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.

Jorgia Rutherford | Horseback Guide & Adventurer

I had formally been a hairstylist in NorthWest Arkansas. I gave that up after only 2 years in the industry. I wanted to travel and experience all that nature has to offer us. I then looked for seasonal jobs near National Parks or areas that I have been wanting to visit. Read more>>

Thomas Wingerd | Film Producer & Dance Choreographer

I chose to pursue an artistic career in college when I fell in love with screenwriting junior year. I had always been a professional dance, and spent my teens touring the US for square dancing (my parents met in a square dance group at CU Boulder). In college I began performing modern and ballroom dance with a local company, and started training Lindy hop swing and hip hop. Junior year I took a screenwriting class. Read more>>

Clarence Devon | Photographer

I’d say one of the main reasons I started doing photography and film more is because my main job doesn’t involve a “creative” side to it. While I may have to come up with different ways to get the task at hand done, it’s not the same as capturing an image or scene and showing it to others as I saw it. Hearing people say, “I would’ve never looked at this object or scene this way” or “I would’ve never thought to capture this moment this way” is sort of satisfying as it helps others see things differently. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Metcalf | Artist & Adventurer

I fell in love with the arts at a very young age. Growing up in New Orleans, artistic expression was all around me and I saw how it could make a meaningful difference on a daily basis. Life in New Orleans is constantly full of color and sound, which I had not realized until moving away is unique to such a creative city. I knew I wanted to be part of that beautification process which brings joy and light to life. Read more>>

Jessica Marshall | Artist

I left the University of Colorado Boulder in 2000 with a small glass business and a communications degree. Within two years, I chose a career path outside of creative endeavors and began making a series of life decisions that landed me in the fast lane of Boulder’s startup boom. I enjoyed and excelled at being a part of these diverse teams and small, Read more>>

Tamara Vermette | (since I have been at this store for the longest and wear so many hats, and am 1 of 3 women who work here, my business cards say Field General and Special Orders Diva)

I was always interested in creating. I remember at a very young age, I was always doodling, or painting, or using whatever medium my parents afforded me. Once I hit high school, I really got involved with everything art related and continued that into my college career. Officially, I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Ceramics although I don’t get to use that for my current work. Read more>>