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.

Matt Hollenberg | Composer & Guitarist

Since a young age, I’ve been pulled towards the arts. The common business of working to pay bills to work to pay bills seemed narrow, banal and empty. . A disconnect from life more than an engagement with it. The artistic path offers an existential anchor that creates meaning in one’s life beyond what most other things are capable of offering. Read more>>

Daniel Wargo | Creator

It’s honestly just in my blood. I come from a family of musicians and being creative was always supported and encouraged. Growing up we always had to study an instrument and eventually for me that turned into a love of performing and storytelling. I went to college for Musical Theatre and have just always known that my passion and happiness comes from being able to be creative and work for myself. Read more>>

Jose Guadalupe Sanchez Iii | Interdisciplinary Artist / Assistant Professor

As a young child, I was fascinated by drawing and painting. As a result, I practiced extensively and achieved a level of technical skill that earned me considerable praise. I gained elementary-level aesthetic capital and enjoyed a great deal of friendly and familial celebration. This positive reinforcement encouraged me to continue on this path, especially when compared to my other academic pursuits, which did not receive the same recognition. I believe this set me on a strong path, reinforcing my passion for the arts, as it provided both social and personal meaning. Since then, I have achieved many professional milestones in the arts, including solo exhibitions and becoming an assistant professor of painting and drawing. Read more>>

Jason Meier | CG Supervising Producer

When I was a kid, all I was interested in was watching movies\TV\Animation and was fascinated about all of the people behind the scenes that made that thing possible. I would often take the time to read the credits even before I knew what any of those jobs were. In Highschool, my good friend Tom started making short films in Lightwave 3D and I took interest in it as well. I knew I didn’t want to go to a 4 year college so after Highschool I kept expanding my knowledge of 3D animation and around the age of 19 got my first foot in the door at a company called Foundation Imaging. After about 6 months of working there we got the bid for a 3D animated series based on Starship Troopers called “Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles” I did some animation tests for it and got placed on a team. It totally changed my life and started my career. Read more>>

Jiaqi Zhou | Marketing&content operation specialist

It’s my pleasure to be here and share my growth journey in the media industry. First of all, I’m from Zhongshan, Guangdong, a place known for its openness and cultural richness. The environment places a strong emphasis on nurturing talent and interests, so from a young age, I was exposed to various forms of art—dance, calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, piano, singing, and more. I also had opportunities to perform in places like Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau. I enjoyed the spotlight on stage, and being recognized and praised by others, which made me proud. Read more>>

Julie Zheng | Animator

Everyone has their reasons for pursuing a career in the arts, and for me, it’s about bringing vibrancy and excitement into my life. Without art, everything feels too plain and repetitive. I’ve always been drawn to how art can transform the mundane into something extraordinary. It’s a way for me to explore things I can’t express in other ways, offering fresh perspectives and endless possibilities. Read more>>

Angela Wei | Visual Artist

I think I always knew I wanted to pursue something creative; most members from my maternal side of the family are artists in various capacities, so I felt a natural inclination towards art as a child. However, for a long time I didn’t perceive being an artist as a viable career path, as there is no clear roadmap for success. Most of my college friends were going into finance, tech, design – fields with a somewhat clearly defined trajectory whereas being a full time artist felt like a great risk. While I was certainly fearful, I knew that I owed it to myself to give it a try. Art has always been the one constant source of fulfillment, expression, and comfort in my life, and I didn’t want to look back with regret. That’s why I made the decision to fully commit to my art practice. Read more>> 

Maya Marzuki Peters | Director & Production Designer

Creativity has been in my DNA since I can remember! I was sketching, crafting, and building before I even knew what those words meant. Growing up, there was never really a moment where I thought about doing something else. It wasn’t a conscious decision as much as it was an instinctual pull as I was always the kid with paint-stained fingers or glue stuck to their hands. Read more>>