Often there is no book or course to learn how to do what you want to do – so how artists and creatives overcome such challenges? How have some of the most talented artists and creatives in the community managed to learn their craft?

Beena

I was living in Orlando before I moved back to Tallahassee in March of 2023. I was a project manager in Orlando and my company went bankrupt so they let us all go. Read more>>

Mariel Torres Ramírez

I would say I am 75% self-taught… from serving as the photographer for my high school’s newspaper and yearbook, launching a lifestyle photo blog during my college years, watching all the cinematic masterpieces I can get my hands on for inspiration, and even seizing the opportunity to take engagement photos for friends in my early twenties, all these experiences have been a crucial chapter in my learning journey. Read more>>

Terence Hobdy

Learning the craft…the craft of music. This journey for me began truly when I was 18 but started when I was 6. I am musician whose primary instrument is percussion/drumset. Read more>>

Liz Cox

My first hands on experience with stained glass was at a stand alone glass offered at Make It Springfield, which is a community maker space here in Springfield, Ma. Read more>>

Kody Hughes

Getting into video production was a massive learning curve for me. When I was first starting out I thought that all I had to know was how to edit videos. I was soooo wrong. Read more>>

Nelson Diaz-Marcano

I learn how to tell stories from an early age. I always love listening to stories and I love telling them for people. It took me years to understand this was a calling for me. Read more>>

Aviv Cohen

That, to me, is probably the most fundamental aspect of becoming a musician – practice. I was lucky because my older brother was a musician and kind of took me under his wing in terms of introducing me to a lot of different kinds of music and just generally including me in his environment with his cool musician friends. Read more>>

Robin Ayers

I’ve always felt natural at having conversation with different people from all walks of life. My true skill is listening when people share their stories. Read more>>

Emily Randolph

The process of learning one’s craft is a lifetime’s journey. I am self taught, but many artists have influenced my work over the years. Read more>>

Sherly (Tongtong) ZHANG

As a landscape architect, my mission is to sculpt outdoor realms, from intimate townhouse gardens to vibrant urban plazas, etc. Read more>>

Pleasurefaith

My father was a painter. We lived in a converted corner store, where his painting studio doubled as our living room. Because of this, my education as an artist started before I can even really remember. Read more>>

Theo N’Daou

I learned how to make zines first in elementary school, and quickly forgot about their existence entirely. It was only in highschool that I went to Quimby’s, one of the only zine stores in Chicago, that I realized the potential of these little self published booklets. Read more>>

Alex Stone

Learning how I came to find and connect with the craft of chainstitch embroidery is a significant part of my story. While I’m only 30, I’ve had a meandering journey through several non-creative disciplines, including anthropology, community farming, park restoration and forestry, marine biology, and sewing. Read more>>