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.

Pat Brooks

Writing my children’s chapter book series. I found my voice through my protagonist, Miss Marble. Together, we weave stories based on Mother Nature’s incredible creations, and promote awareness of the interconnectivity of every living being. Read more>>

Jeff Hortillosa

Long story short, my band Whiskey Shivers didn’t make it past Covid. At the same moment that our business plans came to a grinding halt, the weight of responsibility in all of our personal lives all grew larger at the same time. It was a difficult decision, but we all decided to move on with our lives. Read more>>

Steven Saturn

In the 17 years I have been tattooing, I’ve done quite a few meaningful tattoos, whether it was for my own family, or for someone who lost a loved one, (including pet family). The most recent tattoo that comes to mind in the “most meaningful” category is a man who walked in wanting a memorial tattoo for his daughter. Read more>>

Mae Page & Alex Stringham

Alex: For me and my dice making adventure, pretty much every commission I’ve received has been a meaningful project. Finding those who love what I do so much, they want something specific and special to themselves. I think that’s amazing! I’ve received many commissions now to make dice using wedding flowers and even some using funeral flowers. Read more>>

Erin Schalk

Perhaps many artists and creatives find also themselves functioning this way — I am a person who needs to be engaged in meaningful projects in order to generate motivation and experience a sense of fulfillment. Read more>>

Marina Robinson

I am currently in the process of producing and choreographing my first large scale dance production. It is full length piece that will premiere at the Toronto Fringe Festival on July 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, and 16th. Read more>>

Jon Simon

Is a new TV series on Amazon Prime called “Front Men.” It’s meaningful to me because it shines a light on very serious issues that affect all of us. Issues like community, displacement, and elder abuse. Taking these issues and making it into a comedy, makes it accessible to the viewer and it gives it a drive and purpose. Read more>>

Zoe Ko

My upcoming EP “Baby Teeth” is my first project I’ve ever made. I am so proud of the topics that are covered in the songs. The whole project is about coming to terms with past insecurities, traumas, and the mental and physical transition of entering adulthood. I’m 22 and finally discovery who the real me is.

Lisa Scarbath

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is my Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic. In celebration of my home town’s 250th anniversary, I invited the public to send me items and material to be included in a mosaic. Along with the “stuff.” I asked the participant to send a “story,” a few lines explaining why Ellicott City is special to them. Read more>>

Gillian Bellinger

I have lived in LA for the last 13 years and very much feel connected to Los Angeles as my home. I also miss it, because this year my partner and I decided to make the decision to move just outside of Asheville, NC. Read more>>

Jake Callahan

I have had the privilege many times now, to use my drone and my camera to capture photos and video of family farms. It’s very meaningful to be able to show them their property in a brand new way and really capture the essence of the place. There was a particular time last summer when I was able to do it for a family selling their farm. Read more>>

Karen Hewitt

I have had the luxury of working on several projects professionally, personally, and within the community. To date, the most meaningful project I worked on was my book launch for my most recent book Fire: Poetic Memoirs of a Movement in April of 2022. Read more>>

Derek Chung

The most meaningful (and ongoing) project that I’ve worked on is the founding of my company, Nomnivore Games Inc. (NOM). While on the tin, NOM is about making ambitious games that tell immersing stories about rich, nuanced worlds that reflect the diversity and complexity of our own, that’s only part of the story. Read more>>

Dineta Williams

My Partner and I have been directing film festivals since 2016. As a filmmaker myself, nothing gives me more pleasure than being able to assist a filmmaker with screening a project, that they have worked tirelessly to complete. Read more>>

Greg Nutt

The stories we tell on The American Landscape through interviews and visual exploration of site we visit are the foundation of the show. The format we started with was visiting three locations per show. Each location was relatively close to each other. The idea being that someone watching the show and wanting to visit each location from a particular episode could easily see them all in one trip. Read more>>

David Uttley

It’s a privilege for me to be able to work as a humanitarian photographer, and so most of my projects are meaningful. I get to work with great nonprofit organizations doing life-changing work. Right now, a big part of our projects are with homeless rescue missions. It’s a chance to give vulnerable people a voice, and through sharing their compelling story, be able to help many others in need. Read more>>

Jayro Esparza

I’ve had a few passion projects in recent times, but the #1 I would say would have to have been the photoshoot I did for St. Vitus’ WHET campaign. What started off as an baby of an idea in November I was able to execute in May, and it was my first big creative director experience where I not only photographed but also made the photoshoot exactly what I hd envisioned. Read more>>

Farbod Ardebili

I worked on a short film named “Forbidden to See Us Scream in Tehran,” which portrays the struggles of a female singer in an Iranian metal band. Drawing from my personal experiences as a founding member of a female-fronted metal band in Iran, I witnessed the challenges our singer faced. Motivated by these experiences, I created this film after moving to the US. Read more>>

Nicki Walters

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was the creation of my first EP ‘just for me.’ Last year I went through a really rough time in my life. I thought about quitting music because I was so unmotivated and was having a hard time with my mental health. Read more>>

Phillip Surrett

Currently, I’ve been working in collaboration with a very talented creative from Bolivia named Miguel Anté. He is the owner of Second Plane Records and Tezana Records and has been essential in helping me fine tune my craft as a music producer. We are working on some new releases together and looking forward to sharing them in the coming months. Read more>>

Christina Renée

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is sharing and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of people through social media platforms. My faith is so important to me, and I believe it is important to share it with others so that others have the opportunity to connect with Jesus on a personal and impactful level. Read more>>

Emma Lyons

When my mother was little, she asked my grandfather how much he loved her. Read more>>

Kellie Collins

One could think of someone who does brows as just that. But it’s so much more. Being able to restore peoples confidence through my art by creating customized brows for them is what drives me. Each one of my clients is special to me but working with someone that has alopecia or an individual that has lost their brows due to cancer treatment, that’s where i know I’m really making an impact. Read more>>

Kayla Wyszynski Ridley

The pandemic brought many challenges and abrupt changes to all of our lives. For me, and my art career, it came at a time where I was blessed to work on a long project that thrived during isolation. I was tasked with the job of delving into the history of my hometown and illustrating highlights that would celebrate its 150th anniversary, aka its sesquicentennial. Read more>>

Chris Loos

Building the iDream Society with my friends Monique & Jay has been one of my life’s most meaningful endeavors. Read more>>

Igor Shrayer

Meaningful artist projects can take various forms depending on the artist’s vision, interests, and the social, cultural, or environmental context. What ultimately defines a project as meaningful is its ability to engage, inspire, and create a positive impact on individuals, communities, or society as a whole.  Read more>>

serena carretti

On the 16th of June, I released my latest single “Lipstick on a Glass”. For an independent artist like myself, every new music release is a big achievement given the amount of time money and work we invest in every project, however, this song in particular is a special one. Read more>>

Ric Dragon

I have often asked myself, “why didn’t I simply find a beautiful place on the mountain, build a house and studio, and be done with it… why did I throw myself into a project which is, at its most ambitious, supposed to help save the world, and at the least, help artists have life-changing experiences?” And then, I am part of a conversation with an artist, a poet, a musician, another creator – and I remember, “ah, yes, that’s why – this feeds my art; this feeds my need for connection and community.” Read more>>

Jessica McGhee

In June of 2021 I was selected by the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria to create a colorful art installation made out of garbage, to be shown in 2022. Two months after signing the contract and starting the planning process for this piece, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was uncertain if I would be able to honor my commitment to this piece, due to the surgeries, treatments and side effects. Read more>>

Daniel Woodroffe

As a Landscape Architect and longtime East Austin resident one project easily rises to the top because of how amazingly transformative it is. Springdale Green, located in East Austin, reimagines the standard convention of an urban office workplace by transforming and healing a 30-acre former petrochemical tank farm into a “gold standard” environmentally conscious office campus — reestablishing native meadows, woodlands, and an urban creek tributary. Read more>>

4stro

I think right now, the projects that stand out most to me are “Creature Feature”, “Datamøsh!ng” and my upcoming project “blood moon”. Being an avid fan of horror movies and books, I always wanted to bridge the gap between the gritty and moody side of those films and the happier, more upbeat vibes of old school pop-punk and crunkcore. Read more>>

Jake Cyprian

The Region released a new EP called ‘A New Point of View’ on June, 2nd 2023. It is our most versatile collection of songs to date. We experimented with a variety of new sounds, including our first song featuring bassist, Phil Cyprian, on lead vocals. Read more>>

Leigh Larson

I get many commission requests as a fine art painter. From portraits of loved ones to a favorite childhood cabin. Each one very meaningful to the client, but I have one that will stay in my heart forever. It was a calm, clear, sunrise over a lake in Canada with a favorite fishing boat. It was the very last picture that a father took before passing on. Read more>>

Natalie Fine Shapiro

Traditionally in Judaism, when a couple is engaged and planning their wedding, they hire an artist to create their Ketubah (a Jewish marriage contract). The text is personalized to include names, wedding date, and words of commitment (similar to vows). Read more>>

April Tomarchio

Upon learning that my girlfriends mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, I knew I needed to give her something meaningful. With that in mind, I made her a special messaged design that was almost as she said it herself, “I’m Making Cancer My Bitch”. She is still battling cancer and we pray for her every day that she conquers this demon. Read more>>

Melanie Pruiett

I am a goal setter. I love to work on the process of attaining the goal I’ve set. I pour over details, working through scenarios knowing some may not even happen. Read more>>

Roksta

I would have to say perfoming at Jimi Hendrix Tribute Celebration and Leon Hendrix birthday would have to be the most historic shows I’ve had the opportunity of being part of in my opinion, my friend the Professor that’s on the official hendrix tribute commitee introduced me to Jimi’s niece Tina Hendrix since then I’ve had the honor of performing at multiple Tributes and Leon Hendrix (Jimi’s brother) birthday, each event was legendary and I’m greatful to have performed at them! Read more>>

Yuliana Sleme Zetina

Once you’ve been in the artist/acting path for a while, many, MANY projects come to mind. I could name “Gleam”, the very first short film I did after graduation and where I made lifelong friends and professional relationships. Or “The Little Shop of Horrors”, a production I did back in Mexico, where I got my first lead musical theatre role. Read more>>

Sarah Rosenkrantz

All of my projects have been meaningful and have represented where I was on my journey at that time. Understanding why I am doing something, what motivates me in my very core to create, keeps pushing me further along in life and is what inspires me to keep creating. Read more>>

Emily Strong

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is my ongoing series of Figurative Landscapes. What makes this series so impactful for me and, from the feedback I’ve received, my viewers is the collaboration with the models for each painting. Read more>>

Jason tetlak

I am always looking to be a part of projects that are meaningful or have some additional benefit or component. Of course, like any job you usually have to just do what pays the bills, but in between those less fulfilling gigs I always try to work on something with a bigger purpose. Read more>>

Helaine Meyers & Caroline Warthen

The entire project of creating the Greenville Jewish Film Festival and having it be a success. The GJFF was founded in 2018. We recognized that Greenville, SC being strategically located between Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC was the perfect place to introduce another Jewish Film Festival. Our Festival is also the only International Film Festival in this area. The Kickoff event in August 2018 was a huge success, a sellout event. From this moment on, the Film Festival became a reality. Read more>>

Jacob Stargrove

The most meaningful project I have worked on is “The Grounders”. I developed the characters and idea for “The Grounders” about seventeen years ago. It was during a time when I was happiest. I had just finished making a short feature with a fun cast, it was near Christmas (my favorite time of the year is October through December), I had a wonderful girlfriend, you name it…Read more>>