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.

Virginia Santucci | Professional dancer

My family taught me the importance of self expression at a very young age. Obviously there are many ways to do it, and not all of them are artistic; but the more I danced the more I learned that this is how I best express myself.
It wasn’t about being artsy- I’m actually a pretty practical person- but it was just an extension of how I communicate. And it works the other way too in where I can understand the world and the people around me through dance. So sure I chose this career, but it’s just who I am so it was never really a choice. Read more>>

Christina Vo | writer

The simple answer is that I didn’t really have a choice. I had to pursue something creative, otherwise I never would have been happy. When I first started my career, I was certainly externally focused. I wanted to land a great job with a reputable organization. I desired external satisfaction, and throughout my twenties that was my path. I worked internationally in both Vietnam and Switzerland. I went to graduate school in the UK; I was doing all the right external things. But, I wasn’t happy. Read more>>

Alec Rapp | Sports Reporter & Producer

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I was always involved in sports. I played everything from baseball, to soccer, to floor hockey. Sports was something that I fell in love with and wanted it to be a major part of my life. Like most young boys, I wanted to be a professional baseball player when I grew up. I eventually stopped playing baseball prior to high school and joined the track and field team. I threw Javelin all four years in high school, and while I wasn’t great at it, I learned so many valuable life lessons. Read more>>

Dewane Hughes | Sculptor, Distinguished Professor of Art, The University of Texas at Tyler

I have always been a creative person, just never saw a use in it at a young age, being from a blue collar family in a small rural town. Through a series of fortunate events, I found myself in a Foundations Studio Art class with a professor named Mac Hornecker who was from a very similar background as mine, and quickly learned that making art had the potential of becoming a career. Using his mentorship and guidance as an example, I’ve managed to carve out a nice creative life. Read more>>

Stuart Strickland | Hair Stylist

I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic career ever since I was young. I’ve always loved art, and the process of creating something beautiful, start to finish. Read more>>

Gabby Elvessie | DYP Executive Director

I was 16 when I first joined DYP. I never thought it would turn into a career. I joined DYP because I finally found a place of belonging. My coach told me I should start taking poetry seriously I fought it for a while but destiny took hold. I just wanted to pour into the same org that poured into me. Now I can make sure it will be here for all the youth poets yet to come. Read more>>

Ashley Love | Fashion Designer/Fashion Illustrator

Being artistic and creative is all I know. I’ve been drawing since the age of six, so I knew I wanted to have a career in some type of art. Once I started researching fashion design, I knew that I wanted a career in that field. Read more>>

Bharathi Dev Mani Kannan | Visual Artist and Instructor

I have always been a creative individual in and out and at the same time I was also someone who was so out of touch with my individuality. My career in medical research straightened out my thoughts for me. In all the mundane years spent in claustrophobic laboratory spaces, colorful Petri dishes and microbial cultures growing in unique patterns kept me engaged and engrossed. Realization of what I want to do in life was born during that time frame but I still lacked courage. Read more>>

CAROL RIDDICK | Songstylist, Songwriter & Radio Show Personality

I pursued a career in the arts because it’s my passion, it is where I feel most comfortable, grounded, unique and authentic. It calls to me and exercising my creativity feels so natural to me. Read more>>

BK of BK & the Understanding | Singer-songwriter/Creative/Art

As far back as I can recall, music has always been an enjoyable and uplifting force in my life, and from childhood, I have always had a vivid and creative imagination, which certainly influenced my pursuits. As a teenager, my passion for music became a defining factor for me, and my inclinations to read and write, a love of literature and poetry, just began to spark my desire to create and share music with people. I began writing my own songs in high school, and I have continued this to this day. I have binders and containers full of poems and song ideas that I hope to one day reopen in fact. Read more>>

Anna Smith | Multi Media Artist

Pursing a creative career was something that just felt so innate for me personally. I’ve never really felt myself drawn to just one subject or one medium so choosing an artistic career gave me that freedom of having options, the freedom to push the limits of material and easily switch when I find something that does not work. It never really felt like I made the conscious choice to seek this path out, it was the primary way that I found fulfillment, so doing anything else felt like a disservice to myself. Read more>>

Eduardo Holguin | Art Director and Photographer

I believe in the power of art. Art is everywhere we go, in all it’s splendor. Growing up in a third world country, I did not have the cultural perspective of making a career out of the creative industry. i decided to study advertising and art direction trusting my gut that it would lead me to create the best version of myself Read more>>

Sarah Carrino | Singer/Songwriter (Folk, roots, blues, old time, bluegrass)

When I was a little girl, I remember getting very upset with the idea of growing up. My folks didn’t have an easy life and our home life was rough at times so naturally, as a child I wanted to avoid becoming an adult. I figured, if I never grew up then I wouldn’t have to deal with all the heartache and stress they faced. However, as I got older, I knew growing up was inevitable so I made a point to surround myself with things that made me feel young at heart. One way to do that was to be curious, playful, and artistic. Read more>>