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.

Sarah Reusch

I chose an artistic career because it brings me joy and fulfillment. I love experimenting with color, textures, and unconventional methods. I create new pieces, photograph and edit the images of each completed piece, manage a website, work on marketing strategies and collaborate with others. This variety keeps the work exciting as each day brings new challenges and opportunities. When I am in my studio the distractions of the outside world fade away, creating a peaceful space for my thoughts and ideas to thrive. In those moments I can fully immerse myself in my passion and let my imagination flow freely. Read More>>

Kelsey Jordan-talhouk

I’ve always felt drawn to the arts – whether it’s theater, music, or fashion.
For me, I began illustrating at a young age, hoping to pursue a career in fashion design. I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta, prior to them closing, and never completed the program. During my hiatus, I decided to pursue cosmetology full-time. Perfecting a skill I already had. I wouldn’t change my journey one bit. Read More>>

Andrew Burn

I’ve been passionate about music and film for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was fascinated by the unique sounds each instrument could create, and I naturally gravitated toward experimenting with my guitar whenever the opportunity arose. Similarly to music, films captivated my imagination as a child. Classics like Close Encounters, Jurassic Park, Twister, The Lord of the Rings, and The Matrix captured my mind at a young age and inspired me to explore storytelling through visuals. My friends and I even made our own films with my parent’s home video camera, using a handful of props to create our cinematic adventures. My love for music sent me into the creative career path, where I now find myself on the battlefield of the film industry. Read More>>

Adam Mcintyre

This is the first time I’ve ever been asked that; I never saw a choice. Expressing myself artistically is not a hobby. It’s just the way I move through a world I perceive as also being artistic. Read More>>

Kelly Avalos

Balloon Life Chose me. It all started back in 2014 when my daughter turned One. Her middle name is Star and I wanted a Twinkle Little Star theme. Back then that is something you couldn’t buy at the store, so I made a fringe backdrop and added stars which took me over 4hrs to make. Today I still make those fringe backdrops in 20 minutes and sell them on my Etsy Shop. That was the highlight of my career, I could sell various fringe backdrops and sell on my Etsy Shop along with other handmade birthday decor for others. That’s when I knew my passion was crafting and birthday parties. I continued to pursue my love for crafts, and being able to design other people’s birthday parties for their kids, loving every moment of it, I knew that this was my thing! Read More>>

Kamari Dowell

I started official recording music at 15 but just for fun and it was mainly because I’ve always been into music since I was kid I used to listen to dub step and skrillex heavy and of course the main guys like Wayne,Gucci,Future etc. But I’m heavily influenced by future cause he taught me what the true meaning of what’s done in the dark is gonna come to light and growing up a lot of people doubted me, said I was weird and lots of irrelevant things but never seen the work I put in to get here so I knew I had to be doing something right . Read More>>

Iam Will

I didn’t want to be apart of the norm. It’s like I seen the life that the world was trying to train me for, and I said no. I’m big on being myself in all categories. I chose this career because it aligns with my core values, passions, and goals. You never know who you could inspire doing what you doing, so being that impact and influence is everything. In this field I’m able to show who I am Read More>>