Do you remember the moment you realized what you wanted to do professionally? Was it magic? Was it scary? We wanted to hear from some of the most talented artists and creatives in the community and so we asked them to tell us the story of the moment when they knew they were going to pursue a creative career path.

Ishanya Singhal

My childhood was steeped in creativity, with each day offering a new canvas for my imagination. I adored crafting hand-drawn cards for any occasion, big or small, reveling in the personal touch I could bring to each piece. Read more>>

Bryan Keith

It was in college after studying to be a physical therapist. I had been doing some small market modeling in malls, feeling like I was “acting” like a model the whole time and got curious about this acting thing. Read more>>

Fu Krazy

I have always been a lover of music . When I was a kid , I used to love playing drums and i would make beats by hitting the top of my desk at school. I got into poetry because I loved putting words together and rhyming Read more>>

James Lord Parker

It was early on for both of us. Jad was born with a guitar in his hand and was shredding before he could walk, and I was ten when I started taking acting classes and writing terrible poetry. Read more>>

Valencio Ambursley

At the age of 17 I wanted to persue and take my career as a recording artist serious. Prior of that age in my younger teens I would always write Ontario and post litttle rap and singing videos from time to time on the internet but as a hobby. Read more>>

Liv Bailey

I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path from a very early age, probably since elementary school if I’m being honest. I was always itching to do something visually creative, it interested me more than any other topic that was taught in school. Read more>>

Charli Arkle

The earliest memories I can think of are of being in dance classes and performing on stage. My parents put me into dance lessons when I was about three years old, and I just never stopped! Read more>>

Zarena Rigby

I discovered the art of jewelry-making, silversmithing, and working with fire when I was a high school sophomore. Being an artist in various forms throughout my life has always given me a sense of purpose, even in moments devoid of any specific goal. Read more>>

Derrick also known as Cliché

It all started with a needle and thread. As cliché as that sounds, I always had a love for fashion. I would study the game, different brands, styles, and designers. I didn’t know how to sew. Read more>>

Kelly Franké

I can honestly say that it’s been my lifelong dream, ever since I was a small child. I wanted to be just like my dad, who worked in his home-studio as a commercial illustrator. Read more>>

Johannes Rillo

My toy photography evolved from a lifelong passion for collecting toys to discovering a new creative outlet on Instagram. My journey from dabbler to artist, using editing apps to enhance my visual storytelling, Read more>>

Nia Renée

I knew when I was eleven years old. I was obsessed with all things dystopian, especially The Hunger Games series. I fell in love with the books and movies. Read more>>

Cari Hunter

Ever since I was young, I have loved watching movies. Each time I watched one, I found myself curious about its creation. I wanted to understand the process behind animating scenes or designing the props used by actors. Read more>>

Taylor Wegman

I knew that when I accepted the position at the Ohio Statehouse it would be nothing short of exquisite. We had the pleasure of planning and executing Governor Mike DeWine’s Inaugural Gala and Swearing-In Ceremony in January 2023 and that weekend made me realize I wanted to make a name for myself in this industry. Read more>>

Joshua Lozoff

I had just quit my career as a professional actor, and moved from Hollywood back to North Carolina, where I was raised. My plan was to quit the performing arts and lead a simpler life. Read more>>

Allyson Edmonds

I first realized I wanted to become a recording artist about 2 years after graduating college. I had always written songs and performed as a singer, but never took songwriting and recording seriously. Read more>>

Brandon Davis

I was surrounded by music from the moment I was born. Whether it was my grandparents or my dad and uncles, music was always a big part of Davis family events. Read more>>

Yana Gibbs

From the age of six, I was always singing. at first it started off with Disney Channel musicals and Nickelodeon theme songs, then later, trying to sing the challenging high notes of the gospel singers, such as Mary Mary, Read more>>

Debbie Briggs

After I heard the applause following my solo performance of Sleeping Beauty’s “Once Upon A Dream” in the 2nd grade talent show, I was positively hooked. Read more>>

James McGrath

When I was in college I was going to a lot of punk shows. One day I was in Richmond with my best friend who was visiting from another town to see my favorite band. Read more>>

Alison Price

Truly, I think I was born this way. I have always had an affinity for color, shape, texture, and space. As a child, I would squint at sunbeams, to see them refract into tiny rainbows, Read more>>

Brandon Vosika

As long as I can remember I’ve relied on creativity and thinking differently as a means to move through the world and communicate how I feel. Read more>>

Allison Natalia

That’s a fantastic question! It’s interesting because my creative journey wasn’t a single moment, but a series of passions coming together. Read more>>

Sowhatimdead

As a kid I would tag along to the radio station with my mom because she was an on air DJ, and actually still is to this day. Read more>>

DES Taylor

Ever since I studied Graphic Design and Imagemaking at West Herts College, way back in ’92 While others in my class were studying to become freelance designers I was already plying my trade and earning extra money designing letterheads and nightclub flyers. Read more>>