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.

Chemine Sharpe | Multidisciplinary Artist & Author

I wouldn’t say I pursued a creative career. I would say a creative career pursued me. When something so innate is a part of you, it’s hard not to follow it through to the letter. I am fortunate enough to have been endowed with many artistic gifts, and in a way, I think, my spirit recognizes the spirit in God’s expressiveness, and so I wholeheartedly embraced it with all its facets. Read more>>

Krystal Collier | Stylist & Producer – Owner of KcStyles by Krystal

I was born and raised in Kansas City, Ks and at a very young age I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in fashion/creative space. From reading fashion magazines to watching movies I always said when I was older, I was moving to California. Seeing my dad be a business owner himself always inspired me to do the same Read more>>

Christina Lyon | Agency CEO, Songwriter & Creative Writer

I was always called to do something creative, but finding the right career path hasn’t been easy. Writing was always my passion, but I let fear and stigmas about it not being a dependable or secure field hold me back from pursuing it as a career for a long time. Read more>>

Rama Montakhabi | Actor, Artist & Activist

I pursued a creative career because it’s my passion in life and what better career to have than to do something you love everyday while getting paid to do. Being recognized for your efforts & talent is an incredible feeling! Read more>>

Kate Corcoran | Owner of Kate Corn

I honestly fee like it wasn’t my choice to have an artistic/creative career. There never was another option for me. I have always been visually creative and gotten the most joy out of life when art is involved. When I decided I was going to art school, after having no back-up plan, it just became obvious that art was always going to be in my life. Read more>>

Mark Zhu | Singer-Songwriter, Producer & Designer

Growing up as a second-generation Chinese American, I found it daunting to communicate my feelings verbally, as mental health was stigmatized in my community. Linguistic, cultural, and generational barriers didn’t make it any easier for me to get my thoughts across to my family. Plus, I struggled to fit in, so I masked my opinions and avoided speaking up. Read more>>

Shaman Marya | Virtual Production and Visual Effects Artist

I grew up in what I consider one of the golden ages of Hollywood and global cinema. I still count my formative years by the films and television shows that I watched in the 1990’s and 2000’s. To top it all, my three years in middle school were the years of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and at that point I knew, working in cinema is where I wanted to be. Read more>>

Adam Horner | Film and Television Producer

I’ve always been very creative, but I’ve always been very left brain too. I feel like I’m more center brain! Which is why I fell in love with production. Growing up I did so many creative things, which was a lot of fun, but I didn’t ever feel like I was using my full potential. When I found producing, I really found my full potential and felt as if I had found something that really plays to all of my strengths. Read more>>

Kudy Kpanlin | Woman of many hats

Because we have one life and I promise I’m not wasting it on a 9-5 where I won’t be happy. Entrepreneur life definitely has its ups and downs but I’d chose me any day, I have full control and I love the process of creating and bringing ideas to life. Read more>>

STRLING | Pop/Alternative Duo (Alex Makris & Jake Ishler)

As a duo we thought we’d break this question down into a few sub categories to better reflect us individually and us as a “team”. Alex will share some of his experience first. “I think I knew more intensely that I was meant to pursue my singing more seriously during my senior year of high school. I had a cheesy pep assembly choir solo (Bridge Over Troubled Water) and it was well received from the entire school so I clung tight to that moment. Read more>>

Sydney-Lake Bradley | Child Actor and Model

I like creating and being different characters through story telling . Acting lets me become different characters and a part of a story on the big screen. I love being on TV and in movies and I’m working hard towards a leading role. Read more>>

Khaliq Liq” | Tattoo Artist”

One reason that I pursue an artistic career is because I really enjoy creating. Ever since I was younger I would always like making things, real tangible things. Whether I was trying to fix small things around the house, or drawing something that went up on the fridge, or disassembling and reassembling whatever I could get my hands on; I just always enjoyed the impact of manipulating the physical world around me. Read more>>