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.

Anthony Stone | Artist Manager & Creative

My mind has always been impacted by creativity my entire life. Taking a creative approach to things is what I mean. Whether it’s creative design or creative direction – I’ve always bowed to creative processes. Even in management there are many elements that require a creative approach. Mix that with my love of great music and storytelling, the music business was the only option. Read more>>

Koyal Indie-rock band | Henry Wallace- Drums & Keys, Cooper Billsborough- Guitar, Ethan Hunt- Bass & Croc Enthusiast, Noah Weinstein- Guitar and Recording & Mixing, Pooja Prabakaran- Vocals

Henry: I went to an arts high school where I spent a lot of my time practicing and performing drums and piano! I wanted to keep performing and doing shows so I joined a band in college that became Koyal. It’s been an amazing time and I never want to stop 🙂 Cooper: I grew up with my family constantly playing music in the house. I cut my teeth on 70’s and 80’s rock as a kid, and would always go to concerts with my parents. Playing guitar was a pretty natural choice for me, so I picked it up around the age of 7 and haven’t looked back! Read more>>

Anthony Rogers | Futuristic Photographs

The reason why I decided to pursue a artistic career was because I love creating things that made you wonder. I’ve been drawing all my life and now I thought it was time to show the world what you can do with a camera and some time. Read more>>

Coyatahair | Glueless Wig Maker & Instructor

I was inspired by Everything Eboni, JNicole, Okthatsher Mercedes, etc. Wig making is an amazing skill & there’s really no boundaries. I have always been ecstatic to change my look or a client look in a matter of minutes by adding a wig or extensions. In this career you have complete creative control. Firing my hairstylist was one of my greatest moments. I would rather pay less money & save more time to enhance my beauty by constructing a wig and wearing it during day and taking it off at night. Read more>>

Brian Otey | Free Lance Photographer

Ever since I was a child I’ve always been in an artistic household, literally drawing everything I would see. Having a fascination with magazines and articles as I got older, it peaked the “how did they do that?” in my curiosity. I grew fond of murals and urban culture which is found a lot in Atlanta, but but my early introduction to hip hop and r&b certainly set the tone. Entering into college , I slowly had moved from creating art on a two dimensional plane, to soon enough a digital plane. Finally saving to buy my first camera at 19, the rest is history thus far. Read more>>

Calvin Norman | Media Specialist/Band Consultant

The freedom mainly. You are not necessarily obligated to perform with perfection in a way, but with too much freedom comes many problems because not many can handle the weight of it. Read more>>

Breanna Bennett | EmpresSoulfull | Visual & performing artist

My love for the visual & performing Arts started since I was a little girl growing up. It all started with journal pages filled with water paint swatches, and a strong liking for stage plays on TV. Usually I’d snuck in my school’s auditorium after class to recite & reenact my favorite folklore. I’ve always participated in theatre plays & choirs which I’ve had the opportunity to perform on the big stages in Jamaica. Read more>>

Sabrina Baker | Arts- Based Preschool Owner & Teacher

I chose to pursue my career as an Arts-Based Preschool Owner, and Teacher because I feel that a lot of children feel discouraged when they want to express themselves through art, and music and aren’t provided healthy ways to do so. My goal for each of my students before they enter Kindergarten is to be able to learn not only just standard Kindergarten skills, but also how to begin understanding their emotions through hands-on art and music-based activities such as Drawing, Painting, Singing, Dancing, Yoga, and Calming strategies, all while having a positive and safe learning environment while away from home. Read more>>

Endia Johnson | CEO of Off The Runway

Fashion has always been a passion of mine. I use to think it was an avenue that would just be something “for fun”, never a career. From my mom to my sister they are all fashionista’s, its honesty in me.I pursued a creative career because I needed something that came to me naturally so it wouldn’t feel like “work”. Off The Runway is what genuinely brings me happiness Im always seeking ways for it to grow and become one of the biggest brands in not only Atlanta, but the world. Read more>>

Christopher Lee | Photographer & Videographer

I’ve always been involved in some kind of creative media throughout my upbringing. It never occurred to me until it was time to apply to colleges that I should pursue a career path in media. It was simple for me to choose my career path, I just needed to simply think about what my passion was in life, and follow it. Read more>>

Queen Norris | Film Writer, Director and Producer

For as long as I can remember, I was a writer. I use to write and create books out of notebook and construction paper when I was 5. Then I fell in love with cameras. By the time I had gotten to the 8th grade, I married my 2 loves(writing and cameras) and decided that I wanted to make movies for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Whitney Rae MUA | Pro Makeup Artist

I pursued an artistic career because it chose me! I graduated college in 2008 in the middle of a recession and couldn’t get a job in my field. I fell back on my retail skills and working in Makeup Stores. It was there that I discovered a love for makeup art and decided to make a career out of the artist life! Read more>>

Pearl Martyr | Owner of BeauteousTreats LLC.

I love art. I love art in its purist form. I also love food, so its only right to combine the two. Doing anything creative with your hands takes time, passion, & love. Those sre the things I value the most. Read more>>