Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Michelle Reeves | Fine Artist

“Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career? Because it was ABOUT DAMN TIME! What a gift it is to know as a child what you want to do “when you grow up”. And what a travesty it is to know what you want to do and ignore your souls voice. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Kee | Artist, Mama, and Holistic Health Guru

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to do something creative and/or artistic with my life. I have put time and energy into multiple creative outlets over the years, including: painting, writing, music, chalk art, fashion design, interior design, clay work, song writing, poetry, and photography. Read more>>

Karen Waldrup | Country Music Artist & Songwriter

Because I love music. Read more>>

Vallie | Singer/Songwriter

From an early age I was creating, whether it was a silly little tune I was humming or a new poem I had made up. So, to end up pursuing that creativity and to become a recording artist; it really wasn’t so much a single decision as it was just a natural progression for me. Read more>>

Eric Ahlgrim | Photographer // Videographer

I would have to say that art is just the way that my brain is wired. I struggled in school my entire life. My older sister was a straight A student since kindergarten, and I was just never blessed with that haha! It wasn’t until high school when my school offered an arts & media program. Read more>>

Oliver Pigott | Singer-Songwriter

Music elevates me. In turn, I love elevating people through my musical work and am grateful to have the privilege of earning a living from a profoundly edifying occupation. Read more>>

Sarah Manzo | Singer, Artist, Storyteller

Pursuing the arts was never really a choice. Creativity has always lived inside me. As a child, you’d find me running around the house with a toy microphone, studying Taylor Swift documentaries, and coming up with choreography in my bedroom. Read more>> 

Raquel Aurilia | Singer/Songwriter

Music has always been my passion. I always knew I wanted to be a singer and perform but never knew how to get started. It is not a career that you just go and audition for and get the job. You have to work hard, create your own music or selct the right songs if you don’t write, promote it, record, and get the right muscians to work with to perform with. It’s definitely a marathon, not a sprint. Read more>>

Florencia & the Feeling | Pop-funk Fusion Band

The answer here is really that I have no other choice. Since I was a little girl I have always had the yearning to share my art and as I grew older, that yearning continued to grow until I could no longer tell myself no. I think as an artist, it’s always inside of you, it just a matter of when it will come out. Read more>>

Veesugee | Musical Artist

I believe art and music chose me. It comes to me like breath to my lungs. I was born an artist and explored ways to express myself as an artist. I wrote my first song when I was twelve. The feeling I got was all over body excitement. And I knew this is it! This is who I am!  Read more>>

David Silbermann | band leader of Fearless Dave and the Tsunamis

I think it’s basic human nature to be creative and want to express oneself through artistic endeavors. I’ve always had a strong desire to do creative work and music is my main artistic focus so that’s why I decided to pursue a career in the music industry where I can use creative problem solving through production, songwriting, producing live shows, and marketIng. Read more>>

Steve Owens | Independent Rap Artist

Because of the way it made me feel and it’s my passion also saved my life and the fact that I love making music. Read more>>

Will Barnhart | Musician & Audio Engineer

When I was a child my parents absolutely adored music and played a huge part into my passion for the craft. I would play air guitar to songs on my CD player or cassette player and I always thought it would be awesome if I could even think about playing the songs myself.  Read more>>

Julie Delgado | Venue owner & booking manager

I was a songwriter in LA and my husband was a guitar builder, luthier, in Lis Angeles as well before we met. We combined our passions, moving to Nashville, and now own Delgado Guitars and the Music Makers Stage venue space. Music is very important to both of us, and it is a core value that we share in raising our family and becoming part of the community where we live..  Read more>>

YSN | Radio Personality & DJ

Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been into performing and entertaining. In middle school, I went to an arts school and was in a few plays and played the trumpet and guitar. As I got older and started getting into music and DJing, it all came so naturally to me and I fell in love with it. Read more>> 

Aria White | Author & Relationship Mentor

Artistry is in my blood. I was born right-brained and have always been highly creative, so this was a no-brainer for me. Read more>>