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.

Zach Wetzel | Arts Educator and Theater Producer

I pursued a career in the performing arts because it brings me joy. And it also brings joy to others. I have a two-tiered system that has served me very well since 2019. I teach Music and Theater full-time at an amazing charter school. I am then free after school to pursue acting and music directing work part-time. I am also on the Admin team for a professional theater company. It brings me joy to know that I’ve helped someone through my work. I have had patrons come up to me after a show and say that our performance gave them hope. This is why I do what I do. In my arts education work with children my mission is to “help empower youth to find their voice through the Arts.” Read more>>

Fernando Carpaneda | Visual artist

I pursued an artistic career because I’ve always been drawn to expressing myself creatively. Art allows me to explore my thoughts, emotions, and perspectives in a way that feels natural and fulfilling to me. Creating something new, whether it’s a painting, a piece of music, or a story, brings me a sense of joy and purpose that I couldn’t find in any other field. Art has the power to inspire, provoke thought, and evoke deep emotions, and being able to contribute to that as an artist is incredibly meaningful to me. Read more>>

Vincenzo Carroll | Writer & Editor

When I was little I had a series of dreams where I went on apocalyptic adventures with my friends. My grandmother told me to write it down and it became a novel. I was groomed to be an agent but hated it once I became one. Got an associates in business then took off to look after my gran. When the cancer took her, she and my parents wanted me to go back to school. I tried to continue the business tract but the advisor said I didn’t seem interested. We spoke of other things until my book came up. She said I seemed to have a creative mind and suggested the film program (this happened to be my school’s specialty) I signed on and never looked back. Read more>>

Brooke Jai | Recording Artist, Vocal Coach, Songwriter & Musical Theater Performer

Ever since I was a little girl around the age of 4 I knew that I was created for something different. I would always prefer to sit at home and practice, watch movies over going to parties or hanging out with friends. My father is a world renowned preacher. He’s traveled all over the country, the world and ministered to people. I remember being a young girl and getting the opportunity to go on revival with him and perform city to city. I was always in awe and inspired by how he could encourage people, and how they would just flock to who he was & what he said. Once I branched out on my own and started doing musicals, my own CD, singing backup I knew that this was the life I was meant to live. The excitement of the lights. The rush when somebody comes up after a show crying just to tell you how much you touched them…..That’s why I perform. Everyone needs a place they can go to escape themselves and be free; I’ve always enjoyed having the privilege to create that experience. Read more>>

Elysha Joy Sideman | Jewelry Artist & Sculptor

I have always been an observer, a collector and a maker. I grew up on a small island surrounded by nature. I have collected shells, rocks and other intriguing objects for as long as I could walk along the shorelines. I have grown gardens, watching patiently as seeds peek through the surface of the softened soil, sprout, and eventually grow into colorful flowers. I have used my hands to paint, mold clay, wrap wire, form metal, shape stone and pull paper. It is here that I find joy. Learning a variety of craft techniques over the years lead me to my current way of experimenting with and manipulating natural materials and combining them with the treasures I find. Read more>>