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.

Matthew Studebaker | Photography Tour Leader

“Uh Oh, sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays!” The movie “Office Space” was released just as I was making my college decisions. I knew I wouldn’t last long in a corporate office. I had to be creative. I had to be outdoors. When I told my parents I was going to study photography and painting, they were supportive. It didn’t hurt that my grandfather was also a professional artist. He did it. So could I. My impulse to create was almost for of a need than a desire. It never felt optional. Read more>>

Sarah Winther Lagersted | Artist

I studied art history at university in Rome and as I got more immersed into the subject, I grew increasingly more fascinatined and curious by the practice of making art. As many other artists I always enjoyed drawing and being creative as a child, but it wasn’t before my early twenties I took my first art class and more seriously worked on evolving my artistic skills. I have always been creative but I wasn’t sure how to use it and I never imagined I would be a professional artist, especially because I didn’t go to art school and I began art classes when I had already chosen another education and felt like I was “too old” to start. Read more>>

King Gabriel | Creative Director & Songwriter

I believe Creating is powerful. I enjoy being a Creative director/Songwriter because it puts a smile on my face when realizing what I could create. Ever since I was a kid, I was always inspired by what I could do with my own mind. My first time being exposed to creativity was drawing from landscapes, cartoons, to portraits. It was always exciting when I finished a drawing. Another example is learning my journey to be a songwriter. Read more>>

Crystal Riha | Fine Arts & Mixed Media Artist

I’ve been creating art ever since I was old enough to pick up a paint brush! My mom and dad are very artistic and we’re constantly doing artsy and crafty things with me as I grew up. So, it’s in the family genes! I didn’t start trying to make it into a career until about 2 years ago when I was having more and more people reach out to me wanting to buy my art, after me posting it on my social medias. So that’s when I realized – hey, one day I can be making a living off of something I absolutely love doing! That’s when Crystal Riha Creations was born. Read more>>

giovannie | Athlete turned artist

When I read this question the answer that comes to mind is to own self expression. And then I start to think how being creative doesn’t just come to an end especially not based on some random timeline. Art has a lot of grey area and you get to make up the rules. Read more>>