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.

Raquelle Ahrens | Professional Singer, Dancer, Choreographer, Creative

From a young age I was enthralled with body movement and expression, particularly how my body responded to music. I was engaged by all things creative, musical, and imaginative. I started dance lessons when I was 5 years old and within a year I was competing. I couldn’t get enough of dancing and I learned that being able to captivate an audience fueled my flame even more. When I was 7 years old I discovered Britney Spears and my fate was sealed. Read more>>

Rebekah Huffman | Watercolor Artist

Ever since I was little I’ve loved to draw and paint. I would fill sketchbook after sketchbook with drawings and doodles. I was always told I had a talent and could pursue being an artist as a career. For me, a career as an artist was never something I thought about realistically. I thought being an artist meant tons of work with no means of making it, the whole “starving artist” thing. Read more>>

Emmanuel Zorro | Dance Artiste

Well I know my mission,my purpose and my destiny will be tied to one thing which is my gift and so therefore,I decided to chase my creative career because it’s what I’m good in and I’m not going to let that slide. Read more>>

JP lewis | mixed medium Artist

When your young it seems like an easy shortcut. You know your are right for one thing and very wrong for the mundane protestant work ethic. Later in life one realizes that… a true artist is not concerned with money being the end product of their labours, as much as bringing an idea or trope to reality, by any means/medium. Read more>>

Da’wan Gold | Ceo DNA Productions NY LLC

Although art can be often complicated it’s also a place of freedom and relaxation and with that you get to express yourself as openly as possible. I felt music & art allowed me to express myself, as a solider I’m told to take orders drive on and get the mission done. Art allowed me to finally make my own choices. Be accountable for my own actions. Read more>>

Mario Barhma | Music Producer

for all longest i can remember i’ve always had a creative look at life, originally i used to this it was because i was a child. but going one day i sort of realized that being creative is the most natural to me and music happened to be the one thing i was most fond of. Read more>>

Ronan Dowling | Songwriter & Performing Musician

Ever since I was a kid I can remember being creative. I always had a passion for building something that represented me. The older I get, I think the more I realize that being creative allows me to work through things going on in my life. Whether that be certain hardships I’ve endured, or even the really good moments. Read more>>

Luke Terkovich | Independent Artist

I think taking something from an idea and turning it into something that exists is one of the most fulfilling experiences this world can offer. I also believe writing and the reflection that it allows has to led to a deep understanding of myself that I would not have without it and I’m constantly writing to nurture that understanding. Read more>>

Dylan Leonard | Filmmaker & Photographer

My life plan was always to be a professional basketball player. I only ever thought of myself as an athlete until my sophomore year of college when I sustained a major ankle injury. I had just started to gain interest in travel and photography prior to the injury, so after that happened and I couldn’t workout or play, I spent all of my spare time watching travel videos on YouTube and experimenting with my camera. Read more>>

Tyler Laracca | Actor & Entertainment Journalist

I am wildly obsessed with the entertainment industry. Going to the movies has always been my own version of church in a way. After graduating high school without set career aspirations, I figured I could head to college and keep working as a PA, then figure it out from there. All it took was two weeks on the Lone Ranger set, and a spontaneous talent agency workshop for me to realize that I wanted to be an actor. Read more>>

Lisa Marie Rodriguez | Celebrity Hairstylist & Entrepreneur

I decided to pursue an artistic career after trying to obtain a degree and go the corporate route. I’ve always had a passion for hair and makeup since I was a little girl. I used to watch my aunts and mother get their hair and makeup done just to go out for dinner. I was always the friend, cousin, and sister that always did the prom hair or our hair/makeup for dance recitals and shows. Read more>>

Danielle Sims | Jewelry Designer

My passion for jewelry making started at a very young age. I was walking along a small town near where I grew up and stumbled upon a bead store. My mother and I went in and I was instantly hooked. We started taking classes together to get a basic understanding of how to create bracelets and earrings and my passion was even more ignited with every item I created. Read more>>

Sean Theodoratos | Photo-Realistic Artist & Wildlife Photographer

The pursuit of art and photography all came into my life by chance. One of my neighbors was moving and he gave me some blank sketch pads and before I knew it I was drawing everyday. This happened just before the pandemic and I saw this as an opportunity to not only practice my self-care, but also an opportunity to immerse myself in newly discovered passions. Read more>> 

Scott & Mike | Revolver food truck owners

We have always been in creative spaces, as both of us are also been drum and bass Dj’s for the last 20 years are heavily into music. We feel creating good food and making people dance has a lot in common. We do best when we have full creative control of the products we put out. We wanted to have a space where we could express our fun side through food, and that’s what led us here to opening a food truck. Read more>>