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.

Maria Vallese | Illustrator & Artist

I don’t think I ever didn’t believe I was going to choose some sort of creative career, even as a kid. I was always told I was smart enough to choose any career – which at times lead to well-intentioned people trying to talk me out of going down the creative path. Read more>>

Jialun Tong | Visual artist

I grew up surrounded by art since I was young. Secondly, driven by inner passion, as I walk this path, I’ve discovered that art is universal. It transcends ethnicity and language, connecting the hearts of people. Read more>>

Tatianna Clanton | Digital Content Creator/ UGC Creator

“I have always been interested in anything social media as a fun hobby. It all started with YouTube , Instagram, then TikTok. As of last year in 2023. I have decided to take social media seriously. A lot of my friends and family would tell me that I have a knack for it. So i decided to give it a chance. Read more>>