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.

William Rose | Artist & Creator

I’ve been playing saxophone since I was in sixth grade. And I’ve known I wanted to play saxophone ever since I was in 2nd and pretended to play a giant inflatable one for a school play. I always say I was raised on R&B, I was taught jazz but I fell in love with hip-hop. So during high school I started learning how to produce music and use music technology, which inspired me to pursue it as a career. As I grew up, I added video production and podcasting to my skillset. Read more>>

Sujata Tibrewala | Eco feminist artist

Art was always something I find solace in admist the commotion of life . However since I was good at studies and maths in general, everyone asked me to become an engineer. I didn’t know of a career path in art and hence went on to go to India’s two top schools to do my masters in Engineering and have been working in tech since . My tech journey has brought me to becoming an open source leader working with big names like Linux Foundation, Intel , Bytedance etc but art is still my go to when I want to de-stress or express something that bothers me in the society I live in , specially around social and gender inequality, environment etc. It gives me joy that I have had good fortune to exhibit some of work at major venues in US and India and the audience does love my art when I share it. Read more>>

Devin Johnson

Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a TV or movie star, but my family always stressed the importance of education. In 2013, I moved from Augusta, Georgia, to Atlanta for college, and it was there that my uncle suggested I explore sports reporting, knowing my deep passion for basketball. Intrigued by the idea, I pursued it throughout college and into my early career, working as a TV news reporter in Augusta (2018–2020) and Columbia, SC (2020–2021). Read more>>

Desiree Shields

I pursued an artistic and creative career because I am naturally a creative person. I love anything art! Whether it’s fashion, decor, pottery, etc. I feel like being a creative person has allowed me to express myself in different ways. I am able to channel my emotions, and express them by being artistic. I was able to choose my career path because I love making people feel beautiful, on theme, and encouraging other people to be able to express themselves in every way they’re comfortable in doing so. Read more>>