The decision to participate in visual arts studies in college and visual arts professions in adult life is the product of multiple factors, including the influences of family, community, peer group, mass culture, and K-12 schooling. Recognizing African American underrepresentation in visual arts studies and professions, this article explores how African American youth conceptualize art as a pursuit, and "artist" as a possible identity. Aspects of the identity development process that are particularly salient to minority youth are found to play a significant role in African Americans' commitment to pursue a path to visual arts studies. (Contains 6 tables and 2 endnotes.)