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.

Jasmine Wooten | Mother, Social Work, & Artist

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, with a large family of five siblings, where I am the eldest. From a young age, I have had a passion for creating art influenced by my Father in different mediums, and I’ve always been known as the “Crafty” one. Whenever we had a project that required artistic skills, like designing a presentation or drawing a mural, I would be the one selected to take the lead. I was particularly drawn to black-and-white pencil portraiture because I found color to be intimidating. Having experienced motherhood, I have gained a deeper understanding of the value of being a purposeful parent. Through my years of single parenthood, I found that art served as an increasingly prominent means of self-care. Read more>>

Georgianne Ward | Photographer, Marketing Specialist, and Graphic Designer

When I was younger I always dreamed of being a Police Officer. After many years of looking up to Police Officers, and doing research on them, I realized that I would always appreciate the work that they do to help protect so many people in the world. It was not until someone very close to me handed me a camera, and I immediately fell in love. I would always find myself taking pictures, no matter what it was. My friends and family would often tell me “you can live in the moment, you don’t need to always be taking pictures” but that’s when I realized what impact having all those pictures can have on someone. Constantly taking pictures helps in preserving memories. Photos capture moments in time, allowing individuals to relive those moments later on. Read more>>

Chelsea Delahanty | Social Media Marketer

I’ve been into Art since I was a child. I come from a family with creative parents. They both always pushed me to utilize the gifts I’d been given. I look at life as a beautiful creation. I’m just the artist. It’s what I’m best at. Read more>>

Lauren Funchion | Hair stylist & business owner

I feel like it was something in my blood. I always knew that the things that interested most people didn’t interest me. I had an odd way of looking at thngs. So having amom as a hair dresser fuled that fire even more. Read more>>