I was doing at the time wasn’t my calling. I wanted to leave a mark here on earth. I feel myself going down that pathway. Read more>>

Mackenzie Bakewell | Multimedia Artist & Author

Choosing to have an artistic and creative career path has always been something that I knew I would do. Since I was young, I have been making art in many forms – from journaling to technical illustration to photography and writing. The challenge for me was narrowing down my creative talents and interests to a specific field. Read more>>

Matt Klein | Former Child Star, Future American Idol

I always felt that I had something inside that made me better than other people, and I learned early on that it was my voice. I once met and sang for former presidential nominee Bob Dole while in line at a 7/11, and he told me it was selfish to keep my voice to myself. Ever since then, I’ve humbly pursued a career in the spotlight. Read more>>

Chynna Williams | Screenwriter

Screenwriting appealed to me because I have always enjoyed reading since I was a child. When I didn’t feel seen, reading books was my escapism, my safety-net. Reading Fantasy stories allowed me to be my ultimate self because there were no rules for the reader. To block out all the anxiety-inducing noise around me, I would also watch all of my favorite shows and movies. Read more>>

Judith FLEX Helle | Ballet company director, choreographer, artist

I knew already as child that I wanted to be an artist- for me it was actually a part of my “being”. My earliest memories are of drawing, painting, sculpting, creating, even when I played outside in the yard I was building and creating worlds and designs with sticks, leaves, and dirt for my dolls and toys to have as an environment. Read more>>

Neko Jiang | Freelance Illustrator & Artist

Creativity and art have always played significant roles in my life. Since I was very young, I discovered a profound interest in painting, colors, and expressing emotions. Every time I pick up a pen, it’s like entering a world where I can freely articulate my thoughts. Art has provided me with a unique opportunity to see the world through my own perspective, conveying ideas and emotions to others through imagery. Read more>>

Rachel Kim | Writer, Model & Digital Creator

Why? It was just meant to be like that and I don’t see it being any other way because I was always a creative person since I was a kid. Growing up though, I feel like I kept trying to be good at things I was just never gifted at but it was my parents who actually encouraged me to pursue and stick to my strengths (the artistic/creative field). Read more>>