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.

ja XIII | Artist, Engineer & Producer

My best friend would rap and write poems for fun back in middle school. He inspired me to do the same. We’d go around battling each other and asking who had better bars. Before I knew it, I had notebooks full of raps. I did not see it as a career mostly because I was too shy to put myself out there as a rapper.  Read more>>

Stacey Kelleher | Singer/Songwriter, Producer

Music for me was my everything growing up and still is to this day. My earliest memories as a kid are dancing to music, playing my piano, learning chords on guitar, and practicing nonstop. No matter what I was going through, music was always there for me. I didn’t have a ton of friends in grade school, so I would write songs and use that as a form of communication. No one understood me the way my songs did. And nothing felt as good as writing out lyrics about whatever it was that I was feeling. That stayed with me growing up to this day, and music is still my best friend, my number one resource, and the thing that’s always a constant. Read more>>

Luísa Galatti | Actor & Producer

It’s an interesting question ’cause it was never a choice, I simply did it. I’ve been in theater since I was 9 and I never stopped. Not for once I considered not doing it anymore. I naturally get involved in ~way too many~ projects that I’m passionate about. My gut feeling has been guiding me from the beginning and I offer all my commitment to everything I do. Moving to New York was a huge step in my career – I felt like I was reborn. And it was interesting because the pandemic hit right after I moved, so the whole world was in a “pause and reset” mood and that really helped me out. Read more>>

Shaon Scott | Writer, Artist, Producer, Entrepreneur

Honestly, it chose me. When I was young I wanted to become a teacher. As a kid they played such an important role in my life and I wanted to do that when I got older. As a pre-teen I entered into a talent show and for the first time I was bit by the music bug. Three years later I made a demo with a producer and the rest is history. Music went from just being a hobby to something I loved and was passionate about. Once I got involved in music it consumed my life and allowed me to make it into the career I have today. Read more>>

Johni Demeatri | Singer/songwriter

As a singer, I was born with an everlasting song on my heart. My heart beats to it everyday. It took some time and maturity but that song taught me that creative expression is vital to my health. It’s how I live, it’s how I love and how I thrive! My gift comes from within and letting it out is what got me here with you today. Read more>>

Briana Avalos | Creative Body, Mind, & Soul

Honestly, it wasn’t even a decision. I have always been a creative person, starting from a very young age. I knew for sure I really wanted to pursue a creative career my sophomore year in high school. I stopped playing soccer and suddenly had all kinds of time on my hands, and I spent it on my art. I won an award for a piece I created, and that really was the moment where I was like, “Woah, I think I can really do this!” I love the fluidity and subjectiveness of creative work. Read more>>

Justin Walker | Tattoo Artist & Creator

In my mind, that was the only option. I’ve been drawing since I was in kindergarten, so that’s all I know. I didn’t specifically know what job I wanted, though. I just knew that I wanted a career where I could consistently draw & be creative. Read more>>

Rufina Madeleine Lusida | 3D Animator/ Previs artist

I was always told I was good at drawing, so I knew I wanted to pursue art. However, I had never thought I could pursue animation as a career. I grew up in a family of doctors and engineers, so working in the entertainment industry had never crossed my mind. In my country, Indonesia, people who are good at art mostly choose architecture as an art career, so I took architecture as my undergraduate major at the University of Washington in Seattle. After joining an internship and learning more about architecture, I felt certain I did not belong in that world. Read more>>

Abigail Raiford | Classical Soprano

It’s a family business! Both of my parents were classically trained singers and performing extensively in New York City throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s. I grew up loving things like the Ingmar Bergman film of “The Magic Flute” and the kids CD series “Beethoven’s Wig”, and could hear my parents practicing day in and day out. My brother and I were also carted along to numerous rehearsals and performances in some of NYC’s most beautiful musical venues. Read more>>

Sharon Cline | Voice over artist, narrator, Business RadioX host

I listened to audiobooks in the car when driving into the city, and I loved how the narrators were like actors bringing the characters to life. Since I love books, I thought I’d give it a try! Being a narrator lead to being a voice over artists, which has lead to being a Business RadioX host and producer of The Chuck & Zee Show. Read more>>

Abena Bosia | Author & Teacher

I decided to pursue a creative career because it allows me to express myself in a unique and meaningful way. As someone who is passionate about teaching, I wanted to find a way to share my knowledge and insights with young children in a way that would capture their attention and engage their imaginations. By writing a children’s book, I felt that I could create a fun and engaging story that would help children learn about important concepts like expressing their feelings and setting boundaries. Read more>>

Taylor & Orlando Brown | Floral Backdrop & PhotoBooth Rental Company

My husband and I have always shared a passion for creativity and expressing your passion through artistic and innovative designs. I especially have always been fascinated with decor and designing since I was young. We both realized that our hearts were drawn to being able to work together in a environment that was innovative, creative, expressive, and most importantly valued. We want our work to be valued and our time to matter to our clients. We strive to bring them the best part of ourselves to showcase our dedication and fulfillment in what we love doing the most. Read more>>

Tyler Morgan | Designer

Ever since I was young I knew I had a creative sense. Whenever I went somewhere like a furniture store, craft store or any place that had some kind of design in my head I would start picturing how I would recreate that item in a new fresher way. From that point on I started to do crafts of my own on a small scale until I started my journey in College. Read more>>