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.

Alan Simonton | Artist

My pursuit of an artistic carrier has been motivated by a few factors. I’ve always wanted to be a professional artist. Creativity has dominated my thought processes since I was in Kindergarten. The biggest influence on my pivot into this career came after the loss of my younger brother to cancer. He was an art installer at a private gallery in NYC, and an artist as well. After he passed I received his art supplies, and use them in every art piece I create. Whether its paint brushes, color pencils…etc. He is with me in spirit and motivates me to get better and have high standards in my art business. Read more>>

Bec Gombar | Dancer

I chose to pursue dance, being an artistic career, because I feel it poses the least risk of complacency. The arts, in general, are constantly evolving and offer fresh, experimental projects and career opportunities that are unique to any other field. Being an artist, it is exhilarating to trust in the unknown of what the next job or contract will be or lead to. This idealism has it’s downside, but is essentially what being in the industry consists of. The joy and adventure that a creative career brings is why an abundance of people choose the arts for life. Read more>>

Mark Murphy | Renaissance Festival Performer

I have always enjoyed performing. Something about showing the world what I am capable of and getting out to see all there is to see has been something I was interested in since I was very young. When I spent my first summer working as a renaissance performer, I got a taste of what that was like, and I loved it. I had some setbacks over time and life didn’t always let it work out when it was just a hobby, so finally one day I decided I was just going to start my own business as a ren faire performer and go for it. Read more>>

Julie Tillman | Personal Shopper

As a child I was always creative. I loved painting, decorating, crafts and putting outfits together. I received my degree in Interior Design from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and pursued a career in Set Design. After years as a stay at home mom I felt the desire to pursue an outlet for my creativity but also allow me to be home for the kids after school. Luck lead me to Polliwogs Childrens Boutique four years ago. I became the personal shopper…Personal Polli. Putting outfits for the cutest little customers is a joy! Read more>>

Monique Barsh | Actress & Filmmaker

I truly believe acting and being a creative was a gift from God that I was born with. Having the freedom to escape from everyday life and create is so magical to me Read more>>