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.

Drahm | DJ/Producer/Entrepreneur

Growing up. He always knew that he wanted to become an entertainer of some sort and share his energy through art with people. As a Youth He wanted to become a soccer player until he came across electronic music at the age of 14 and it sparked a flame in Him. Through music, I’m able to get the audience to resonate with me and take them on emotive journey and share this euphoric and groundbreaking feeling together. Read more>>

Kyle Hunter | Photographer and Creative Artist

I’ve always been a more creative person. The irony is this wasn’t a career choice at first. I liked making videos for fun. I did it on and off on YouTube for years. More recently I was kind of at a loss for what I wanted to do. I decided to get a camera since it would be essential to making videos and I decided to learn about photography in the process so that I could use it to bolster my skills. And I just got obsessed with it. I took photos of everything I could, trying to recreate things I saw online and well that carried me to developing my style and this passion I have today. Read more>>

Titilayo Ojewole | Afrobeat Rapper

I chose music as my career path because music just seemed to always find me. Ever since I was a little girl, because I was raised in the church atmosphere. I grew up singing in the church choir, even though I didn’t want to sing in front of everyone due me being shy. I really appreciate those moments which played a huge part, in shaping me into the artist I am today. My father is a preacher and he started his church from the ground up with no affiliation. I grew up watching my father be a leader and inspire people to change their lives for the good. I’ve always wanted to inspire people through my music, with inspiring lyrics that can help a person with whatever they’re going through. Read more>>

Shannon Lee | Model and Content Creator

I chose my creative career because it fully allows me to express my full self. Since I was a young child, I’ve always had a love and interest for modeling. I was very photogenic growing up, and I had a passion for creative concepts. As I got older, school became my other half, so I decided to actually go forth with my passion in my late teens. I started off with becoming a youtuber then slowly transitioned into free lance modeling. I decided it was my time to reclaim my early childhood passion and go forth and show the world who I am! Read more>>

Justin P. Slaughter | Actor

As I was younger I would play “make believe”; I would truly let my imagination run wild. For example, when I was a kid I would hide my favorite toy in the farthest part of my parents house and symbolize it as a rare artifact and I would place my mom’s furniture pillows scattered across the floor and imagine that I’m in a uncharted island and I’m leaping from rock to rock and the ground is hot lava just to get to the other side to find that lost relic. I’ve always had an imagination and creative thinking. Read more>>

William Reich | Photographer and Graphic Designer

I pursue an artistic career because my first major I was going through in college was actually chemistry. It was not until my advisor told me I should change majors because I was struggling with biology that it was a mandatory class. My advisor switched and I got me thinking about going into an art career instead, because I enjoyed taking photos and creating graphics since I was in high school and smaller. I decided to change from chemistry to graphic design and I never look back now. I do not regret my decision because doing something I find fun and exciting feels like I am never actually doing work and one day I can be full time with my art career. Read more>>

Patrycja Pioch Makurat | photographer

Ever since I can remember I have always been fascinated by art and fashion. From an early age, I spent my time painting, drawing, taking pictures or watching and reading anything related to fashion and art. When I went to elementary school, I started studying at the National Art School in parallel. I graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts and have always worked in related professions. It is a way of life for me and also a form of relaxation. I can’t imagine life any other way. Read more>>

Chelsea Baptiste | Fashion Designer/ Stylist

Becoming a creative was definitely apart of my vision since a child. To be able to express myself through my art is the most liberating feeling. I became good at what I loved and my art made others feel inspired and at that moment all I ever wanted to do was create and share that part of me. Read more>>

Charise Spencer | Loc Specialist

I honestly believe this creative path chose me. Everything I’m attracted to is a form of art. Making people feel good by doing their hair is art and that’s why I decided to pursue this career. Read more>>

Samantha Fuente | Artificial arrangement designer

I’ve been a painter my entire life, attending design schools in both Miami and in New York. I knew I would end up in a creative field – I just didn’t know what exactly it was going to be. While in New York I worked a lot of different jobs until I found out I actually had a green thumb. When I realized that plants and design go hand-in-hand, I knew I had found my career. Read more>>

Bryson Armstrong | Makeup and special effects makeup artist

I’ve loved makeup sense i was a little kid. I first started after watching Mykie on Glam and Gore doing a torn face makeup and I fell in love with sfx makeup then. I didn’t get into beauty makeup until I started school at Cosmix school of makeup artistry and I really enjoyed it. I love how you can express your feelings through makeup and how you can make other people feel beautiful and the transformation you can see from start to finish. Read more>>

Laetitia Chapelet | Makeup Artist

Being artsy and creative came to me as natural as can be. Started drawing since I was in elementary school just anything fashion related then became more of a expressive art. Started drawing more of how I felt. It was a way for me to escape and and express myself! Few years later finding myself leaning more into the beauty world. Went to school for nail technician but didn’t go on that route. Found myself having a love and passion for makeup it felt more expressive and therapeutic. I feel helpful whenever I’m done with a client’s makeup and their face light up because they now feel confident and that is why I chose art, beauty! Read more>>

Luke Malaney | Artist

It came natural to me. I knew I wanted to pursue making furniture since high school shop class. I had a great teacher and took a liking to creating things and seeing it come to life. Since I’ve dove deep into that it’s become a necessity, I always need to be working on a piece or else something haunts me if I am not. Read more>>

Benjamin D’Oleo | Director & Editor

I’ve always gravitated towards art or creative jobs. While in school, I used extracurricular classes or after-school activities to find which medium I liked the best. Or better represented how or what I wanted to express. I never thought that you could make a career out of art. I simply like to create and solve problems. I wanted to be able to express myself in a way that I could never use with speech or text. The creator of the universe creates through me. Read more>>