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.

BLINK DA LINK | Artist/DJ/Producer

When I was younger I was really shy. Art & Music class was my way of expressing myself without having to use my voice. Ironically my voice is one of my main tools I use as an entertainer and DJ. I think that same need for outlet to express myself is why I pursue an artistic career. I have a lot to say and whether it’s my voice, the music I choose to play, or the songs I produce; I’m going to express my 100% true self. Read more>>

Aric Slaughter | Fashion Runway Model

I’ve always had the passion for arts and fashion. Creatively as a child I always found different ways of expressing myself through drawing, music, theatre and the list goes on. I’m basically a jack of all trades thanks to my upbringing I’ve had the freedom and opportunity to learn and experience new things that I still carry with me till this day and fashion and modeling became my number 1 interest! Read more>>

Skai Kyler | Entrepreneur

Since childhood, the Performing Arts or creative artistic pursuits have always been a heavy influence in my life. I was raised in a family community, where my Uncles and Aunts had traveling bands that always inspired me. I use to draw and write poetry in my younger years. And I’ve always just been inspired to help people where I could. So my small business really just turned out to be a collective of certain aspects of my life over time. Read more>>

A Star | The Magikal Arts & Creative Direction and Production

I pursued a Career in the arts because I feel like I have a personal calling to do so , I have great ideas and creative thinking skills and I feel as tho my ideas or more correctly the ideas I’m lucky enough to come into contact with need and want to be shared with the world. Most of my life I have desired to be a creative but because of my upbringing and society I was told that being creative or pursuing a career in the Arts is a waste of time and you would never achieve those individuals definition of success. Read more>>

Emily E. Finke | Creative Entrepreneur & Musician

I felt called to the arts at a very early age when I began taking music lessons at six years old. Creativity was always a natural part of my life and the way that I thought and worked. In school, I excelled in hands-on projects that allowed me to apply my studies in artistic ways. While I have other interests that are not artistic, the majority of my interests and the work that makes me the happiest is anything artistic/creative in nature. Read more>>

Cody Tyler | Artist

I feel that creativity and the arts are a part of who I am and the fact that i found the gift of expressing myself when I was at one of my low points made it even more of a Godsend. Read more>>

Monika Marianna Kiss | Artist

I know it’s cliche but I didn’t choose art. Art called out to me to be chosen from early childhood. I was a child actress, and I always was also painting from early childhood. I had exhibitions also when I was a child. I was also studying music on a high level. I finished an opera school from the earliest age allowed at age 17. After all that I was a oriental dance teacher for 14 years where I was practicing the art of movement. Read more>>