Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful

Sharon Kagan

“Release Me” was a durational performance I did at Alfred University in 2022, which was part of a solo show curated by Maureen Weiss called “Compassion in Action.” I sat in the gallery knitting for five hours for five consecutive days. The voiceover had my parents telling their stories of pain and loss, strength and resilience during the Holocaust, me telling my stories growing up with Holocaust survivors, music and sounds from nature. After a lifetime of asking who would I be if my parents weren’t survivors, I was ready to let it go. “Release Me” wasn’t a request it was a proclamation. Read more>>

Shalaya Morissette

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is *Becoming a Chieftess: Celebrating Extraordinary Women Leaders*, a coloring book designed to inspire and empower young girls by showcasing the achievements of trailblazing women across various industries. This project is deeply personal and rooted in both my professional mission and my personal journey. Read more>>

Kristoffer Gair

I’d co-written one history non-fiction novel before going solo, then wrote three comedies. I was very comfortable in the comedy genre and assumed this would be where I stayed for my writing career. That changed in 2015 during my father’s last year of life. Read more>>

Katie Hartley

During the Covid pandemic, I was working as a nurse in Washington, DC while simultaneously earning my Master of Fine Arts from American University. When I came into the program, I was creating abstract drawings and paintings, but in my second year, my experiences as a nurse began to integrate into my practice. Read more>>

Aviva Y Sakolsky

I created numerous pieces during the COVID – 19 Pandemic. Life during the deepest part of the Pandemic was frightening, anxiety provoking and socially isolating. Every morning I woke up knowing I would be facing another surrealistic, “Twilight Zone” day. Holidays and special occasions didn’t happen, my spirits were low. Visualizing and creating these pieces kept my mind occupied and gave me hope. This artwork was an expression of my fear, hope and longing for normalcy. The first time I showed my first Pandemic piece, it sold! I was grateful someone understood the feelings I was awash in and we all were experiencing, this validated my artistic expression and hard work. Read more>>

Bee Russell

To those who are finding out about me for the first time, Hi!!! My name is Bee, and I’m a multi-media artist based in Colorado! I have a long history with art and just creating in general, having been drawing since my early days of elementary school all the way up to now where its now my profession! I love art for the feeling it gives me, both when I’m making it or when I see it, its just pure joy and passion! My goal with my work is to give people that same feeling, and maybe even sparking a passion in them too just as art did for me. I most enjoy working with bright, punchy colors and unusual subject matter, drawing most of my inspiration from nature and science, as well as things that I just enjoy. Read more>>

Breana Parks

The most meaningful project that I have made is my project called Many Moons. The project was a multi part piece that was a mixture of photography, textiles and poetry.

The project came about in 2021, where I was watching a show called Summer Camp Island. In the show, one of the main characters was a witch, she was just learning to fly but was having a block in her mind that did not allow her to fly. The whole episode, she goes back in her mothers lineage to figure out who was the source of the blockage. That sparked something in me and made me think about intergenerational trauma and how it is passed down from the mother. Read more>>

Kathryn Keats

I would like to talk about a few projects. I am grateful to be invited by CanvasRebel to do so. Dr. Senadhi Parakrama and I have been developing a play that my eldest son, Andrew JJ Conti, originally wrote as a film. Tragically, Andrew died in the summer of 2023. The Sonoma Foundation for Behavioral Health (SFBH), the Andrew Conti Workshop (ACW a creative workshop for people in recovery under the umbrella of SFBH) and the Marsh theatre in Berkeley, Ca. produced the 10 week, 9 person workshop. The entire cast was in recovery and performances went up to sold out audiences in the Bay area in spring of 24. Andrew was unable to complete Roofing and we wanted to honor his legacy by presenting an adapted version of his play. Read more>>

Maura Garnett

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my latest film, ‘Disoriented’, a deeply personal film that explores the raw emotions of receiving bad news and the challenge of returning to reality amidst tragedy. The story centers on a phone calls that forever alters the lives of three individuals, each grappling with the disorientation that follows a life-changing revelation. Read more>>

Jam Dong

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is Little Pond, a series of illustrations created for a picture book. This project holds a special place in my heart because it allowed me to combine my passion for storytelling, nature, and art while exploring a unique cultural approach. Read more>>

Seth Chitwood

As the creative director and founder of Angelwood Pictures, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to transform the stories in my head into captivating screen projects over the past 15 years. A particular project that has been a true blessing in disguise emerged from my lifelong fascination with magic, witches, and spells. During the pandemic, having just completed my master’s in Screenwriting at the American Film Institute Conservatory, I revisited a short film concept I developed at AFI about a witch whose potion backfires drastically. This story evolved into a digital series called “Luna, The Witch” which found great success on Amazon Prime and Tubi which allowed me to expand into spin-off shows like “Francine, the Fixer Witch” and “Davina, the Delivery Witch. Read more>>

Dev Henry

A project that means a lot to me is my newest ongoing cosmic horror serial, What Lives in the Static. During and after the pandemic, I stopped writing as much as I wanted to and focused mostly on work that felt “useful”—pieces about mental health, processing grief, wellness or non-fiction projects with a built-in audience that didn’t require much vulnerability on my part. Read more>>

Steve Mcelroy

I have been fortunate to have always had an open mind, so companies and collectors like that flexibility. No one wants to work with a temperamental person, so I have always believed that a team is better, two is better than one, and it doesn’t matter how you get there…just that you DO get there. So my favorite project was for the common hallway leading to the JP Morgan Chase corporate boardroom. It was a cooperative project, as they wanted all who entered to feel inspired through symbolism and beauty. So we chose a row of 8 different large butterflies in a long row to remind that each day we get the chance to begin again, start fresh, create a new life! From the success of that I was honored to be chosen for the current FedEx Office commercials…again to show that life can become what you choose to make of it. And isn’t that such an uplifting relief to know tomorrow is a new chance ….everyday?! We really do still get out of life what we decide to put into it. Read more>>

Chase Benz

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on was with Britney Spears, spanning her Circus and Femme Fatale Tours, as well as her Las Vegas Residency. This journey, which lasted roughly eight years, was transformative for me both personally and professionally.

At a young age, I joined the Circus World Tour, where I was promoted to Dance and Show Captain alongside veteran dancer Tiana Gandelman. In this role, I was responsible for leading a team of 16 dancers and 16 circus performers, while also coordinating with the artist herself. Read more>>

Dante Nottoli

A meaningful project for Luscia Jane is our debut album. We just finished recording it earlier this year, and it is currently being prepared to release. It is an 8-song concept album called “Zariana”, and tells a story about standing up for the environment, bringing people together through music, and connecting with nature. It has been a passion project of ours for about two years and is coming into the world very soon. Read more>>

Katelynn Griffey

One of my favorite aspects of my business is getting to preserve bridal bouquets! I press wedding flowers to frame them or make them into jewelry so that their memory & vibrance can last a lifetime! I’ve really enjoyed getting to skillfully preserve special moments for my clients! It also allows me to work with a large variety of flowers, learning new techniques for each of them! Read more>>

Julia Marley

Every project that I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of has shaped me as an artist and as a person.
A project that has left a lasting handprint on my heart is my song, “You Can Be”.

I volunteer with Lollipop Theater Network; an incredible non-profit that brings current movies and entertainment to hospitalized kids. “You Can Be” is inspired by the kids I’ve met at Lollipop, and dedicated to the organization, with 50% of the song’s proceeds being donated. Read more>>

Kt

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my album KT Bandicoot on SoundCloud. It’s special to me because it was my first complete album as an artist. At first, I had doubts about whether I wanted to step into the artist side of music or just stick to producing. I wasn’t sure if my sound would connect with people in that way. But my friends really pushed me, telling me my music was strong enough to be heard, and that motivation gave me the confidence to go for it. Read more>>

Tiff Mcfierce

This is my first-ever art show, my debut solo exhibition as a multidisciplinary artist in the gallery space. I’ve never done this before. I’m not a traditionally trained artist, but I’ve been ideating, studying, and building toward this for a decade. You CAN Sit Here is more than just an exhibition; it’s a homecoming, a reflection, and an offering. This installation reimagines the living room, a space that holds so much history in Black, Caribbean, & POC households, as both a site of cultural preservation and a place to question what we’ve inherited. Read more>>

Bárbara Hermor

Since I was a kid, I remember having a lot of questions about religion. I was born Catholic and my mother would force us (me and my 2 siblings) to go to church every Sunday, confess our sins to the priest, sing in the chorus and be part of all the activities, rituals, ceremonies, holidays, festivities,.. Read more>>

Brenda Perez Mendoza

In 2020 in the height of the pandemic I was teaching 4th grade in a bilingual classroom. I taught fourth grade to predominately Hispanic students. Many of my students were undocumented or had parents who were undocumented. This time was one of fear for many however for me it became an opportunity to transmit hope. My students had such profound questions, that they wanted to know why undocumented people were called illegal. Why do we call ourselves Latino or Hispanic? What are Dreamers? What is DACA? The questions kept coming but I couldn’t find the answers. No resources could support my students and their curiosity about their culture. I then decided I needed to find a way to provide my students with a resource that helped them answer the questions about their identity. Read more>>

He Huang

Typically with a question like this, I always like to say: “It’s the one I’m working on right now :)” But in all seriousness, part of me actually does believe in that. I’m not a person that has a ton of confidence in my skills and craft, not at this stage at least, and I don’t really believe in that “equal rates of return” nonsense….. But I do believe that if you put all your effort and heart into something and spend tons of time and try to perfect every detail you can possibly think of, then at least you’ll have a piece without any regret. I guess all I’m trying to say is that I believe it’s a good mindset to have for treating every project you’re working on as your most meaningful project at the moment. Read more>>

Chris Cortez

I started Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts 8 years ago. My wife and I converted a warehouse into a small concert hall. The modest location caught on for the incredible sound and talent showcased there. A massive rent hike forced us to seek a new location and we’re presently renovating a 33,00 sq ft building in Winter Park, Fl that was the former library. The building will become a hub for the performing arts in Winter Park. Read more>>

Tdo Von-t

It would have to be our trip to Costa Rica to partner, promote, and collaborate with the co-founder of the Animal love rescue center.

They were impressed by my great success regardless of support or adversity, they coordinated with us for me to fly out to Costa Rica to get involved with their movement as it so closely aligns with my own. Believing that all life is important, and all lives deserve love…we decided to team up! Read more>>

Peiran Zhao

I have two projects that immediately come to mind from different areas, The Great Sea Serpent and Wok Talk.

The Great Sea Serpent is a theatrical performance at Northwestern’s Wirtz Center, where I served as the composer and sound designer together with another talented cohort. Rooted in Norse mythology, the story explored humanity’s relationship with nature, aiming to raise environmental awareness. This was my first large-scale composition and sound design project after I entered grad school, and it became a bridge between my undergraduate years at Berklee—where music was my primary focus—and my more interdisciplinary creative approach through sound at Northwestern. Read more>>

Chris Edwards

Become a author, I am a retired New York City Firefighter/ First responder to September 11, 2001. I wanted to leave my children with stories of my Life , so they would have something to hand to their children. the Book “Coming Through the Flames my Life in the FDNY” telling the stories of my life. The book goes through my 17 year career in the FDNY, It tells stories of the good times, sad times , difficult times. Its messages of Hope , Faith and Never Giving up are some of those messages. Read more>>

Didi Paulini

As the director and producer of Transcendence, my inspiration for this project originates from my personal journey and experiences. I grew up in Brazil, a predominantly Catholic country, and came out as a member of the lesbian community at nearly 30 years old. Moving to the USA with my girlfriend, who later became my wife, and having our wedding officiated by Andi, a trans pastor, was a transformative experience for us. Andi’s story, along with the inclusive nature of our ceremony, motivated me to create a film that showcases the beauty and acceptance of transgender individuals. My goal is to inspire others in similar situations to embrace their true selves and to highlight the positivity and resilience of the transgender community. Read more>>

June Marie Davis

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve undertaken is creating my web series, “The GO TO.” At the start of my career in the film industry, I never considered taking on the role of a showrunner—whether out of fear or self-doubt. But I felt the urge to dive in, and I’m so grateful that I did. Read more>>

Loren Dann

Currently on exhibit at Rowan College of South Jersey is my “Portraits” series. This ongoing project, which began in Detroit in 2018, features paintings born from months-long research into each subject’s life and work. My initial inspiration was Little Miss Flint’s powerful performance of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?”, at the Women’s Convention, Detroit, Michigan. This led me to delve deeply into Truth’s life as an activist and mother who secured her children’s freedom from slavery. From that point forward, I immersed myself in the lives of individuals I admired, transforming my research into painted portraits. The series now includes Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, and Dr. Martin Luther King, whose portrait was supported by the MLK of New Jersey Commission. Read more>>

John Michael Rouchell

One of the most meaningful projects that I have worked on was working with the Walt Disney Company, specifically Imagineering, on the ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure based upon the Princess and the Frog story. This ride was to replace Splash Mountain, a ride that has been in the parks for over 30 years. Thinking of the potential longevity of the work was incredibly fulfilling. Secondly, producing music that authentically reflected my hometown of New Orleans was a duty that created a larger responsibility and purpose within me. Lastly and most importantly, working on a project that engaged and thrilled my daughter is a drug that I will forever chase. To date, this project was one of the most incredible honors and privileges of my life. I am so grateful for Terence Blanchard’s trust in producing this project as well as the trust and partnership with Disney Imagineering. This project will forever be a landmark for me. Read more>>

Andrew Lutes

I had the opportunity in 2020 to join a project team and co-lead the development of a first-of-its-kind cooperatively-owned mixed-use community center, Commongrounds Cooperative.
The development successfully opened in 2022, and includes 3 floors of visual art exhibition space and The Alluvion– a 170 seat listening room/ performance venue– adding much needed infrastructure to the missing-middle performing arts category in Northern Michigan. Read more>>

Kathy Pham

The most meaningful project I have worked on is my BFA Thesis “2023: Year of Girlhood.” The project consists of a website with four interactive essays that explore media trends themed around girlhood and gender in 2023. From Barbie-mania to coquette fashion trends to “babygirl” boys — pop culture unapologetically embraced everything “girl.” Throughout my research, it was interesting to observe the celebration of “girl” culture following the U.S. Supreme Court overruling Roe v. Wade. My goal with writing and designing these essays was to connect these big pop culture moments to the rise of conservative politics in the United States. While some view pop culture as trivial and frivolous, I believe pop culture reflects the the social, cultural, and political effects on our society. Read more>>

Kyle Mabone

So my most recent project “Solo Dreamers 2,” has been my most meaningful project. It takes you on a journey of my own experiences and my unique sound, my choruses bring life, and my flow trajectory made me produce such a great experience of who I am. I hope to inspire the people with it and enjoy me as an artist. This project took me a year to make and it took dedication to record something that’s different but still me and I feel like reached new heights experimenting with this project. Read more>>

Tyesha Mack

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is my self published poetry collection, Flowers That Water Themselves. It’s meaningful to me because it tells the story of what I thought was my full healing journey at the time. Now, I realize that writing it was only the beginning of my healing and that made the title all the more fitting. I have been able to reach to hearts and souls of others with my writing and inspired others to share their experiences with trauma and healing. That community that has been formed by this collection is a true representation of flowers watering themselves. Read more>>

Hannah Mceachern

In 2023, I founded the Queer Theatre Collective of Boston (QTCboston). After I came home from getting my masters in Theatre Directing in August of 2021, I spent almost two years feeling sorry for myself and hitting dead ends when it came to my creative career. Once my 9-5 job started slowing down in the spring of 2023, I was sick of waiting for someone else to give me permission to be a part of the Boston theatre scene. I noticed a lot of people, especially queer artists like myself, Read more>>