We asked some insanely talented artists, creatives and makers to tell us about when they know they were going to pursue a creative career.

RAZZA Moore

It was in 2018 when I decided to lock in and fully invest into my craft. I was in the studio consistently day in and day out! Putting together my greatest mixtape STA2. Dropping music videos all summer 2018 gaining a fan base and making a name for myself. Read More>>

Laurie Neilsen

I’ve known since at least fourth grade that I wanted to be an artist of some sort. That’s when I got my first camera, a little point-and-shoot novelty that shot 110 film I had to mail away to get developed. I declared then, at nine years old, that I wanted to be a photographer when I grew up. Read More>>

Valencia Baez

The first time I realized I wanted to pursue art professionally was when I was in community college. At the time, I was studying nursing because I felt it was what my parents wanted for me. They worried I wouldn’t be able to make a living as an artist. I didn’t want to disappoint them. Read More>>

Donté Clark

Ever since I can remember, storytelling has been my passion. When I was barely in kindergarten I use to sit in the house for hours learning from Hooked on Phonics how to sound out words, learning how to letter and identify words that was beyond my reading level. I would play the tapes and memorize books and stories that were told to me. Read More>>

Genevieve Baer

I have known from a very young age that I wanted to be an artist. I found diary entry from when I was in Elementary school that said something like: ‘When I grow up, I am going to be a famous actress and artist. I know I can do it!’. Ah, the confidence of youth! Read More>>

Curt Bonnem

Just before I entered the 5th grade, my family moved from Hillside, IL to Elmhurst, IL. There was a local children’s theater company which put on three productions a year and was entirely cast with children between 5th and 8th grade. Read More>>

Sage Mountainflower

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue my creative path as a fashion designer and owner of my brand, was when I volunteered at a native women business retreat in Albuquerque, NM. I was inspired by the women who were business owners and shared their stories of starting up and their challenges. One panelist was also a seamstress, creating traditional and contemporary clothing. Read More>>

Ryohei Miyazaki

I’ve never thought about doing anything other than music. I started playing the piano when I was a child, and after winning the top prize in a piano competition, I decided to seriously pursue a career in music. The turning point that led me to composition and arranging, not just performance, was an original musical I produced before entering Berklee College of Music. Read More>>