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.

McKenna Rowe | Singer, songwriter, composer

For me it’s not really a “choice” but a calling that I can’t ignore. I will be creating music until I’m just too old to function anymore. Like the vast majority of artists, I have a day job to support myself and to help fund the marketing of my music. Read more>>

Joseph Santos | Photographer & Graphic Design artist

From the very early years of my literal existence I’ve consumed so many forms of art. Whether it was standing 5 inches away from the tv in a diaper watching movies, competing in dance competitions growing up, acting and doing set design in community theaters, I’ve always had a heavy hand in art. As i grew and changed I discovered my super power for creating something out of nothing. Seeing so many beautiful displays of others artistic endeavors just propels me to contribute my own. Finding my voice and how i can apply it to the world artistically excites me. Life just has so much meaning when you have something to give back. Read more>>

Nick Lanny | Stand Up Comedian

I love creating things, and stand up comedy is one of those mediums where people can receive joy through laughter. Read more>>

Emily Weiser | HairColorist

I chose to work in the Beauty Industry because it just made the most sense. My mom took me to nearly every single one of her hair appointments growing up so I fell in love with the culture/ fragrances / chemicals/ /transformations etc. My dad made custom furniture and worked with his hands and I thought that was also just the coolest thing. Working behind the chair allows me to create with my hands in a salon environment that feels nostalgic and familiar. Read more>>

Mingxin Cheng | Graphic Designer & Illustrator & Animator

Growing up in Shanghai, China, I was profoundly influenced by my grandfather, an optimistic man who gave me all his love. His encouragement allowed me to explore various forms of self-expression, be it through words, music, or drawings. Music, in particular, played a pivotal role in inspiring my art. The abstract nature of musical expression allowed me to delve into the depths of my emotions and feelings, teaching me to perceive the world in a profoundly sensory way. I believe that we are born as blank pages, and it’s the people we surround ourselves with, the relationships we forge, the adventures we embark upon, and the memories we create that shape the diverse points of views. Read more>>

MelimeL | Creative Artist & Mompreneur

I didn’t so much pursue a creative career, but more so like a creative path chose me. I was always artistically inclined as a child; whether it was my curiosity in music, dance, acting, writing or love of color. I naturally gravitated to artistic expression, so it is not surprising that I grew up to eventually become a graphic designer and beyond that, explore creativity as an active practice of my work in general. As a Creative Artist, I have the opportunity to engage in the act of creating art from a place of passion and purpose. Art’s essence lies in imagination, exploration, curiosity, inspiration, and innovation, qualities that are accessible to all of us. There is a sweet freedom and magic in being an artist that I fully enjoy and see myself always being in the thick of it. Read more>>

Zenon Samuels | Director, Writer, Producer, Videographer, Photographer

I think everyone has a bit of creativity in them…it just takes a little chutzpah to do something with it! For me, I like to make films and tell stories for people who may not always have a voice, to entertain people and to challenge current ideas in society. It’s even more exciting when we get the chance to collaborate with others who may offer some new knowledge or ideology that I can learn from! Creativity and artistry is the best way we can learn to love and understand each other, to search for meaning within our own hearts and souls, and to entertain people. It doesn’t matter the budget of the project, or how famous or popular it might be…if you can reach even just one person to make them think, give them a new idea, or just brighten their day…than you’ve done your job as an artist! Read more>>

Ava Lake | Artist, Music Producer & DJ

I believe as humans we are all searching for meaning in life. As I get older and become more conscious of how my choices as a younger person impact my life now, a constant has been how magical making art feels. To me there is nothing more wild than making something that didn’t exist before you came around. I decided from an early age that I wanted to go into entertainment because truly it felt like second nature. When I was younger my mom encouraged me to try out a lot of different classes and I was able to try out activities such as hip hop dance, improv, multi-media art classes, soccer, and guitar classes. One class I got to take through a music institute in our town was a band program where I was grouped up with other people my age to practice being in a band, my place in the band was singer. Read more>>

Saira Umar | Writer & Artist

Growing up I read hundreds of books, and seeing all the different worlds and stories so vividly in my head gave me the craving to make my own, in whatever way possible. Currently, I’m working in animation and towards writing for television and novels, but for a time, I was pursuing musical theater performance; they’re very similar in how you can immerse yourself in a setting and ensemble of characters and learn from others’ experiences through it. Honestly, I don’t know if I would be able to pursue a non-creative career. My whole life I’ve been drawn to the arts, whether that be through drawing and painting, writing, or acting/singing/dancing— so even if I went down a different career path, I would still keep trying to get back to expressing myself artistically, and I think that passion for creating would take over. Read more>>

Fella Hadid | Model/Creative

Being a creative is embedded in me, creating is a way of life, my way of life. I strongly feel that It is my calling to keep on creating and extend my creative spirit and heart to others via my heart. I aspire to do more, try and explore different mediums of art and continue doing it. I feel the most connected to my higher self and it is something that I don’t fully understand yet but it feels right. The goal is to be a beacon of hope and inspiration to not just other creatives but to the world in exploring and honing that artistic side of being human, self expression and celebration through art form. Read more>>

Ed Gaskew | Character Designer | Storyboard Artist

I pursued an artistic and creative career because it’s not just a choice for me; it’s a calling that’s been ingrained in my soul since I was a child. Growing up in a broken home and being on my own from an early age it taught me the value of self-expression and resilience. I learned that creativity isn’t just a luxury; it can be a lifeline, a way to make sense of the world, and a means to overcome adversity. Through art, I discovered the magic of imagination and the beauty of transforming ideas into reality. The creative process, whether in drawing, painting, writing, or any other artistic medium, has a unique ability to bring forth new worlds, spark conversations, and provoke thought. Read more>>

Samantha Vanni | Sample & Production Developer

I undertook an artistic career because it is what make me “more real” and it is what I identify with and where I can find my belonging in the world. In reality, art is a space dedicated to us, which we carve out for ourselves, in order to feel understood and accepted (it’s a feeling). Creating is what allows me to bring joy into the lives of other people, who appreciate what I do; in this way I can make my contribution to the happiness of those in front of what I create. Read more>>

Tony Garcia | Actor

To send a message about how the world should be kinder, the negative impact that many or some to others really damage many people without realizing, I want to be the to say hey look at the things around you starting with the ants on the floor and really think why are they on the floor? Why don’t we help them. Instead of stopping their population, why not care? Then people, the people in your life are supposed to be loved/blessed then you’ll get something in return, why not care about the simple things in life. Give that picture. Read more>>

Trace Devai | Trace Devai -Singer, Writer, Director.

I pursued a creative and artistic career for various reasons- but mainly because I fell in love with Fred Astaire. I started my creative career as a tap dancer at the age of 9 years old and was immediately thrust into a scholarship program at Dupree Dance Academy in Los Angeles. I attended Beverly Hills high school and became best friends with Lenny Kravitz and we formed a band called WAVE together. After high school, I met director Kenny Ortega and through his network, I landed a part in Alice Cooper’s band signing background vocals on two world tours. From then on, I knew my destiny was to be a singer and creative force in entertainment. Being blessed with talents, I have the capacity to bring joy to a lot of people. Read more>>

Tony Soto | Producer and Drag Artist

Being a performer and a talker is all I ever really cared about doing. Even when I worked at a corporate job in Chicago it was corporate theater. I do wish I had taken a management class at some point, but here we are. Read more>>

Karyn Krupsaw | Film Composer & Orchestrator

In a word – love. I started playing piano at six years old, so I have been a musician for most of my life. I always appreciated music in general, but fell in love with film scores. Some of the first CDs I owned were soundtracks I requested for the holidays, and I would have themes from films I watched in theaters stuck in my head for weeks. As a child, however, music never crossed my mind as a possible career, so when I began considering what I wanted to do with my life I took a decidedly more conventional route with an education degree. Throughout college, however, I realized that my happiest moments were spent with my musical pursuits – voice lessons, a Minor in music, traditional Irish music courses during my semester abroad in Cork, and the school’s a cappella group. Read more>>

Tanja Geis | Artist & Designer

For a long time, I tried to do everything but pursue an artistic career. I had so many jobs in industries that were adjacent to art-making: photography book publishing, galleries, advertising, and graphic novel publishing, but there was always something missing. Something vital inside was not getting fed, and I noticed that that feeling abated only when I was making work. In some essential way, I chose an artistic career for my mental well-being. There is also another part to the answer. How we perceive, relate to, and steward the oceans and the coasts has always been a central concern of mine. I grew up in Hong Kong, surrounded by the ocean and immersed in a culture shaped by its proximity to it. Read more>>

Jaymes Butler | International Television & Film actor / writer

Why? Well I really don’t know the exact answer to that question but if I think about it , as a child I always was fascinated by performers . I use to watch ” The God father of soul” , James Brown perform and even at the youth age of 8 years I would try and imitate his performance . And as most Afro American artist I also began performing in the Church kids choir . It was my highlight every Sunday. I think over the years I forgotten what it felt like performing until High school where a wonderful teacher Mrs Daniel discovered a glimpse of talent in me. Of course throughout the years my vision got distracted and life obstacles delayed my career . I often made wrong decisions and often stumbled . There were times I wanted to give up and through it all away but somehow the thought of failure prevented me from quitting . Read more>>

Devin Hicks | Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, and Instructor

I decided on my career long before I even grasped what it really meant to have one. When I was a kid, I would hop onto the stage and dance alongside the performers at the San Francisco pier. My great grandmother once predicted that I’d be a dancer during those moments. I vividly remember begging my mom to get me into talent agencies because I was dead set on making my way to Disney Channel and TV screens. Sure, it’s probably every eight-year-old’s dream, but the urge to perform, be in the spotlight, entertain, and stir emotions was just in my nature. During my college years, I ventured into a more conventional career path, but nothing else felt right. I had a reputation as a dancer, the ability to act, a deep love for choreography, and a knack for not taking ‘no’ for an answer. Read more>>

Jenna Nimri | Actress, Poet, Writer, & Visual Artist

When life is an enigma your only options to try and make sense of it are either through art or science. I pursued a scientific research career at first so I love science, it will always be a part of me; however, art came more naturally to me since I grew up with a world-renowned sculptor as a father. I needed an answer to the meaning of life, existence, and suffering. Acting, writing, and eventually directing is a way I could study life like a test subject in a controlled laboratory. A way to test how different outcomes come from different choices. There is so much I want to experience in life, but there is not enough time to do and be everything I want to be in one lifetime, so through becoming different characters I get to live a million lives in one. Read more>>

Eric Lee | Recording & Touring Musician

I would say that a lot of that came from being around music as a child. My mother was a talented vocalist in her younger years and she was always singing while playing an acoustic guitar when I was a younger child. In fact, some of my favorite early childhood memories were with her singing and playing while holding me in her lap or letting me sit next to her on the living room furniture. That’s what planted the seed early on. From there, it was a matter of discovering what I was passionate about through the process of trying different instruments as well as having the opportunity to perform in a variety of settings while still in high school (being relegated to bar room kitchen storage rooms during set breaks not withstanding). Read more>>

Michael Stallworth | Law Student, Law Clerk & Podcast Host

5% of attorneys in the legal profession are Black and 3% are Black men. I always knew I wanted to be attorney, but I didn’t really understand the power of representation until I started creating YouTube videos about my experience. I would receive comments, emails, and DMs from aspiring lawyers asking to meet with me to discuss my path and experiences, as well as compliments on the transparency of my journey. I had no idea I would reach so many people, I just knew I wanted to document my experience in some way to reflect on how far I’ve come. It’s so easy to forget about all of the things we’ve accomplished because imposter syndrome drowns out those thoughts and accomplishments, but when I look back at my content, I’m able to see how many barriers I’ve overcome. Read more>>