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.

Kelsey Engler

Art has always been the language through which I express my deepest connections, emotions, and experiences in this wild world. Pursuing an artistic career wasn’t just a choice—it was a calling. As an artist you have this unspoken power, and with great power comes great responsibility right? Growing up I was placed on this Earth in the most uncreative and suppressed place you can this of, the deep south. I was surrounded by farm animals that were immersed in chores and work, however from a humble starting I grew a bond with these creatures.  Read More>>

Kelsey Watley

The short version is, it’s where I’m most comfortable. I wasn’t necessarily born to a very artistic family. Both my parents loved music, movies, and art, but they weren’t exactly creative. They definitely tried to foster it in me when I was very young and started writing poetry or little stories. My step-dad, though, was the biggest influence on me when it came to creativity. He was a former English professor at Cambridge, and he saw a love of words in me and did everything he could to nurture that. Read More>>

Beige Radio

Because if I don’t I’ll explode. Hahahaha

Really though, that is a decent chunk of it. I’ve found that when I go for periods of time without creating my mental health deteriorates significantly. I think it’s how I keep things fresh…how I self-reflect, interpret the world, process things and feelings. It’s kind of my version of prioritizing how “variety is the spice of life.” Doing artistic and creative things takes me out of what I often find to be the drudgery of everyday life. I want to create and get lost in worlds and build community with friends. I think there’s real value in that and to hit on a very often over-used, but important theme of our time – Read More>>

Lance Holmes

I started pursuing Drag because it was liberating! I grew up in rural Virginia and always tried to fit in with other kids. They made fun of me because I talked and acted “like a girl”. Drag was the outlet where I could perform and wear the things I wanted to wear and look the way I wanted to look without fear of what other people thought of me! Read More>>