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.

Hannah Gray-Chambers | Auntie & Creative Being

AdornedFRDM started from challenging myself to explore more modes of creativity. I found myself in this cycle all of my life, picking up new things, but never finishing or seeing them through. I have a knack for cooking, holding space for others, but was longing for a bit more. So I found myself down at the Dollar (25) Tree picked up some yarn, a hook took to YouTube University for some crochet tutorials and I fell in love. Read more>>

Nasimeh B.E. | Artist and coach

Truly – I had no choice. Some of us are just born as such: meant to be creatives, meant to be artists. At times, I wished so deeply I wasn’t so! It has not always been an easy path. But it is my path, and one I would not trade for the world – for it is my own. Read more>>

Irlanda Navarro | Designer & Illustrator

Art has always been a part of my journey. From childhood pottery classes and playing with watercolor to studying design in college, creativity has been my constant companion. Whether it’s graphic design, hand-drawn illustrations, or exploring new mediums, creating comes naturally to me. Choosing a creative career was simply an extension of this natural inclination. In my day-to-day work, I closely collaborate with entrepreneurs to design their brand identities and websites, which brings me immense joy. Guiding them as they launch their brands feels like unlocking their creative potential in the digital space. Read more>>

Tiffany Bociek | Multi media artist whose focus is in using Encaustic as her main medium

There was nothing I ever really wanted to do except make art or be creative. When I was in 4th grade, we had a career day at school. Part of the prompt for this day was to come dress as your future career or job. I watched as child after child filed into the classroom wearing a white lab coat to indicate some sort of doctor, vet, zoologist, etc, or other children draped in their father’s oversized blazers transforming these children into lawyers or presidents. Other students would walked in the classroom in modest dresses with hair up in a tight bun to indicate the stately identity of a teacher. Read more>>