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.

Anthony Augusta | Musician and Visual Effects Artist

I decided to pursue a creative career because I have always had a passion for expression. It is a liberating feeling to be able to say what I want to say with and without words. There is a famous expression that I always loved that says, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. For me, since music and audio were my first passions, I had felt that “A song expresses a thousand emotions”, whether it was one I would write or one I would listen to. Either way, once I found these keys to open an endless number of gates, I never stopped being creative. Read more>>

Allie Adamson | Oklahoma mama, DIYer, interior designer, content creator

I’ve always loved making my home a place that I absolutely adore and feel happy with. I started really getting into interior design after college and quickly learned how to do my own DIYs and eventually taught myself how to use power tools. I love the process of envisioning a room and then building it out and see it all come together! It’s so rewarding to me and what I truly find joy in! Read more>>

Leah Greenan | Lifestyle and Event Photographer

My family was always very nurturing of creativity so I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. I grew up working at Renaissance fairs, started dance lessons at eight, and inherited my first DSLR camera from my grandfather as a teen. My sister and I have always been very close so we had the advantage of bouncing art projects off one another. Read more>>

Linda Bonner | Artist | Author | Speaker

Creativity has always been a part of my life. My mom is a painter, sewist, crafter and even made many of our Barbie clothes. She is my inspiration for pursuing a creative career. Read more>>

Elaine Williams | Video/Visibility Expert, Comedic Speaker, Speaker Coach, Best-Selling Author, Comedian

Because I had to follow my heart. I grew up performing, singing, dancing, acting, making art. I tried to major in many other things until I realized that I had to be in the arts…that it wasn’t a choice. I am super passionate about self expression and people following their self expression; whatever it may be…Read more>>

Oscar Daniel “Juno Complex” Hernandez | producer, singer-songwriter, contemporary artist,

My primary passion lies in music and its diverse styles. I attribute my process of creation to the ring of sorrows I experience in day to day life. I know artistic liberation has kept the creative in me flowing through the currents of such. Read more>>