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.

Rashad Clark | Fashion Model

Since I was a child I’ve always been very artistic. I began loving the passion for fashion since the age of 5, always putting together my clothes everyday on how I felt that day, helping other people style themselves, looking at a piece of clothing and figuring out 20 different ways I can wear this garment. The older I got, the more my love, expression, and exploring grew with it as well. Read more>>

Promys | Entrepreneur

I highly believe in being able to be as creative as you want. Art has no boundaries or no rules to it. Whatever you create in mind art allows it to show in physical form whether it be with words, using certain colors ,or materials. My creativity literally has no boundaries, I take joy in being able to use it to create designs or products that people can love and cherish. Embracing my originality and creativity led me to choose an artistic path. Read more>>

Kqueens | Artist

We were inspired by our father Frederick Francis who discovered our talent. Which he Motivate me and my sister to pursue the music career, along with Bounty Killer my mentor. Read more>>

Rah Abdulkarim | Tattoo Artist

In 2021, I had my first baby and by the grace of God he survived. When I was only six months pregnant, I went into labor causing my baby to be extremely premature. When he finally came home, I wanted to dedicate time to being with him without losing my ambition for working. However, the baby blues hit me hard, and I had to find harmony within myself. Read more>>

Adaobi Chiemelụ | Poet & Multifaceted Artist

Art makes me happy. Growing up, I found that engaging with other school kids in creative projects, rehearsing songs and plays, poetry recitals, dance and stage performances brought me a sense of purpose. Storytelling and music engulfed me. I enjoyed so much of the art that surrounded me, the storybooks, folktales and my father’s music collections. Read more>>

Brett Ryder | Musician & Artist

My mind is full of a lot of ideas and introspective thought but I am not the greatest when it comes time to expressing them through traditional mediums and I think that’s why I was drawn to music and art. I have the intelligence and drive to be anything I want; I’m getting my associate’s degree while I’m still in high school, but where I find most happiness and fulfillment is in this creative space. Read more>>

Akeem Chandler-Prescod | Poet (Barbados Poetry Slam Champion), Arts Administrator & Visual Artist

Caribbean children are often exposed to cultural forms and artistic disciplines at a very young age, whether it is through the curriculum in our schools, the community groups and churches in every parish, or the massive annual summer festivals/carnivals; we are initiated into the process of creating even when we don’t know what or why we are creating. Read more>>

Stanley Soendoro | 3D Animator

Believe it or not, I had a variety of dream jobs as a child, none of which were remotely related to animation! I wanted to be a jet pilot, a magician, and even an engineer. But growing up with access to cable television, I had the privilege of watching Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. I watched them so much that I developed muscle memory from repeatedly pressing the same buttons on the TV remote to tune into these four channels daily. Read more>>

Bethani Walton | Graphic Designer & Illustrator

Art is something I’ve always looked toward. I’ve never imagined myself doing something that isn’t art related or creative, it definitely comes naturally to me so it has always felt “right”. Read more>>