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.

Flo Gajnaj | Singer & Songwriter

Music has been part of my family for ages. It all goes back to my tenor great grandfather, he was called Cesare and lived in Italy until the 1920’s when he travelled to Argentina. One of my uncles, who’s actually an actor, and as such remembers easily, told me some time ago that as a kid he would sit on his lap and Cesare would sing classical songs while making some gnocchi (very Italian of him, let me say). If I have to choose the person who made me love singing and writing the most, that’d be my mother. Read more>>

Shane Srogi | Photographer

It took some time to figure out the correct receipt. I knew early in life that I was happiest creating and telling stories. Add in an interest in documenting history and a passion for digital technology. I’ve been fortunate to live in many regions of the country, and expressing those experiences through visual means has always been a way of connecting with others. It all came together when someone put a camera in my hand. Read more>>

Pamela Groove | Singer, Actress & Art Director

I decided to become an artist since I was very little, to be honest I never had a “plan B” I always knew I was going to become an artist. Growing up, all I ever wanted was to be on stage and to connect with people with art. After I graduated of performing arts in Guatemala, I decided it was time for me to release all the music I’ve been writing since I was a child. In 2020 I started releasing my music with the help of the best producers. For me nothing fulfil my soul the way art does, art in any shape or form. Read more>>

Anthony Fazzinga | Artist & Creator

At an early age drawing was all I knew. As a baby I would just scribble on what the nearest object, as a young kid before, after and even during school I’d be doodling. Art was always going to be my future. I can remember it being my favorite activity. As a young adult working landscape construction, I wasn’t necessarily focusing on art as my career path, but I knew I liked to be hands on. I just needed some inspiration to focus that energy into something in the creative space and that happened around 2015 where I started painting again, which allowed me to refocus on a lost passion. Read more>>

Ja’Nia Harden | Musician

I don’t think I ever had a choice. It was something that was in me totally. I only wanted to create. I only ever want to be an artist with every medium that I could get my hands on whether it was performance visual. I don’t want to do anything else, but be a creative in an artist. Read more>>

Julie Himelein | Visual Artist

The pure delight of seeing a blank, white canvas transpose into a captivating piece of art that has color, rhythm, line and movement is just exhilarating to me. There is something so completely satisfying about creating art that has energy, beauty, movement and a bit of mystery. After spending about thirty years in the Nursing field, caring and nurturing others I followed my passion. Sometimes art chooses you and we must open our hearts up to it and never say no. Read more>>