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.

Juan Pablo Silhy | Motion Designer

I decided to pursue a career in the arts because I have always found myself curious and passionate about digital art forms. When I was 10 years old my parents gifted me a digital toy camera and that is how I discovered photography. I loved taking pictures of my family and other things I encountered throughout my day. Read more>>

Anya Smith | Atlanta REALTOR®, and home advisor

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, my aspiration to pursue a career in this field was clear. Building generational wealth is essential, and one of the critical keys to sustaining a long-lasting business is entering a career with enduring value. Read more>>

Brittany Mayti | Actress & Producer

My family tells me that from 4 years old, watching reruns of The Cosby Show, and being enamored with seeing the much needed representation of a little girl who looked like me on tv, is when I announced that I would be an Actress. Aside from elementary school productions, and recruiting and casting my little sister and cousin in performances that we would perform in front of family, I had my first taste of professional theater at age 11. Read more>>

Zimuzo Okala | Nail Artist & Multi-hyphenate creative

I’ve always been really creative! My mom has so many bags and storage bins full of things I created as a child. I actually fought having a creative career for a while because a lot of what I heard and saw growing up was that creative things are for hobbies and that I would need a “real job”. Read more>>

Gabriela Lopez | Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager

Ever since I was little, I was always very artsy and creative, and looking back, I feel as though I was destined to be on that track once I became an adult. I always excelled in music, art class, and English, but not so much History and Science. Read more>>

Brittany Kelly | Writer | Director | Actress | Editor | Producer

I wanted to pursue a career in creative arts because I wanted to do just that, create art! Whether it was on the screen, a canvas or paper, I wanted to create art. My mom says I’ve been telling her and my dad that I wanted to be a star since I was two! Read more>>

Lunden De’Leon | Actress

I grew up in a small tobacco town in South Carolina. My dad was the lead singer in a gospel band. I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry the first time I saw him on stage. After graduating high school, I left South Carolina for Los Angeles. Read more>>

Aloye Akhagbeme | 🙏🏾God-Fearing 🎭 Marathon Runner 🏁

Since my childhood, I’ve been known as the big-spirited, outgoing, well-spoken, naturally “funny guy” and “Golden-Boy” of my family, friend group and hometown community in Dallas, Texas. Having been influenced by Hip-Hop, R&B, and Gospel at an early age, my love for music was my introduction to the pursuit of a career in performing arts. Read more>>

Pumpkin

I enjoy creating many different forms of art, but I wasn’t sure if anything I could create would be something people would be interested in buying. When I got into anime and kpop, I noticed a distinct lack of cute accessories. Read more>>

Grace Zhang | Visual Development Artist & Illustrator

Growing up, drawing was the best way I could express myself. Many artists, including myself, tend to be introspective and introverted. We’re the ones who sat alone in school and doodled on our homework, or spent hours getting obsessed with a new animated show and collected fan art like Pokemon cards, (hypothetically speaking, of course). Read more>>

Kerem Erdinc | Voice Actor

Growing up as a young boy born in Pittsburgh, PA in the 1990’s, video games, cartoons, comics, and animated films were released at an ever-growing rate of frequency and quality, so I think I was born at just the right time to be mesmerized by the vocal performances of legends like Mel Blanc, Kevin Conroy, and Keith David, as I deep dived further and further into these mediums of fiction. Read more>>

Courtney Harris | Photographer and Cinematographer

I have always been drawn to visual storytelling and emotional expression. I grew up with an urge to express the feelings I found hard to talk about. I found that a poem or a picture could describe how I felt stronger than words ever could. The summer after graduation I went with a friend over to their uncle’s home who was a painter. Read more>>

EMOSHUN CAMPBELL | Singer /Songwriter & Chemist overall creative !

I’m choosing to pursues creative career because , I want to share my gifts with the world . I want to add to the world creatively in the most inspiring way possible. I also want to push my siblings , family in general , and friends to keep going and never give up. Read more>>

Destiney Stoute | Master Cosmetologist & Hairstylist

I pursued a creative/artistic career simply because i like making other people happy. I love that in the hairstylist industry you get to see other’s faces light up when you have given them what they wanted. Not only do I get to make others look good, i make them feel beautiful. Read more>>

Fatima Sultan | Motion Designer

From a young age, I knew I had a deep passion for art—whether it was music, drawing, or performance art. It allowed me to express myself freely and provided a safe space to showcase my creativity. Both in my home country of Bahrain and during my studies in the United States, I’ve found the art communities to be vibrant and supportive. Read more>>

Mel Titsworth | Death By Pinup Podcast Host

I am always stressed and the podcast allows me to be me and talk about whatever we want to talk about. I am passionate about speaking about true life situations as it may help someone that is going through the same situation. You never know, so we are honest and vulnerable which definitely helps our listeners if they are going through the same. Read more>>