Every once in a while we have the good fortune of working on a project that we feel truly matters, a project that we’ll still be thinking about years from now. Maybe even something we can imagine telling our grandkids about – surely you’ve had moments like that where something you did in your professional life really mattered?

Yiya Wang

I was horned to be part of the design team that worked on the University of California, Berkeley Accessible Paths and Places Master Plan. UC Berkeley is known for its leadership in disability rights, and this project went beyond just meeting ADA standards, but about making the entire campus a more inclusive space, one that could be navigated by everyone. With the understanding of people’s lived experiences and rethinking what design can truly achieve, our design team designed 24,800 feet of accessible pathways that connected not only buildings but also public spaces, ensuring that the campus felt open and welcoming for all. Read more>>

Stick & Bindle

We are Stick & Bindle, a folk duo out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky made up of Steve Covington and Anne Bangert. We bring rootsy, multi-instrumental tunes and traditional tributes to our local alt-country/Americana scene. In 2023, we began working on our debut album, Lore and Laments. These songs, equal parts tales of heritage and stories of heartbreak, come together as a compilation of our individual songwriting styles and have helped us forge our distinct voice as a musical duo. Read more>>

Legacy Lee

As a content creator, I notice that it’s the big brands that get highlighted the most, but as a foodie, I have the unique opportunity to shed light on the smaller businesses here in Austin. Through a series I produced called “Food Truck Fridays” I came across a Venezuelan food truck called “Cachitos 512”. I was in a rush that day and knew I wanted knew I wanted something quick and easy. Thankfully Arbor Food Truck Park isn’t far and offers a great variety. I was so excited to see that Cachitos was open because I had been eyeing their truck. I was even more excited to see that they offered gluten free options. Read more>>

Thomas J.i.v

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is undoubtedly Fasèon: The Rebirth, my first fashion show and the launch of my EP, The Rebirth. This project holds deep personal significance as it marked the moment I truly found my purpose as a creative. For years, I was on a journey of self-discovery, feeling unfulfilled despite having a stable career. I wanted more out of life and knew that I had a calling to create, to inspire others through music, fashion, and art. Read more>>

Grace Scott

A couple reached out to us and asked to preserve some of the flowers they received the week they lost their baby girl at birth. This was such a meaningful request and something I will always cherish. The frame I made is such an impactful piece for this couple. What an honor to make something so small, yet so significant in so many ways! Read more>>

Paul Clare

There have been several projects in various areas inside and outside of business. It is hard to narrow down one. The one that stands out the most is being able to produce high-quality handmade and fair-trade wave riding products domestically in the USA for 30 years. Read more>>

Dae Smooth

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my current E.P. It means a lot to me because it will be my first ever complete body of work. I’ve been making music about 6 years and have only released a couple of singles. It was hard doing everything for myself as an artist specifically funding studio time , beats, mixing and mastering, and promo while also being a full time student at that time. Now I finally feel ready to put a project out because I’ve been able to gather more resources and make more connections. On top of the financial piece of creating music I also realized that it was necessary for me to create a team of people that can help me along my journey. I’ve been able to cultivate connections with videographers, promoters, producers, photographers, engineers. This has really helped me realize that it truly takes a village to be successful. Read more>>

Ashara Holliness

The most meaningful project I have worked on was my project “Diary” . It was the first time I made music that was extremely personal and deep. I decided that it was time to start telling my story rather than just making good music . Diary follows my 4 years in high school and the obstacles I faced all the way until Graduation. Read more>>

Irina Chasov

As a children’s book illustrator, I have the privilege of working with self-published authors on projects that have a deep emotional and educational impact. Last year, I illustrated two books that were particularly meaningful to me. The first, *Thomás Returns to School* by Xiomara Gallego-Bernard, explores the topic of sensitive children and teaches valuable strategies for coping with situational triggers. Sensitivity, in both kids and adults, is an area that’s still not fully understood, but this book offers tools that can make life so much easier for children navigating these challenges. Read more>>

Franco Carlesimo

To give you some context, I was working on this project during a really tough period. I was struggling to get paid for a work-for-hire job, and the bills were piling up. At that point, I’d already been in the collectibles field for about three years, mostly creating superhero statues. And while superheroes are fun, my real passion has always been movie monsters, fantasy creatures, and horror. Read more>>

Ruby R Scott

I am deeply concerned about our wasteful society and its devastating effects on our global environment. In response, I have created a mixed media collection of paintings that incorporate upcycled and repurposed materials—such as paper, plastic, metal, grocery bags, tags, cardboard, string, and other interesting items I encounter. My goal is to be part of the solution to our throwaway culture, showing that beauty can arise from even the most unlikely sources. These artworks illustrate that we can all contribute to creating beauty in the world, whether by making art from discarded materials or by supporting and purchasing transformed works that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Read more>>

Juana Martinez

The most meaningful project that I have worked on was an art show in April 2024 called “Growing Up Hispanic” in which I brought in local Hispanic artists and their work and showing what is was like to grow up Hispanic in the beloved city of Oxnard. I collaborated with theatre talent to make the space immersive and colorful. to really shine a light and highlight the work of the talent itself. To bring in people who have never seen art like this before, like my parents and my sisters. To other peoples family coming to see the art show too. Read more>>

Travis Ball

I have a three song EP titled “Three Miles” I recently released based on family history from events involving my grandfather along with his older brother and sister in a small area of Kentucky known as Wallow Hole in 1921. This was during prohibition times, my grandfather’s brother was a member of a moonshining gang that made and distributed illegally moonshine from one end of Kentucky to the other as well as Ohio and some claimed all the way to New York City and Chicago. My grandfather’s brother left the gang causing a dispute between himself and the other members along with pressure from federal agents sent in to apprehend the moonshining gang, all coming to a head and resulting in my grandfather witnessing the death of his brother and sister. Read more>>

Austin Rodgers

For me, finding something meaningful in a project is essential for my success. It’s the basis of my creative process. When I initially read, or in some cases write a script – the spark originates from a desire to showcase the intricacies of the human condition. It’s all about discovering an emotion that’s powerful enough to radiate in my mind for days on end. Sadness, anger, fear, happiness and so on. If I can relate to a feeling, I can empathize with the characters in the story. This realization fuels me to do my best work. Read more>>

Mark Farrell

I have two writing projects that mean the most to me. The first is a young adult fantasy series that I started for my children years ago. It helped me bond with them as I loved seeing the expressions on their faces when I would create a chapter a week for them. It was supposed to be a one book story but it exploded into a six book series that I am up to book four on at the moment. This project was for my children but it did teach me the craft of writing and it is something I plan on releasing to the public one day in the future. Read more>>

Nastachia Jones

My most meaningful project I’ve worked on is honestly the songs I recorded for both of my albums. “My Time is Now” was my first album which was released in April of 2020. I was so proud of myself for completing my very first album and was so eager to show people I was not only a singer, but a writer as well. During the pandemic I took some time away from recording music to focus on my family, but by the summer of 2022, I was back in the studio. After a year of collaborating with the hottest producers, I wrote my 2nd album, “Letters To Billy Dee”, which was released in the summer of 2023. “Letters To Billy Dee” really means a lot to me because when I wrote it, I was older, experienced more of life’s trials and tribulations, and was just in a happier stage in my life compared to my first album. I had more to say and felt stronger and better at expressing myself thoughts in my music. Read more>>

Tati Arceneaux

My most meaningful project is actually split between two separate moments. The first was when I was commissioned to create a single strand of waist beads in memory of a loved one. I was sent a picture of a t-shirt the loved one wore, and I was asked to create something simple to give her sister comfort as she mourned her loss. I’ve had people send me all types of backstories for why they chose me or what led them to get the piece they’re requesting. This one was different. She told me she found me in a jewelry creators group and felt like I was the most genuine person to not only create for her but also to be able to bring her brother-in-law’s memory forward. I felt so…seen. Right when I was unsure about moving forward with my jewelry business, this woman, who doesn’t know me from Adam, chose me to create such a significant piece for someone close to her. I was honored. That single moment stamped it for me. I knew that what I created went beyond just beads on a string. These were memories, sounds, feelings, love stories, breakthroughs, triumphs, and so much more. Something that I certainly can’t get enough of. Read more>>

Karyna Pulcho

For 7 years of working in the tattoo industry the most favorite and meaningful thing for me is helping people who have scars, burns and bad experiences with tattoos made many years ago by an inexperienced artist. I remember how my love for tattoo and scar covers was born. It was 2018 and my first scar cover, then I was still afraid to do such work due to the lack of much experience, but the girl’s story prompted me to try to help her. It was a girl from my school with whom we did not communicate much, and I never knew what was going on in her life, and why she wore closed clothes even in the summer. Her arms were covered in scars from blades, and she was afraid that someone would see it. Then I decided to help her feel more confident and no longer be afraid of other people’s opinions. I covered her scars with a flower style and visually no one would have thought that there were scars there, she received many compliments about her new tattoo and began to wear revealing clothes without being embarrassed. This brought me boundless happiness and I fell in love with this part of my work with all my heart. Read more>>

Caty Maxey

I have worked as a Production Designer and Art Director for theatre, film, and TV for over 35 years, and made my ongoing personal art as well. Making glass or fabric or ceramic pieces (sometimes stand-alone in one medium, sometimes two media or all three in one) has always helped get through the down cycles of the entertainment industry. Two years ago I was Production Designer for and incredibly complicated and important project, CIVIL WAR. The film accompanies 4 reporters on their journey to document the contemporary civil war that is raging in a not-too-distant future in America. The subject matter was difficult but extremely compelling- we took our visual cues from global headlines, and it was intense. Blowing up a deli, tracking snipers in an absurd field of giant Christmas decorations, building a mass grave, and destroying the West Wing and its denizens as a gruesome finale. The point of the project was there are many, many questions we need to ask ourselves about the current political situation, and the director chose to not spoon -feed our audience with any easy answers, but to ask us each to think for ourselves. Making this film sharpened my vision and renewed my hope and faith in filmmaking. Read more>>

Megan Osyen

A particularly meaningful project to me was one of my final performances as a training actor. I had been in a performing arts school in London prior to attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, so being given the opportunity to round my training off in New York City made me really nostalgic. It was a macrocosmic moment of ‘look how much my life has changed’. The play was ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, I was playing Hermia. I remember experiencing the usual nerves that come along with wanting to do the text justice, while simultaneously feeling frozen in how to develop such an iconic character into something I can call my own. This is where my director Ibsen Santos came in, who is absolutely brilliant at injecting life into classical text. His approach was not only inspiring, but also totally transformative to my acting technique. Read more>>

Jiayang Liu

In the spring of 2024, I directed my most ambitious and personal short film so far, titled Teenhood. I had just turned 20, and this film was reflection of my years as a teenager. Teenhood is a story about family. Throughout my life, there have been far too many things I wished to have said to the people I love but weren’t able to because of the fear of judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding. However, I was quick to notice that this goes both ways. That the people we keep a piece of ourselves with are often doing the same thing. I began to understand that love occurs in proportion to one’s willingness to be hurt. Read more>>

Christopher Warlok” Stephens”

That would be my work entitled “AntiVirus”V2. I have been a loyal and devoted follower and admirer of the late Swiss Surrealist H.R. Giger since I was a kid. The first time I saw his work I could feel it in my soul, I was completely mesmorized by the images And I would go into the bookstore in the mall and grab Gigers Necromomicon and sit in there for hours on end, enraptured by the images and I read everything there was to read about him at the time as well. NO other person in my entire life has had even close to such a profound and lasting impact on me. About 15 years ago after more or less worshipping Gigers work, legendary lifestyle and perception on all things as well as being very intimidated by the idea of any attempt to recreate the style of visualization he so effortlessly accomplished, I decided to try it. My first attempt was not necessarily “bad” but I thought it was too ordinary and Not at all what I intended to accomplish. Read more>>

Josh Fields

Coincidentally enough, we’re smack dab in the middle of putting together our second release as a band. This is our first full length album – a venture I’ve never had the time/resources/know-how/wind in the sails to even dream of what it could be. In some ways, for me this has been a process ~13 years in the making. During 2021-2022, I was commuting to the band’s “HQ” in Madison, WI from Green Bay (something our stellar bass player is still doing) once or twice a week to write, rehearse, and eventually record our first EP. I was fortunate to really hit it off with the founder of the band, Spencer Fox (No Passenger Studio). Our history dates back to that fateful, aforementioned ~13 years ago, playing a handful shows together with our respective first metal bands. There was a bit of the re-warming up to each other but we ended up communicating and complimenting viewpoints in a balanced way. Read more>>

Yucen Yao

Confession: A Hand-Made Diary Book Project I created a hand-made book, writing the text myself and illustrating each page. This diary chronicles the journey of a PUA (pick-up artist) learner who initially dives into the world of pick-up artistry, seeking control and validation through manipulative techniques. As the learner progresses, the initial thrill of early successes gives way to a deep sense of discomfort and guilt. They slowly realize the emotional harm they are inflicting on others and, ultimately, on themselves. The story reveals the toxic cycle that PUA culture imposes, showing that the learner, too, becomes a victim of the very ideology they once embraced. Through their eyes, we witness the emotional toll, inner conflict, and eventual struggle to break free from these destructive patterns. My goal with this project is to awaken awareness of the dangers of PUA and the deep emotional damage it causes to both pursuer and pursued. In this project, I also experimented with photography and collage techniques, using these mediums to add visual depth and complexity to the story, symbolizing the fragmented emotional experiences of both the PUA learner and their victims. Read more>>