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.

KJ Murphy

I chose to pursue a career as an artists honestly because I was one of the few things I was actually really good. Ever since I was a kiddo I loved being creative. From theatre to ceramics, I loved it all. I had always had some interest in doing hair (I was obsessed with Tabitha from “Tabitha Salon Takeover) but never really considered it until after I had graduated high school. After high school I went to college for about one and a half years focusing on theatre arts, and while I loved my art classes, I was struggling in other aspects of college life. Read More>>

Nitra Olsen

When I was younger I was determined to be a successful doctor. I ended up pursuing psychology with the goal of helping people. After struggling with my own losses and traumas, I ended up working in more of a social work role. Burnout and compassion fatigue are legitimate issues when dealing with people who are struggling. Art has always been an outlet for me, so when I fell in love with pottery, I decided to shift my life in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. I’m very lucky to have been able to do so. Read More>>

Tyrell Myers

Much of my childhood was influenced by creative worlds, due to family members and those close to me taking interests in creative worlds themselves. Comic books, medieval fantasies and sci-fi worlds were always the go-to when growing up. I found those types of genres to be relatively easy for me to latch onto. Getting older, through my teenage years and into my twenties I started to have a fond appreciation for all things entertainment, very particularly film and all the passion that creatives give, to ensure their creations mean something. Not just to them but to others who may appreciate their work. Read More>>

Leanne Jones

I chose to open a faith based sober living because I saw a tremendous need. One that not everyone could meet, but it was deeply personal to me. My own life was completely transformed when I found faith based treatment and was delivered from my addiction to alcohol. After completing my program, I watched so many women go through the same year-long program, only to have nowhere safe to go afterward.  Read More>>

TQ Parker

I pursued a creative career in cosmetology because I’ve always been drawn to transformation—the process of taking an idea and bringing it to life. From a young age, I recognized that I had an artistic vision and a natural inclination toward creativity. While some people thrive in structured, analytical fields, I’ve always leaned toward artistic expression, where there are no limits to imagination. Read More>>

Alicia Wolfe

My creative journey has never been about choosing one medium, it’s about following where I feel led. Photography, especially, feels like a gift that allows me to document beauty, emotion, and truth. Whether I’m making jewelry or working on a visual concept, each form of art plays a role in how I live out my purpose, but photography has been one of the most consistent ways I connect with others and with myself. Read More>>