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?

Heath Thomas

My most meaningful project would be my second full album “Indian Burial Ground” for my band From the Grave. That record is special for a few reasons, but mostly I am proud of how From the Grave persevered through those uncertain times of the pandemic. Life imitates art far more than art imitates life and looking back, I almost had to get lost in it to see the record through during that time. A few songs on the record were the first songs I wrote for the band in 2006. It felt great finally seeing my vision come to life. Read more>>

Redd Alder

My most meaningful project as been the current format of my band and the task of making playing cover tune gigs more interesting and meaningful. A lot of times it has been discouraging and grueling, playing gigs, be it a wedding or a club gig and there is a D.J. there to go follow or to play in between sets for the band. Most times, when the band returns, the overall energy of the room/crowd is diminished when the band returns because they cannot match the energy or repertoire of the D.J. It’s a losing battle. With #TheAwkwardLife, we have been able to match the energy and capabilities of D.J’s without turning the gig into a hostile competition. We bring our technology and skill to enhance a compliment the overall experience. Our format consists of playing along with tracks of the actual artist performing while band plays a live rendition or remix in real time.  Read more>>

Junru Zhai

My most meaningful project is the single “Turns” which was released back in 2021. This song has accumulated over 50 million streams in Chinese DSP, and it’s undoubtedly my most known single. The song is also used in a Chinese TV show “Let’s Meet Now” as the OP of every episode. This has led to audience from Taiwan to follow this song on Spotify, which gave this song some streams on Spotify as well. These achievements I’ve listen shows that why it’s a meaningful song for my career. However, other than that, it’s also meaningful to me personally for the message and the process of making it. In 2021, the year of Covid, the world was feeling a little out of it, and I went back to China since that year China had the virus contained(this is before Omicron obviously.) Everyone who enters in China has to quarantine for 14 days. The hotel are all randomly selected. Me, unfortunately, was selected to a not so ideal hotel. During my quarantine, I had nothing to do other than eat, play games, and sleep. It was at the last night of the quarantine, I felt the sense of freedom, and I was excited to finally move out of this little room that I can’t even find a space to do a push up. I heard the beat of Turns, and I wrote out the whole song in like 30 minutes, and I went to bought the beat exclusively. Read more>>

Justin Andrew Davis

You Look Great was both my first short film as a filmmaker and a narrative based on my personal experiences with eating disorders. As you can imagine, the anxiety of only ever being in front of the camera as an actor, coupled with the anxiety of publicly sharing my struggles with mental health, made for a thrilling yet very panicky headspace. I had no idea of the time, energy, and resources (financial or otherwise) it would take to create a compelling movie, let alone how my friends, family, and peers would respond to me revealing my longstanding battles with diet, exercise, and body image. Still, I had this subconscious confidence cheering me on. Every day, something inside me was screaming: this is your story, only you know how to tell it, and not only will this help you heal, but it will also make others feel less alone. Eventually, confidence became conviction, and soon enough I was on set revealing everything I had spent so long keeping secret. Read more>>

Stacey Powells

Right now I’m working on my book, “The Inch Between Us.” It is a memoir/narrative non-fiction account of what it’s been like for me to be the mother of a felon. My oldest son was arrested on Christmas 2017. He had been a meth and cannabis user for over 20 years and as with many meth addicts, he became violent. I’m diving deep into why my son became the person he did. It’s a complex jigsaw puzzle including drug use, epigenetics. enabling, fate, soul contracts, the effects of high cortisol levels while I was pregnant and so much more. The book is about rage and disappointment, despair and disgust. It is about how his actions rippled across our family, stretching outward to numerous friends and families other than our own. But it is also about redemption and faith, with the hope that the millions of other parents who have troubled adult children – and there are millions of us – will see that there can be a light at the end of our dark tunnels. It is about how little signs from above have fallen into my lap, showing me that there can be hope for my son. I never would have believed in redemption had I not seen it for myself. Read more>>

Yuki Li

I think the most meaningful project for me is my undergraduate thesis animation titled Around. It tells the story of a character’s childhood memories after she left her hometown. The memories serve as roots supporting the character, and her hometown is always with her. When I was working on assignments or daydreaming in my dorm in the US, memories of my hometown would often flash through my mind, like the view from my home’s balcony and the streets I frequently walked. These memories are like tree roots; even though I’ve left my hometown, they continue to nourish and support me as I move forward in life. I started working on my thesis in January, but I found it challenging to clearly express and visualize this nostalgic feeling. My instructors thought the initial story draft was confusing, so I had to keep refining it until it became clear and solid. Read more>>

Christopher Brandon

It’s hard to pick just one, but I would say the first project we did in Vail valley, Colorado, was a very meaningful project for us. It was one of the first projects we chose to do outside of Southern California and it was also the 3rd project with some of our favorite clients. They’re a wonderful couple who were very nearly the first clients I ever had after opening the business in 2009. They are very trusting and although we hadn’t done any work in CO at that time they wanted to go out on a limb and hire us, mostly because they wanted to do something different with the home. It was a great opportunity to get outside of our comfort zone and design something avant garde in a new community and a very different climate. It was an awesome project and very rewarding to work with clients who became good friends and provided just as much creativity and energy as we did (she was the interior designer on the project). The home was a big success by many measures: happy clients, financially (in an uncertain market), and won many awards including the Best in American Living Platinum Award, Best in Region, and Home of the Year, 2019 Read more>>

Karim Orange

I’ve worked on many meaningful projects, but none compare to my current company, Garden of Kicks. My journey began decades ago with a career in makeup artistry, working with celebrities such as Mary J. Blige and Matt Damon. For this, I received two Emmy nominations for my work on the ABC Television talk show The View. Then, a severe allergic reaction to my everyday lipstick redirected my career toward eco-friendly beauty in 2001, long before ‘clean beauty’ was a trend. I loved working with brands that prioritized removing harsh chemicals and was I was dubbed a ‘Green Star’ by Elle magazine. However, the clean beauty industry felt unwelcoming for women of color; clean beauty was often exclusive, with few shades for us and few opportunities to influence brand decisions. This lack of inclusivity was a driving force behind my mission to make eco-friendly beauty accessible to all. Despite being an early pioneer, I was barely scraping by financially. Read more>>

Cornelius Versa

This one I’m working on today, as Cornelius Versa, the Americana singer-songwriter. I spent a lot of years training in Musical Theatre and Opera. I needed that training to hone my craft and learn my voice. But after the pandemic, it became clear it was time to get back to my roots in country music. It’s intimidating to pursue a career without the support than comes with a troup, an opera house, but I’m finding it’s more meaningful. I get to apply everything I’ve learned about my voice and music to tell the stories I feel need to be told. Read more>>

Akiko Tokuoka

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was my first theater production “TANABATA 2021” that was 3 years ago.

 This work is adapted by me from a Japanese traditional myth about star-crossed lovers. I created it as an interactive contemporary work, which included; Hip Hop & Vogue dancing styles, singing, and improv comedy.

This experience was truly a breakthrough for me in bringing my artistic career to the next level.

 This show was one of the biggest reasons why I got a green card 4 months ago after 18 years, as a performance artist, in the US .

 I believe I received an “invitation” from the universe. 

Before the pandemic, I was a dancer and a dance instructor at school. It was the only thing I could do and I was fine with it.

 I struggled during the pandemic since entertainment and show businesses were completely shut down in NY.

 However, I realized how much I loved art, performing, interacting with the audience and creating the moment together while I performed. I really missed that, as well as “ACTING” which had been sitting inside of my soul for a long time. I thought it was too late to learn something new.

Read more>>

Kristen Rocco

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my podcast, Bold Moves: How Did You Know? It allows me to share diverse life and career stories that inspire others to make bold moves toward their dreams. The idea came from my own experiences of feeling stuck and breaking free through small, courageous actions. I’ve learned that it’s not about what society says success looks like, but about how you define success for yourself. When I realized others might also want to learn from people who challenge norms and create their own paths, Bold Moves: How Did You Know was born. Since launching in March 2023, I’ve interviewed more than 40 entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives who’ve redefined success by following their authentic desires, not society’s expectations. Through these conversations, I uncovered patterns in how bold people think and act. This inspired me to create the “Bold Moves Recipe”—a framework for making bold moves to help others take steps toward a more authentic, fulfilling life. Read more>>

Ann Marie Ruby

The most meaningful project I have created is implanting humanitarian issues within all of my books, be it fiction or nonfiction. My job continues as I know I have so much more to give. Within all of my upcoming books, this sacred project will continue. Fear foils so many humans from pursuing their most meaningful projects. I stood under the dark skies and asked myself what I could do to help my fellow humans. Afraid of not just the dark nights or what’s under the bed as we all feared as a child, yet to deal with grief, financial obstacles, religious differences, and racial divisions. I knew I had to look under my bed and be exposed to the fear to deal with it and get over it. As a human with basic humanity, I wanted to give all the humans across the globe a huge hug. I wanted to tell them to take a breathing space and let all the worries evaporate with faith and know all shall be all right. You don’t need anyone but your own self to tell yourself everything will be just all right. The only way I could be with everyone without leaving my home was through my pen and paper. So, I brought my pen to paper as I knew this way, I could be there with you when you do need a hug. I could be there reassuring what your heart knew beforehand, everything will be all right. Read more>>

Damian Di Lisio

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was a set of illustrations for a nonprofit called Apple Playschools. I’ve been eager to work on designs that create a positive impact, so I joined Catchafire, a platform connecting artists with nonprofits in need of creative support. When I came across this project, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect in terms of scope, but I was drawn to the opportunity to take on something truly challenging and worthwhile. The project required me to create four architectural illustrations—three showing the interiors of classrooms and one depicting an outdoor area. Each illustration was designed to help faculty, students, and supporters visualize what these spaces would look like when fully built. Working on this project was both inspiring and fulfilling, as it allowed me to combine my creative skills with a mission-driven cause, making a difference in a way I’ve been wanting to for some time! Read more>>

Diego Barbosa-vásquez

The Opera Camp™ at CASC has been a transformative experience, uniting students, amateurs, and professionals in a collaborative opera production environment. The camp was designed not only to train young musicians but to foster a supportive community where everyone, regardless of experience level, contributes to the final performance. This collective approach empowers participants and strengthens cultural ties within the community, enhancing both individual growth and societal connection. This project’s success inspired my doctoral dissertation, and it has since evolved into a core initiative of the Performing Arts Laboratory, focusing on expanding its benefits to communities across the USA. This broader program aims to bring the same collaborative, inclusive opera experience nationwide, using the arts as a bridge to connect diverse voices and foster community resilience. Read more>>

Zeenat Isaacs

All my Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art Projects are meaningful and impact SM-ART Art projects offer children and families many benefits. Child development ,job creation beautifying spaces ,transforming communities, lives and people old and young example with children we see that even short spurts of creative time greatly impact social, cognitive, and emotional development of the children in our Sm-art programmes in their earliest formal years and create long-lasting memories. Read more>>

Augie Ryder

My most meaningful project is actually one that I’m finishing up currently. I’m working on my first EP “Full Moon”. It was 2 years in the making and I’ve been through so much during that time. The project is definitely a culmination of my best work and I am super excited to release it very soon! Read more>>

Bev Standing

I did a commercial for Kraft shredded cheese. The commercial was great but it was special to me because my Dad, who was an advertising exec had the kraft account for years when I was a kid. He has long passed but it meant the world to me. Read more>>

Yu Vitor

The most meaningful project that I worked on was my first album in LA “(Keep Going With The Flow) which is I released it in last week. and the one short film I did a warrior role “INFANTRY” those 2 project changed my thoughts and mind. A lot of people asked me what kind of music you do ? I think that was most common question that I heard since when I got here. but I don’t like this question, I like all kind of music. I love make something. I don’t like to divide music by genre. I know it’s important and beauty as well, but for me “uhhh” to be honest at the beginning I started make a hiphop music, I was in genre too. but then I fell in love with “music”. all kind of musics and Arts is wonderful thing. in my new album I have all kind of genre and a lot of languages. I think we call this “Diversity”. in these days. Read more>>

Maribel Baltadano

It’s difficult to pick the most meaningful, but one of the first paintings that I worked on, is titled, “Norte” meaning North. It is one of my first memories that I have as a toddler. I have 2 very specific toddler memories that have always stuck out for me. This painting is one of them. I must’ve been about 18 mos. old, and it depicts when I am crossing to the united states being held by my uncle and grandfather. I feel this painting is very simple in it’s layout and presentation but, it actually encompasses all of me… where I come from, my journey and what I want my art to represent. Read more>>

Alexander Gore

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is called “Time Keeps Moving”. It started out as a painting practice. Every day that I felt called, or if I wanted to remember that day- I would paint the phrase “Time Keeps Moving”. Each day I use a different color. I date the back. This painting practice helps me cope with change and time moving. Although I still paint this phrase from time to time- it has inspired other projects. One is a newsletter I try to release every month on the website Substack, which is also titled “Time Keeps Moving”. I write about my own thoughts and experiences with time. I write about love and change. Really, it is way to capture what is going on in my life. Sometimes I dabble in videography. The videos I’ve made so far are videos capturing the beauty of life, the beauty of the now. I then add a voiceover in the background reading poetry that is about time. Read more>>

Crystal Pope

Growing up, my love for bold colors and all things sparkly often had people asking, “Where you going?!?” I liked to dress as if every day was a special occasion. And why not? Fashion has always been my playground, my canvas, my way of expressing myself. So, when in 2023, a marketing client asked me to style her for a boudoir photoshoot, I was thrilled! At first, I hesitated, knowing that being multi-passionate can be both a strength and a distraction, and I wanted to make sure I stayed focused on growing my business. But my excitement was undeniable. My husband saw it too and encouraged me to embrace this opportunity. So, I did, but with a twist: I told her I would style her but only if we did it through a marketing lens. Read more>>

Kolor The Rapper

Right now, a project that I hold near and dear to my heart is “EN-MOTION” it is the love letter to my inner child. It is the journal entries that didn’t make it on paper. These songs serve as pivotal reminders for myself and my listeners, that we are all capable and confident. This project originally came from insecurities I had surrounding the idea of what I have to show for myself after all these years. “Do I still have some tricks up my sleeve? what if my voice doesn’t sound the same? Looking at some of my lyrics and wondering “if this is any good” I used to think that success was directly measured by my accolades and numbers however, in my pursuit for financial and artistic freedom I have learned that the value is measured with experience and creating moments with individuals you might not ever meet. Changing perspectives and garnering actual supporters takes a lot more diligence and work. playing the politics, working behind the scenes as well as on the scenes. those are the skills I choose to focus my energy towards when it comes to the cultivation of my brand and music writing. “EN-MOTION” for me was the liberation of those negative thoughts, allowing me to unify my creative pursuits with the mastering of my craft. I encourage everyone to “keep moving forward”, as my grandfather would say. Read more>>

Yuxiao Mu

The project Phoenix at Sundown holds the most meaning for me. I started it in late 2022 as a response to my grandmother’s progressing dementia. When I call her by her nickname, “小凤” which represents “Phoenix”, she is surprised. I tell her stories from her past, and she laughs, embarrassed and says her memory is fading because she’s already in her sixties, but when I remind her she’s ninety, she gasps in disbelief. This project is an exploration through both her eyes and mine— what it is like to experience simultaneously the presence of memory and its absence. One image, of raindrops on a dim window backlit by sunset, reflects how dementia often worsens after the brightest parts of the day, casting a shadow on what was once so clear. Another shows melting M&Ms in my palm, a tribute to her love for order and sweets, but also an acknowledgment of the way memories dissolve, even as familiar things surround her. Read more>>

Markel Badallo

I’ve been deeply enjoying the recent projects I’ve been working on in collaboration with Global Citizen, like Alok’s *The Future is Ancestral* album. This project is especially meaningful to me as it supports Indigenous communities in Brazil and raises awareness about the critical need to fight deforestation. The chance to contribute to such impactful initiatives has been incredibly fulfilling, blending my passion for music with a commitment to meaningful change. Read more>>

Michael Cong

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of working on my first feature film, Midnight Sun, which was one of the most meaningful projects of my career. The film follows a young woman, haunted by the memory of a past lover, as she journeys to Maine’s border. Along the way, she meets a man who shares her feelings of loss and longing, and together, they forge a deep connection. Our cast and crew undertook a journey from New York City to Maine, stopping in Portland, Belfast, Rockport, and finally reaching Lubec, the easternmost town in the United States. What makes this project particularly significant is that we shot it in a semi-documentary style. Much of what we captured was unscripted, emerging naturally from our actors’ improvisations. We also street-cast many local Mainers to play roles close to their real lives, which allowed us to infuse the story with genuine local perspectives. Working with these local residents underscored for us the power of filmmaking as a bridge that goes beyond language, connecting people through shared experiences and emotions. Read more>>

Soo Ji Lee

One of the most meaningful projects for me is my book, “Dear Mom.” This work delves into the complex emotions of my childhood, emphasizing the love and sacrifices made by my mother. As a child, I often struggled with following her instructions, which sometimes felt overwhelming. However, as I grew older, I began to understand the depth of her devotion and the genuine desire behind her guidance. My hope for this book is to encourage readers to reflect on their own experiences and to appreciate the vital role family love plays in all our lives. In 2018, I had the opportunity to collaborate with KDB Life Insurance on a captivating calendar project featuring a pig as the main character. Through this character, I was able to depict various seasonal activities alongside his animal friends, celebrating joyful moments such as kite flying in spring and watermelon-eating contests during the summer. Utilizing Eastern watercolors, I captured vibrant colors and a warm atmosphere, which resonated positively with many people who saw the work. The encouraging responses were incredibly fulfilling and reaffirmed my commitment to my craft. Read more>>

T.l. Brown

While I would consider all the books I’ve written meaningful projects, I recently completed a collaboration with another author (Rose J. Fairchild). We produced a dark fantasy novella called “Faerie Fire & Demon Desire: A Darkly Delicious Correspondence” featuring a character from my Bellerose Witchline books and one from her Taste of Faerie series. Fairchild is a fan of my most popular villain, and I’m hooked on the characters she developed in weekly posts shared via her Patreon account. In “Faerie Fire & Demon Desire,” I wrote the odd chapters from a male perspective, and Fairchild wrote the even ones from a female point of view. Our original intention was to turn “steamy” correspondence between two former lovers into a lighthearted and fun novella, but we quickly dove into more emotional topics. While we had a general idea of what we planned to write, the unusual spontaneity of allowing our characters to “voice” alternating chapters helped us to dig deeper into the core of who they are, peeling back even more layers than we’d written previously on our own. That back-and-forth exchange allowed us—as authors—to learn truths about our characters we hadn’t realized before. Read more>>

Bridgett Martinez

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on was an original play called “Like Me”. In 2021, I received the Support For Artists grant through Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center (JDBCAC) in Cleveland, Ohio, which gave me both financial and physical resources to put up a project within my 3-month residency. At the time, I was about a year post-grad, however, the circumstances were not what I expected because I graduated from a theatre program in May of 2020. Because of the pandemic, the theatre industry was essentially frozen and Broadway was completely shut down. I was taking a break from theatre since school had burned me out and Zoom plays were not my cup of tea. But I still felt a desire to create. I had actually just started directing before the shutdown, so I wanted to continue learning that practice after studying performance for 4 years. Read more>>