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.

Letief Roberts | Visual artist

Because it feels the most true to my spirit. I’ve always been a creative and after doing countless other jobs, I figured I should take a chance at something I’m good at and enjoy doing. Read more>>

Becca Twiggs | Writer, Performer, Educator

There wasn’t one singular moment where I decided to pursue a creative career, the arts were always just something I wanted to be in my life. I was involved with theatre growing up, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown more in love with writing and empowering others to tell their own story in the best way possible. Read more>>

Roman Xzavier | Artist & Model

I didn’t choose to be an artist, being an artist chose me. Iv always been in the light as a kid growing up to performing in middle school and high school. It just came to me and I fell in love with being able to entertain others while doing what I love. Read more>> 

Johnny Mulsane | Songwriter & Recording Artist

Well, ever since I started understanding music at a young age, a passion for wanting to song write & perform grew, which then I chose would always be my plan A in life. Hearing a song on the radio or party, then watching the reaction to people how they take in the music was always like magic to me. I wanted to create that magic, I wanted to tell my story, I wanted the radio playing my songs, I wanted to relate to the ones that couldn’t tell their story not because they don’t want to, but they can’t. The rush you get when performing, always in the studio, collaborating, and most importantly, being put in the position to assist others, new relationships, plus build an empire. Sounds like a dream but I knew I could make it reality. Read more>> 

DreVirgo

Becoming a model in the music artist wasn’t my first choice. I want to say that I got into modeling before I got some music. I started my Modeling journey in 2020 with a studio in New York City Manhattan. As I continued the modeling journey, I recently fell in love with music. Late rapper Juice WRLD what is my inspiration towards music in during that same month of the passing of Juice WRLD I lost someone that was really dear to me and that was my mother. During that time Covid 19 was a big thing, and I was leaving my hometown to go off to college in Pittsburgh. I want to say February 2021 was when I began to take music seriously. Me and my friend we were actually roommates and he actually did music before me. We begin to record music on our phones. Read more>> 

Aidan Atkin | Writer

Ever since I was young, I have always had a passion for telling stories. I didn’t know that’s what I was doing at the time when I was making up intricate plot-lines for my Ninja Turtle action figures. When I was in the 7th grade, I watched “The Walking Dead” for the first time. I was taken aback by the story, and I immediately read the graphic novels they were based on. Seeing how well crafted this world was changed my life. I got a notebook and started writing my own zombie story, with my own characters. I have drafted and changed that story so many times. I am still working on it to this day, all the characters have changed. I joined theatre in high school and loved performing. That was the last nail in the coffin I needed that showed me, this is the lifestyle I want to pursue. Read more>> 

Alayna Morales | SFX Makeup Artist and Body Painter

Art is just a giant playground and it is ever growing and evolving. There is always something to learn in art and I truly believe that it has saved me in many ways. I chose art as a way to express my thoughts and life experiences. All throughout middle and high school I used art as a tool to communicate with everyone. It was my own language of speaking and using paint to create emotion. When I turned 19 I remember thinking, “If I can create art on a page why wouldn’t I try using this to create work on faces.” I began body painting and constantly learning to create bigger and better works. The body just so happened to be a larger canvas to play on to show not only fun and vibrant works of art, but also express your mind. Read more>>

Jamal Clay | Dance Teacher/ Dance Consultant

It allows me to see beyond what’s in front. Read more>>

Brandon Cowans | Photographer, Producer, and Filmmaker

Well, when I was younger, I used to take a lot of pictures of buses and trains with whatever phone I had at the time. Once I entered high school, I joined the photography department and it started from there. When I got my first DSLR, I was still mainly taking pictures of buses and trains. However, as time went on, I started to venture into doing portraits of people and I realized that I’m really good at it. Now, 9 years later, and I’m still going strong, but it’s evolved into doing videography and web series production as well. Read more>>