We asked rising stars from the community to open up to us about their end goal. We asked them where they want to be, professionally, by the end of their careers and have shared some of those responses below.

Amber Schnitzius | Ceramic Artist

For my personal journey as a maker, I want to continue to stay open to new ideas and push myself to try new things. Clay is such a diverse medium with a broad spectrum of artistic uses that in the end, I’d like to feel satisfied that I explored its versatility as well as stretched myself creatively. I don’t want to have any regrets that I didn’t continue to make time for my own curiosity and creativity. Through the teaching opportunities I’ve had, I have found true joy in sharing this craft with people. In a time when we are so glued to technology, being able to get your hands dirty and fully engage not only with the clay and your creativity but also with each other provides an escape into something a bit more meaningful. There is a lot of beauty in room of people navigating a new art form together, sharing their fears and discoveries and then eventually opening up and creating real human connections with each other. Read more>>

Chai “ChaiBee” Appling | Character Designer & Illustrator

Ideally, I would like to make a living purely based on the creation of my own characters, and telling their stories. It’s a rare and lucky opportunity that not many artists get to pursue full-time. Currently, I am privileged to say that I’ve been able to get by through commission work and freelance and that alone brings me great joy. But one day, I hope that I’ll have the honor of sharing my creations with the world and not have to worry about making ends meet. Read more>>

Rene Soto | Artist

One of my biggest dreams is that everyone has the oportunity to experience art in some form in a collective way not one artist at the top but many artists sharing with as many people possible. I hope, I wish and I asked to the universe to allow me to share light trough the healing process having art centers that offers free access to the arts for everyone but specially children so they never forget that they were born artist to be free and enjoy life, singing, dancing, painting and creating. Read more>>

EB Harvey | Videographer

To serve or to be served – that should really be the question. I want to be able to positively impact the world around me, so I guess that is a never ending goal. I am the type of creative that does not make POWER and POSITION goals. I believe true power is in the position you are in. If you’re in the position to be served, then your speech and actions should reflect that which serves you; if you’re serving others then you’re recognizing where the need is. By the end of my career, I want to feel accomplished at using my creativity to serve, by sharing visions and to be served, doses of humility and discernment. Read more>>

Karla Duarte | Producer, Filmmaker and Storyteller

In the last year or so, I have witnessed how companies have integrated technology at an unprecedented speed that has made me wonder about my adaptability to change. I have learned to make the best of change to keep afloat in my career, even if this process was scary. The scary part is when your gut tells you to do it. While your mind makes you second doubt everything. The brain is a good ally, but it is not the only place where decisions take place. I am talking about mind-heart choices, but I will come back to this later. Unexpected events and change can often come with a sudden loss, grief, and uncertainty. It makes you come face-to-face with your worst fears because for a perfect moment, one had a goal in mind that made total sense, but then reality is presenting you with a different scenario. Life can push you to act. Read more>>