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.

Summer Clemons

Appropriately, I just started loving fashion way too early on. I was this child who doodled constantly outfit ideas on the edges of school notebooks. It really took off when I learned from my grandmother in grade school how to sew. She had this old-fashioned sewing machine and bunches of patience—and I just totally loved the process. At first, it was simple things like pillowcases and small bags, but before long, I was creating things I could wear myself.  Read More>>

Anna Giovingo

For me, there was never really another option—creativity has always felt like home. I grew up completely immersed in the arts, and from a young age, storytelling became my way of connecting with the world around me.

Theatre was my first creative love. Stepping into different characters, telling meaningful stories, and collaborating with other artists taught me how powerful it is to make people feel something—to see themselves reflected on stage, even for a moment. That foundation gave me a deep appreciation for human emotion, timing, and the beauty of authenticity. Read More>>

OnceHeard K

I pursued a creative career in piano and composition because music has always been my language—the way I express what words often can’t. From about 5 years ago at the age of 10 I felt deeply connected to the piano; it became not just an instrument, but a part of who I am. Creating music allows me to explore emotions, tell stories, and connect with others on a soul-deep level. Composition gives me the freedom to shape sound into something meaningful and personal, and performing brings those creations to life. Choosing this path wasn’t just a decision—it was a calling I couldn’t ignore. Read More>>

 Cali

I decided to follow my journey of influencing because of the positive responses & feedback I received after committing to the gym & evolving my health & personal lifestyle. I wanted to promote heath being wealth while also inspiring others. Read More>>

Amari Akua

When I was young, the camera would mesmerise me. Seeing myself, seeing others, then capturing that moment in time forever. By doing pictures and films, I was able to express myself in ways I never had before. I knew I wanted it to be an integral part of my being. One of the fortunate things of being born in this era is that the need for pictures, video, and media is at an all-time high. This allows me to live through my passion while also making a living. Read More>>

Danae Marks

Being a creative has always been a part of me. My earliest memory with the arts was of me as a child running around with my grandmother’s camcorder conducting my own interviews and creating my own stories with my folks, cousins, and once I was older my friends. Although I have steered away from film in middle school, I always came back to film. For me, it was my natural calling that I felt if I wasn’t going to do anything else I would film something, anything that came to my mind! Read More>> 

Seth Petero

Thanks for having me. For over a decade I’ve been involved in making video and film content, and for a 22 year old, that’s kind of a wild thing to say. I’ve made my own short films, I’ve collaborated with many other talented artists, and I’ve been a part of both union and non-union projects in the film industry. I’ve also done freelance and commercial work, creating narrative-driven marketing to boost brands and their stories. Read More>>

Tatum McBride

I pursued an artistic career because there was just so much about being a performer that I loved. I could always find something new that I found fascinating. There is something about playing different people and delving into the minds of others that allows you to have a greater understanding of humans. Also, the fact that I have been doing this since second grade adds to my passion for it. The moment I decided to be in Alice and Wonderland, the musical, it all just clicked for me. Read More>>

Curtis Carswell

Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve been infatuated with music. I grew up in church playing the drums, and as I got older, I discovered a deeper love for the piano. What started as a hobby soon revealed itself as something more—it was a gift. That realization pushed me to pursue a career in music. I was inspired by musicians from all over the world who helped me discover my own sound and identity. I can’t take all the credit, though—my parents were the ones who first introduced me to music. But ultimately, it was my Heavenly Father, God, who planted this gift in me and gave it purpose. Read More>>

Jaylin Murphy

Growing up I was always massively into the arts. I played in the band, sung in a choir, at one point I even considered acting. Although I was very aimless, I naturally gravitated towards mediums that most people would consider “creative”, but I never really thought of myself as a creative person for some reason. Read More>>

DeVante “DC D-Nice” Steward

My inspiration behind being an artist stems from my Grandmother. She’s a singer and since I was in grade school getting off the bus she would have her tape recorder singing songs and creating lyrics from thin air. Sometimes she would invite me and my cousins to say something on the mic and from there my love for telling stories over music grew. Read More>>

Emma Brown

There’s a part of me that feels like this path was meant for me. Right now, I can’t imagine doing anything else because art just feels like the most natural fit. I’m drawn to the process itself: the creativity, the exploration, the way it allows me to translate thoughts and emotions into something visual. For me, art is both a form of self-expression and an emotional outlet. Like many others in the creative world, I use it to process experiences and connect with others. It’s how I share my perspective, how I celebrate the moments I love most, and how I make sense of the world around me. Read More>>

 Harsh Kumar

Ever since I was a child in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; storytelling pulled me in like gravity. I remember watching local plays with wide eyes, not just enjoying them—but feeling them. When I first stepped on stage for Deepdaan of Panna Dhay (local theatre act), playing Chandan, I wasn’t just acting—I was becoming. That single performance changed everything. It caught the eye of the Supreme Editor of Dainik Jagran (Newspaper company in India) who gave me my first major opportunity to host his one of the biggest live events that was going to happen in Gorakhpur. I didn’t even know then that a spark had just turned into a flame. Read More>>

Shanita

Me being a model gives me confidence I’m able to express myself and be comfortable in my own skin no judgments just in my own world only me and the camera I am able to use body language to express emotions It’s something I’ve always been good at I love modeling gives me endurance and patience I believe in myself I keep God on mind and it keeps me dedicated to my crafts. Read More>>

Shae Nicole

I started developing an interest in a lot of the “food porn” worthy photos I saw online, and how they lured me into trying new restaurants, and even encouraged me to want to travel more just to try new foods. So even though I didn’t think of myself as a creative at the time, I started developing a passion for food photography, grew my skill, & built a community/ network. Read More>>

Alicia Griswold

I’m not so sure I pursued an artistic career so much as I eliminated every other source of income and professional satisfaction. You could say that creativity pursued me, and there wasn’t much I could do about it.

I started by writing mostly because I didn’t get to take an art class until the last semester of high school. In college, I worked for the campus television studio and was in film club. I met Lillian Gish. She was in her 90s. In dance class, we went to see the new modern dance group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and I was stunned, forever, by Judith Jamison. Read More>>

 Mychaela Eatmon

Ever since I was able to hold a pen, I have been creating visual art. Growing up surrounded by creative people, I learned to paint, draw, sew, and experiment with various crafts. There was never a question of if I would pursue a creative career—only what that career would look like. After high school, I began my undergraduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. However, I soon pivoted, moving closer to home to study neuroscience and psychology at East Carolina University. While there, I took enough art courses to earn a minor in art. Read More>>

Ricky Bartlett

I was always attracted to the arts. As a kid, I would try out for the band, orchestra, theater, ANYTHING that would offer a release from the hardships of growing up in the projects. The arts were an escape to a fun, colorful world; away from the crime and poverty that was my norm. I even performed at the Springer Opera House in my hometown of Columbus, Georgia in many summer stock roles, such as, the Emperor in ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, a Lost Boy in ‘Peter Pan,’ and more. Read More>> 

Mikhai “MK” Culpepper

I believe I was always meant to be artistic and speak out in a creative format. Since I was a kid, I knew I enjoyed photos and being able to see an image with a story made me happy. I tried the whole healthcare pathway in high school then attempted a biology degree and quickly changed to marketing. My passion for arts grew over the years and has built a larger purpose in my heart and soul. Art makes people feel emotion and I enjoy making people happy and eluding emotion.  Read More>>