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.

Imani Starling-brown | Founder & Marketing Director

I’ve always thrived at the intersection of business and creativity. I love being analytical, researching, and constantly learning new information to apply to my work and life. To balance my natural curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo, I also embrace thinking outside the box and solving problems. That’s why I pursued a career in marketing and branding. Each new project or client brief is an opportunity to ask insightful questions, uncover what fuels their business, understand their goals, and connect with the deeper meaning behind their mission. Read more>>

Julian Allred | Drummer/Musician, Entrepreneur

Shockingly and God favoring, the artistic and creative career pursued me! Haha it sounds corny but that’s how my story started out. At the age of 2 years old I was blessed to be adopted into a loving family and my dad just so happened to be one of the best drummers in our community. Read more>>

Abigail Sykes | Interior Decorator, Photographer, & Music Instructor

What else was there? I remember accepting in like 7th grade that nothing I was interested in a potential career would make me much money, so I made peace with that very early on. The only endeavors that have really brought me any kind of fulfillment have been ones where I’m either being creative or helping others, neither of which tend to turn large profits. Read more>>

Hellenne Vermillion | Mixed media artist working mostly with clay and fiber

It was not a choice to pursue an artistic career for me. It seems to be something that I was born with and destined to do. I avoided being an artist for a long time and any job position I had lasted only two years. Off and on I “dabbled” trying to make a living with my artwork, and I tried shows and festivals and more. However, what I came to realize is that I wanted to create according to my rules and beliefs and not create to make money or receive acceptance and notoriety. Read more>>