Artists in Six Words

The Twentysomething Creative Experience

Photo: Photo by Dan Farrell on Unsplash

As if being a young artist in a subjective industry wasn’t hard enough, living in a (almost) post-pandemic world makes it that much more difficult and competitive. According to “Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, U.S. and States, 2020” from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), “Core arts and cultural production industries, which includes performing arts, museums, design services, fine arts education, and education services, decreased 20.6 percent, adjusted for inflation, in 2020….Arts and cultural employment nationwide decreased 11.6 percent in 2020…” Not only does this data represent the many who lost a source of income, but also those who sacrificed learning opportunities, technical resources, networking access, etc. For some in the early stages of their work experience, these adverse effects of COVID-19 became major setbacks. Today, despite the odds, twentysomethings in America are working harder than ever to pursue their professional passions and make sustainable careers for themselves.

I was inspired to learn what these innovative people might be thinking and feeling during such a challenging season. As a twentysomething in the wake of a global health crisis, how could one creatively describe their art, career, or life right now? I challenged artists to explain in six words.

These stories were collected from thirty-five individuals ranging in age, gender, race, class, religion, sexual orientation, location, etc. With the goal of vocalizing their diverse experiences in a complex industry, often built on contact and collaboration, these are the opinions of young, foundational truth seekers.

SIX-WORD STORIES:

“Playing music for a sinking Titanic.” (Trevor Rinzler, 23, Writer)

“In everything: show up, have fun.” (Jacob Rodriguez, 20, Actor)

“Fingers crossed, testing lots, maskin’ up.” (Anonymous, 24, Stage Manager)

“The opportunity to learn something new.” (Tyler Rispoli, 23, Motion Designer)

“It will all make sense eventually.” (Albert Kuo, 21, Saxophonist)

“Cerebral confusion sips wasted passion tea.” (Sarah Arain, 23, Littérateur)

“Desolation clouds floating through sunlit skies.” (Jamie Scangarella, 24, Actor/Fitness Professional)

“In a liminal space. For now.” (Alexa Mark, 23, Artist)

“A messy, unpredictable yet addicting journey.” (Angelynne “Ajay” Pawaan, 24, Director/Actor)

“Black coffee and a little nausea…” (Antonio Flores, 23, Actor/Singer/Pianist)

“Google the ‘this is fine’ meme.” (Lois Shih, 25, Actor)

“Live laugh love, live laugh love.” (Joy Portinga, 23, Event Photographer)

“Nothing if not together — bloom! Rise!” (Simon J.O. Martin, 23, Writer/Director)

“Mundane excitement, doubtful self, conquered mind.” (German Flores, 25, Actor)

“Growth / change that’s painful but necessary.” (Carly Coberly, 23, Producer/Creative Director)

“Laugh it out, or die crying.” (Leo Ebanks, 28, Actor/Singer) 

“It’s my time for innovative progress.” (Amrutha Murthy, 21, Band Director)

“Anxious, tired yet hopeful and inspired.” (Violet Meyers, 23, Interior Designer)

“The Weather? It’s raining volcanic ash.” (Emmalias, 20, Writer/Dramaturg)

“Representation / Discrimination. Please mind the line.” (Lauren Choo, 23, Actor)

“I should get a ‘real’ job.” (Dane Liberatore, 25, Director)

“Vulnerable, Unexpected, Expansive, Complex, Personal, Human.” (Sabrina Liu, 24, Actor)

“Smiling through the ten-ton weights.” (Jolie Andersen, 23, Actor)

“English Words Insufficient. Auf Deutsch: Torschlusspanik.” (Stephen Archinal, 25, Videographer/Editor)

“Curiously learning who I am daily.” (Vanessa Flores, 24, Actor/Singer/Dancer/Choreographer/Producer)

“Recently graduated Peruvian / American actress trying.” (Rickie Emilie Farah, 23, Actor/Dancer/Singer/Teacher) 

“Magic blooms in new, unexpected places.” (Victoria Bardwell, 22, Floral Designer)

“Front row seats 1,000 miles away.” (Anonymous, 26, Pianist)

“Everything matters again, at this moment.” (Erica Kahn, 23, Director/Choreographer)

“​​No-Covid-multiverse me affords dreams.” (Augusta Summers, 22, Model/Actor)

“Gratitude, exhilarating, melancholic, uncertainty, and seduction.” (Ryan Cuan, 21, Actor)

“Creativity is confined to a cubicle.” (Sheila Babbitt, 23, Social Media Coordinator/Wildlife Photographer)

“Charting towards happiness, stability, and growth.” (Stephen Lightfoot III, 22, Actor)

“Train, break, improve, back to 1.” (Elizabeth Blackwell, 24, Stuntwoman)

“In the chaos, her dreams arrived.” (Vanathi Sundararaman, 23, Actor)

These points of view are significant because they represent a colorful assortment of young artists who triumphantly communicate both anxiety and hopefulness in this particular chapter of their lives. Armed with curiosity and compassion, their resilience manifests itself in this bold anthology. While some remain bitter and others optimistic, their contributions to this piece are representative of their indefatigability as a collective, who continue to wear their artistic titles with pride.

Creativity persists dependently and independently. As eloquently put by Steven Pressfield in The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, “We feel comfortable with the tribe around us; it makes us nervous going off into the woods on our own. Here’s the trick: We’re never alone. As soon as we step outside the campfire glow, our Muse lights on our shoulder like a butterfly. The act of courage calls forth infallibly that deeper part of ourselves that supports and sustains us” (44). For new professional artists who find themselves affected by a global outbreak, this concept appears to be exceptionally true. Alone and together, restless spirits adapt to (re)build and (re)create.

When taken together, these succinct stories only represent a sample of the world’s next deeply observational, tenacious, romantic, and imaginative visionaries. Their voices demand change, their minds reimagine the standard for patience, and their hearts never stop beating for the craft.