We asked some of the most talented folks in the community to talk to us about projects they’ve worked on that they still think about, projects that really meant something. Have you had such an experience? Are you looking for inspiration for your next project? Check out the stories below, they are exciting, entertaining, and most importantly – inspiring.

Matt Hamilton

That’s a tough question… now I’m a little anxious haha! There’s been quite a few, but the one that stands out most is a project I shot in Sri Lanka years ago. We interviewed a number of very brave women who, each in their own way, were fighting for women’s rights in a predominantly patriarchal society. The shoot was an incredible journey. It was fraught with many risks and moments of danger – but it also bequeathed some of the most beautiful and unforgettable moments I’ve ever experienced. Despite feeling EXHAUSTED from jet lag, insomnia, a frantic schedule and profound physically demanding circumstances, I realized a few weeks into the shoot that my entire being was 1000000% engaged. At the time I think I was 32, and I can tell you with complete conviction that, hitherto, I had NEVER felt that way. Feeling completely connected to the world around me and my artistic mission was a very wonderful and special feeling that, to this day, seldom repeats. It was that moment I realized what my calling was: to my abilities to elevate the stories of others. Read more>>

Amanda Ekery

Árabe is about Syrian and Mexican shared history and culture in the borderland and covers everything from food, gambling, and evil eyes, to immigration law, biracial identify, and the fraught relationship between immigrant entrepreneurship and workers’ rights. Árabe has been a five-year genealogy composition and research project that I’m excited to release this Spring 2025. This project has been so meaningful to me because it’s involved my family and allowed me to invite others into the creative process while learning about my personal identity and hometown history. Over the past 5 years, I’ve interviewed members of the El Paso Syrian Ladies Club, gathered oral histories from community members, worked with SWANA scholars and the Arab American National Museum to conduct extensive research to compose music and write essays that highlights the stories of Mexican and Syrian identities present in the United States. I’ve written 12 originals songs and accompanying essays with the history and personal stories that inspired each song that will be included as liner notes. The songs feature elements of jazz, creative improvised, and pop music styles. Read more>>

Christopher “preacher Boy” Watkins

I really appreciate being asked this question right now. In so many ways, I’ve been so fortunate in my career, in that I’ve been able to work with so many people I admire, on so many projects I love and believe in. And I can say with full confidence that just about everything I’ve been involved in creatively has been genuinely meaningful.  But all that said, I’ve just wrapped up a project that honestly kind of stands above it all in terms of how much it’s meant to me. I’m speaking of my new album, Ghost Notes, which has an official release date of November 1, 2024. I don’t exaggerate when I say I’ve been working toward this album since February of 2019. Having finally reached release day, it is, of course, not for me to say whether I’ve achieved what I set out to achieve—that will be for listeners to determine—but as far as I’m concerned, I’ve never been more ambitious or more driven to make something special and—hopefully—timeless. Read more>>

Kyndall Brown

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my poetry book, Unspoken. It was created during a time of intense heartbreak, grief, and personal transformation (spiritually and physically) . My older cousin, who was like a sister to me, passed away in a traumatic way, and it sent me into a spiral. Navigating grief as an adult was a completely different experience compared to when I was younger. Life doesn’t stop, it continues. However, that period of pain and reflection sparked a creative fire within me, pushing me beyond the limits I had previously set for myself. Writing Unspoken allowed me to process those emotions and explore new depths of my creativity. It was the start to the era of Soultalk, Kyndallsgallery, and Soul The Brand. Read more>>

Brian Jones

The most meaningful project that I have worked on is definitely my charity event called “Funds For Small Heroes”. It started out as a quick project for my college honor society the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). I was doing everything I could to obtain all of the certifications and awards that the NSLS offered and to obtain the final certification, I needed to organize an event that somehow benefited the community. I had thought about doing basic fundraisers, but I did not want it to be something that would not be memorable. I had to think about doing something that would be impactful and would shape not only those who take part in the event, but would also shape me as a person. After a lot of consideration, I decided to incorporate cosplay into the project. Read more>>

Matthew Rygh

I’ve always had a passion for photography, but in 2019 after my first year of university, that passion was at risk of disappearing. It had been a difficult year– my father had been diagnosed with cancer, my first real relationship had become long-distance, and all of my friends from back home had moved away. The last thing on my mind was making photographs. As I returned to my hometown, I questioned what I had left to return to besides a town that I had practically sworn off. That summer, I was working at a small, family-owned hamburger stand to save money for college. With not much else to do after work, I would wander the town in my sister’s car. One day, I wandered out of town and found myself at a tiny one-hour photo store. It smelled of mildew and had a general staleness to it. The owner was kind and stood at what seemed to be 6’10”. I had been seeing photographers I admired online using film, so I asked this gentle giant about it. He would end up bending down to the bottom shelf near the floor and grabbing a rusty camera from the 1940s. He would begin to teach me how to use it and I would return at least once a week. Read more>>

Ishan Davé

I began acting in films and television at age 13 after booking a Series Regular role on an APTN/Global episodic called Renegade Press .Com. It was my first ever audition. I didn’t know what I was getting into. I thought it would be a short engagement but it ran for 5 years. I did high-school in a propane-heated trailer in the winter of Regina, Saskatchewan and we shot exteriors in -30 degrees Celsius. I remember my on-set tutor was an old school, 6 ft 3, west coast hippie who smelled like fresh cut grass and somehow he was never cold. He had a grey ponytail and a grey moustache and the warmest brown eyes you’ve seen in your life. The show was about a group of kids who run an online newspaper during the early internet. I played a lil sex columnist who didn’t have the faintest idea about sex but loved bodies and desire.  Read more>>

Kiya Kim

Throughout my career, I have engaged in various projects, but two stand out in particular. One of these is a recent collaboration with LEEUM Store, an extension of the LEEUM Museum in Seoul, under the auspices of the Samsung Foundation. They approached me to develop their best selling products that integrate my artwork. The store itself represents an elegant confluence of tradition and modernity, serving as a bridge that connects artists with the world and individuals with the essence of art. This space, where diverse works from various disciplines artists are displayed, often transforms into an intimate gallery, inviting visitors to experience the role of collector rather than that of mere consumer. Read more>>

Yaz Canli

I’ve just come full circle on the most meaningful 4 year project of my life so far which was writing, directing, producing and starring in my first feature film My Home Unknown. If doing all of the above wasn’t already enough to wrestle with, I also went on that journey in the height of the pandemic to add a few more challenges. When the world shut down the script of My Home Unknown poured out of me. I brought it to my producer friend Diane Foster, who passionately jumped on it and next thing you know we were filming a few months later with a skeleton crew in the midst of uncertainty for our human kind as covid death numbers were rising as well as the numbers in homelessness in Los Angeles where I live. The film is about a female artist battling through a mental health crisis while living on the street and the courage it takes to accept help. It is bringing awareness to our unhoused members of the community and mental health issues. Read more>>

Charles Smallwood

I would say the most meaningful project(s) are my next two Albums. I’ve already recorded all of one and the majority of the second. The first project is named Tha Madd King and the second is entitled Chuck tha Ruler. These projects were created during one of the hardest times in my life, which I am still going through. Tha Madd King was recorded during the last few months of my marriage as I was preparing for divorce. I was in a tough spot because I had no say in the divorce and I needed a way to channel my feelings. I created a persona and dove in head first. I had finally found the voice I wanted as a recording artist. I wrote and recorded the entire album myself. The instrumentals were crafted by me and my business partner and can be found at CharmCityBeats.com. Tha Madd King serves as the introduction to the Chuck Tha Ruler persona and will be the first album featured on the upcoming CharmCityMusic.com site. Read more>>

Rosie Turner

It was through a series of small but significant events that I found myself in front of a group of people, one of them nude and artfully perched on a pink stool, talking about the importance of creativity. “All drawing is good drawing” I said, and I meant it. It was here that I found a deeper sense of self worth as a life drawing host and creative facilitator. What began as a simple offer to “run a drawing class” transformed into something profound, as I realised I needed to dissolve my own artistic ego to make space for others to connect with their creativity. In guiding people through life drawing, I discovered a deeper purpose and a new way to foster artistic connection and community. And it felt REALLY good. Read more>>

Bonan Li

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my sustainable fashion design initiative, a project that deeply aligns with my personal values and vision for the fashion industry. This project was inspired by a desire to create clothing that respects the environment and promotes longevity. Fashion, traditionally driven by rapid cycles and waste, poses a significant environmental challenge, which I wanted to address head-on by rethinking every aspect of design and production. This project is meaningful because it extends beyond fashion into the realm of sustainable development, aligning with broader goals of environmental responsibility. It has taught me that fashion can be a medium for change, challenging the industry’s status quo while empowering wearers to make conscious choices. Through this project, I aim to inspire both industry and consumers to embrace a slower, more mindful approach to design and consumption. Read more>>

Avid Beats

Each of my projects hold a certain meaning to me, and they each tell a specific story. I love to work on a lot of collaborations, and these bring great life and eclecticism to my music. Something I find when looking back on past projects is the way a piece of work can make me feel the same profound way I did back when I made/wrote it. I would say that my song and music video “Colour The Dark Days” (released 15th November, 2024) is the most meaningful of all, in the way it ties an emotional rollercoaster of my past few years together.  I started writing and producing it in early 2024, and it just came so quickly and naturally, like a part of me needed to be expressed. Read more>>

Nico Karpf

Although my collective, Eyelet Creative, might be taking this spot soon, what originally inspired its creation is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) called MESH. Founded in 2021, this young club full of aspiring designers and creative minds sought to carve an inclusive space of like-minded fashion enthusiasts at the University of Washington. I found MESH during my sophomore year of college when I was about nine months into sewing and designing. I fell in love with the process of designing something and seeing it come to life and MESH eventually gave me the opportunity to display my work on a runway. MESH holds an annual fashion show during the Spring quarter that encapsulates the work of 25+ student designers, student models, and student photographers. After designing for their 2022 show, “Welcome to Hell,” I decided to join the board team, which was made up of ten incredibly talented individuals who all deeply cared about MESH. Read more>>

Lashawna Bennett

My name is Lashawna Bennett, but I’m known to many as Lyfe. The most meaningful project I’ve undertaken recently is my album, titled “My Lyfe.” This album holds deep significance for me because I was born into the all-too-common reality of a broken black home. My family grappled with poverty, and my mother struggled with drug addiction during my childhood.As a result, I found myself in the role of caregiver, helping to raise my younger sister while my mother was absent. I often had to stay home and babysit instead of attending school. Growing up in a predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhood, I faced bullying and didn’t want to go to school even when I could attend. As a plus-sized young woman, the taunts of my peers fueled my insecurities as I grew older.Music became my lifeline, my outlet for expressing the frustrations and pain I carried. The artists I listened to in the 90s spoke to my experiences, helping me navigate my emotions. As I matured, I sought therapy to confront the challenges I’d faced throughout my life.I created this album, “My Lyfe,” to share my story and hopefully offer solace to others who have walked similar paths. Through my music, I hope to help them feel less alone and more understood. Read more>>

Tucker Eason

One project especially meaningful to me explored the stark contrast between the wealthy community I grew up in and my own blue collar upbringing within it. The experience of both belonging and inaccessibility made me hyper-aware of the subtle symbols that represent class and status. In my series “The Valley” at Julie Zener Gallery in Mill Valley, I wanted to capture the disconnect. I chose to juxtapose everyday working-class objects with symbols of wealth—things like luxury handbags hung in conversation with hand tools, Louis Vuitton handbags alongside farm equipment, and ski goggles alongside an old saddle. This contrast allowed me to express the quiet tension of my youth and how certain objects, though they seem worlds apart, can and do coexist. This project became a personal exploration of identity and belonging. Read more>>

Stephen Decatur

The goal of my project is to uncover unique stays in unconventional destinations that offer incredible experiences beyond the resort. I strive to introduce my community to jaw-dropping locations they might not even know exist, along with amazing excursions that could be right under their noses. This mission is incredibly meaningful to me as a travel creator. Showcasing these hidden gems has become my true passion, allowing me to share the joy of discovery and inspire others to explore the world in a more authentic way. I believe that travel should be about more than just checking off popular tourist spots; it’s about immersing yourself in local cultures, forging genuine connections, and creating unforgettable memories. Read more>>

Maya Tomlin

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on to date was Horror Camp at The Bourbon Room in Los Angeles in 2021! It was a show put on by Joan Grande (Ariana Grande’s mom) and her company Diamond Dog Entertainment. Joan found me from my reaction to Ariana’s album “Positions”! She followed me and once she found out that I could also sing and act, she asked if I wanted to come do the show out in Los Angeles. I was so nervous but I knew it would be an incredible opportunity so I did it and it changed me forever. When I came home I embarked on a journey of self love and appreciation of all the gifts that I’ve been blessed with! I realized just how deserving I was of the opportunity (in hindsight of course) but also that I was capable of doing more in the future. Read more>>

Will DeShazo

Within my work I attempt to always create art that is very close to my heart. This is because my yearning for making art is driven by expressing myself and feeling understood. Art is my way of communicating with others in a deeper way than my abilities to verbally express myself allow me to. My most meaningful projects in the past have aided me on my journey of grief and understanding how my brain works. My college graduation exhibition discussed my niece’s tragic death, my recent photographic triptych followed my journey of self acceptance and expression, and many of my earlier paintings surrounded my relationship with my constant battle with my own mental wellbeing. Of all of these projects, my most meaningful one is the show I am currently working on. Often in my past work I have only expressed my trauma as a current factor of my life. In this show I discuss my trauma as a thing in the past that affects me but I attempt to move past. I really struggle with being able to let things go and adjust for the future. Read more>>

Gabrielle Howard

The most significant project I have undertaken is my comic book series, Luminous Sage. This endeavor was initiated during the pandemic. From a young age, I possessed artistic talent, and in 2008, I developed a profound admiration for what is now recognized as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The superhero film genre inspired me to begin selling my artwork at comic conventions in 2015. Initially, I was uncertain about my ability to create a superhero in the contemporary era, as it seemed that every concept had already been explored. However, I began to reflect on my passion for marine biology and my desire to see a female superhero take charge of the ocean. Luminous Sage tells the story of a bioluminescent entity striving to restore the ocean’s health. I independently developed this entire comic book series. This project has challenged me to exceed my expectations as an artist. With each issue I produce, my confidence as a comic book creator continues to grow. Read more>>

Harriette St.Ledger

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on would have to be the first film I wrote ‘After Roe Falls’.I started writing that at 18, living in Australia and seeing the debate around Roe V Wade. I felt so much despair around the situation, however I also felt absolutely helpless, a young girl sitting at home in a tiny town in Australia. That’s when I realised that as an artist I have more power than I know, I started writing a short film, a love letter to young girls struggling through this time. I then flew over to LA for the first time. I was involved in the protests when Roe was overturned, and knew it was more important than ever to make the film. I was lucky enough to have an amazing team to work with, Diversity Pictures and Ryde Entertainment. And Jessica Orcsik who came on as director and co-writer. It was so nice to feel so supported, especially as this was the first film I had made. I was so beyond proud to see it succeed in the festival circuit and travel around the world. From Cannes World Film Festival, to Women Deliver 2023 Conference in Rwanda, to San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, to Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival, and many more. It really solidified to me that what I have to say does matter, and that my voice and my art can reach more people than I had ever dreamed of. Read more>>

Abriella Sammy

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my piece in honour of Kobe Bryant. This was meaningful for me on both personal and business levels. To begin with the business side, I was approached by someone who was an entrepreneur who had an idea to work together on an art piece. The concept was one I was interested in as I love when collaborative ideas come together in a way that can benefit both parties and also provide a unique experience along the way. We wanted to create something that could be meaningful for both of us but at first we didn’t quite know what that was. As our brainstorming continued, the tragic death of Kobe Bryant occurred. The person I was working with on this project happened to be in LA at the time and was relaying to me the significance that this was having on that environment. For many reasons, we knew this was the right subject matter for our project. Read more>>

Josh Breezzyy

My most meaningful project I’ve worked on was my album “Third Dimension”. At that point in time so much was riding on me to make it work and make it happen. I was coming off a flop with “Tortured Artist” and I needed to do a 180 and find a different way. I was to commonly compared to Eminem and wanted to seperate myself from that image and persona I created and go somewhere different. I had to put myself in a completely different mindset to create this album, and I think I did that. I was creating every single day, new sounds, new producers, new effects, new stories and a new vision. It was so fun. I was working with other artists, bringing them in live, and networking and it just was really a moment where I was like this is it. This is what all those years struggling to find my sound was for. I was able to reach new highs and eventually win Artist of the Year for this album, and it’ll forever be my favorite piece of work and it signifies a time in my life I will cherish. Read more>>

Yimei Qin

The most meaningful project I have participated in must be the one I experienced during my internship in China. I have always loved various independent games, such as 2D adventure games or roguelike games. So I joined a small independent game studio as a game artist. The studio was developing a pixel-art business simulation game at the time. I designed mine cave scenes and bamboo forest scenes, designed the main map in the game world and the ui in a mini fishing game section. And I also optimized a lot of ui panels and icons for the game. This project further fueled my passion for the gaming industry. Read more>>

Dev the Follower

The most meaningful project that I have worked on is my upcoming album titled, “Deliver Us From Evil”. The name itself is self explanatory. That said, it is a complex and more thoughtful ideation of my frustrations throughout society, more specifically; the eggshell-like environment within the United States of America that has been gradually bred through hatred, division, corruption, and the lack of sympathy and empathy for one another. This project is the first that I’ve created where I truly and successfully captured a unique sound and version of artistry that I have yet tapped into throughout the course of my 8-year career. I’ve taken well to constructive criticism and listened to what the fans, as well as my close family and friends have suggested I attempt during the creation of the album. Because of this, I have never been more excited to share a body of work. Read more>>