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.

Nicholas Chissus | Director/Writer

This is going to sound extremely conceited but I never really had a choice. As long as I can remember I was obsessed with movies and knew that if I didn’t pursue some kind of related career, I would never be satisfied. Actually, I never really thought of it as a viable career but instead a passion to center my life around. I didn’t start considering as a legitimate way to make a living until recently, after moving to Atlanta and entering into the grad program at SCAD. To be totally honest, I still don’t. This is why I rely mostly on my day job for steady income, working at a rental house, while taking as many production gigs on the side as possible. However my main focus now coming out of film school is developing and producing my own projects, one of which will be shot this Spring. Read more>>

Carol Mitchell | Author, Educator, & Editor

Today, I am the author of eighteen books for children and one adult novel (to date), What Start Bad a Mornin’, and the founder of a publishing company, CaribbeanReads Publishing. I came to my current career in creative writing fairly late in life. My first lines of work after my first degree were in finance and IT, both creative pursuits in their own way. Up to that point, I’d written a lot of short stories and enjoyed writing fiction, but I never considered writing as a career path until I wrote my first children’s book in 2007: Adventure at Brimstone Hill, set on the island of St. Kitts. Like many children’s book authors, I wrote the books that I wish had been available when I was a child and books that I wanted my children to read. Read more>>

Natasha Trinidad | Actress and Recording Artist

I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career because that’s something that’s always been a part of me. Since I was like 4 or 5 years old I was writing my own songs, I played the violin, trumpet, drums, I was singing at assembly’s, even my high school graduation. I was even acting, directing and editing my own funny videos with my cousin. Read more>>

Salvatore Perigio | Artist/Producer/Engineer

Being an artist is the only thing I ever seen myself doing! I’m very experimental. From the technical aspects of making the sonics different than anything else out there, to the artistry of making something out of nothing. It’s something that’s just completely satisfying when you come from nothing to final product! Read more>>

Liana Spells | Fashion Designer and creator

Honestly I always been into arts since a kid. Art class was my favorite, drawing was definitely a thing and therapeutic for me. It’s honestly the best way I can express myself without talking and the best way I feel I can connect to myself as well with others. Truly just love and an ah with creative expression in general very fascinating and genius like to me. Read more>>

Tim Colee | Actor & Teaching Artist

I have always had a passion and love for storytelling and shared human connections. I was born and raised in the small historic town of St. Augustine, Florida. A place where history and storytelling is mixed together every where you look and perhaps that’s where it started. As a kid, I spent every Easter Sunday watching the local afternoon parade, and at the start of it they would always have a group of people dressed in 16th century clothing waving riding horses and I remember asking my parents if I could be a part of that when I got older. I first found acting through that local reenactment group called The Easter Festival Royal Family. And after my time with them, I saw my very first play, put on by my high school’s theatre department. Read more>>

Abby | Master Cosmetologist and CEO of MIHI Makeover Llc

I pursue an artistic/creative career because creating is my passion. There is a sense of confidence that comes when you pour yourself out into a project and you see the manifestation of that thing. I love to see what makes me happy, make others happy, Read more>>

Ana Bernardino | Photographer & Outreach Education Specialist

I chose an artistic career because it allows me to express my individuality and creative ideas. I love adding my own spin onto editing photos because everyone has a different perception of the word “beautiful”. Changing an ordinary photo into an entirely different version is exciting. This also allows me to meet different people and hear their stories. I have the opportunity to look for new scenery as well. Read more>>

Streets Soprano | Rapper

I believe in myself as much as God makes me. There’s nothing else I love more to do in life. Read more>>

Deonte’ Bolden | Filmmaker, Playwright, Writer, Producer, Director, Award-Winning Author, Songwriter, and CEO

In the aftermath of my brother’s untimely passing, I found solace in an artistic path, transforming grief into creativity. Battling depression and suicidal thoughts, writing and storytelling became my therapeutic journey, a divine revelation guiding me to my purpose. Despite years of rejection and disappointments in forging connections, I took charge of my destiny, establishing a production company, and creating my own community and opportunities. Read more>>

Brittany McVicker | Actor

Choosing an artistic and creative career is like following a calling for me. I’ve always found joy in expressing myself – It can even be therapeutic. It’s not just about the stage lights; it’s about telling stories, connecting with people, and sparking emotions. Acting, in particular, became my passion because it’s a way to live a thousand lives in one. I love how it challenges me, pushes boundaries, and brings stories to life in a way that words alone can’t. It’s my form of magic, and I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire and unite us. Read more>>

Fox Shante’ | Writer, Director and CEO of Yellow Fox Media

I have been a creative my entire life. I don’t think I chose a career in the arts, I believe a creative career is choosing me. I’ve actually tried running from it, for years! I went to college and garnered a degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida. I spent years working in corporate America, but I could never escape my souls yearning for contributing to the entertainment industry. Writing is my thing! Writing songs, scripts, motivational speeches, books. I just could never shake it. Like the late and great Whitney Houston once said “I can’t run from myself, there’s nowhere to hide”. So, no matter what your thing is, honor it, let it live, and the career attached to that divine gift will ultimately choose you. Read more>>