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.

C.J. Riggs

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is “JADE 2”. I didn’t know the first “JADE” would be received so well amongst friends and family. People were sharing it with their family and friends so much that it felt right to create a sequel. I waited a couple months just searching for inspiration. And one day, it just came to me. I wrote “JADE 2” over the course of three or four days. I read it like twice and then fixed a few bugs. Read more>>

Che Antonio

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been my most recent musical project. I collaborated with some amazing and talent friends of mine to create my first EP composed of songs I wrote during quarantine. This down time, like for many of us, allowed me to look inward and process things I had never processed before as they came into the forefront of my awareness. This led me to process them in writing and composition, starting a new musical patch for me as an artist. Read more>>

Ethan Risley

My most meaningful project was created in my Lighting III course durring my studies at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. This project is a series I call “Obscure Sorrows,” inspired by my readings of the book “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,” by John Koenig. This 7 image series consists of creative portraiture concepts created back to back throughout my 8 week course. Read more>>

Nihil

I have released an artbook and will publish a new one soon. Having my book published was a childhood dream, even though I was imagining novels at the time. I had the chance to collaborate with artists and bands I was a fan of since a long time. Read more>>

Marco Restrepo

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is my current one. It’s been a long journey to where I am at right now and I’ve learned so much along the way. In the past, I was very much a soloist in that everything I wanted accomplished I figured out on my own, for lack of money, boldness and perhaps the humility to compromise. Read more>>

Cody Tyler

I would say the most meaningful project I’ve worked on was my first music video / short film project I released last year. It was called “know about it” and we had shot it in 2020-2021 it was the first project I had written and arranged myself and truly dug deep with the message of the visuals. I also had composed a poem for the beginning of the film as well titled “Fei’s darkness”. Read more>>

Gorilla J

As a musician and just a artist as a whole, my objective in music is to bring a little bit of every emotion in a project. Most of the time that is depression and or sadness. However, It could be humor or happiness. I like to use humor to combat the sadness most of the time, and you can really tell that by this band I’m in. These songs we have made lately have been some of the most emotional yet rewarding mentally for my self I know of course. Read more>>

Cross DJ Stavros” Rivera “

A Christian Juggalo, isn’t that a contradiction? For Dj Stavros it’s a success story. Founded by Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, Dj Stavros found love and comradery in the Juggalo community. But in 2017 when the Juggalos marched on the capital to protest and win the “juggalo” name taken of the FBI gang list, things changed for Dj Stavros. In support of the movement Stavros made an EP called “Sidekicks & Supervillains”, singing such songs as, “Even If You Wanna Bang”, “Ask Me to Stop” and “Like My Strangers Do”. Read more>>

Wayne Flint

The most meaningful project that I have worked on are the digital art compilations. This artwork combines photos into one art piece. The ability to bring together the past and present to life in one artwork. Capturing great grandparents with their present-day great grandchildren a family reunion that represents generations and generations in one place. Our lives are so busy that bringing our loved ones together is immensely difficult but this connection can be made in digital form. Read more>>

Wendy Ackrell

The older I get, the more I’ve found that the most consequential work I do is creating public art. I aspire to do projects that bring people joy, delight, solace, self-recognition. Experiencing art that is made to be shared elevates my mood, makes me feel so connected, challenges my perceptions and perspective — I hope that my work can do that for others as well. I’m trying to reach out and speak directly through my art. It feels like the best kind of communion to be allowed the opportunity. Read more>>

Samantha Oliver

I recently took on a commission for a memorial piece of a beautiful cat named Poe. Poe’s mom shared with me that Poe was very ill along with many photos of their lives together. The bond between these two touched me deeply. I knew he was magical even though I never had the honor of meeting him. I took inspiration from the photos she shared with me, my favorites being one of Poe standing tall and majestic and one of him carrying around his favorite blue string. I knew immediately I wanted to create him as a wise wizard wielding a staff inspired by his favorite toy string. Read more>>

Tafarai Francis

Some of the most meaningful projects for me has definitely been my solo projects. I have been apart of a band/musical group for over 15 years and have played all over the Caribbean and Mainland. Due to the pandemic, a lot of the gigging slowed down and i was able to explore and create a different lane for myself doing covers, and creating original melodies and structures for music. By exploring this different avenue, I was able to create my first solo album “A Christmas Vibe” which i can count on to be in rotation every Christmas. Read more>>

Oso Muka

The Most meaningful project I have worked on so far is my Ep. Familiar Fruit. I feel as if this project captures the side of the black culture that’s not highlighted in the music industry today. It explains how the modern things we run to for comfort or to depict success is the same tactic used against us as people years ago. The format I used for this project is basic comparison such as “they’ll do anything for them diamonds in their chains that just modern slavery”. Read more>>

EJ Rodmon

Honestly, I would say the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on would be the album I just released called “Fighting my Demons”. I say that because I really do feel like it is my most honest and pure project to date. This past year has arguably been one of the most difficult years in my life. From relationships, to death, to regrets about past choices, and just life in general. It truly was a mental war and I feel the album really documents that. Read more>>

Stripez VU

Everyone around me was just depressing and had no hope for themselves. I don’t know if they were just down on their luck or didn’t have any motivation or what but it started affecting me too. When I released R.I.P 2 U.R Feelings in June 2020, it was a project that had way more meaning to me than just the songs I put on there. I locked in all summer in my studio with Chuks experimenting and finally making what I wanted to hear from myself. We weren’t worried about what people would think it was just us catching a vibe and really going to work. Read more>>

Jordan Urdiales

I would consider working alongside Moses Kisale to produce several 3D motion/animation pieces for Denver Fashion Week 2022 as one of my most meaningful projects. I animated different variations of the Killionaire logo to showcase alongside the models as they walked the runway. Mo and I had already been working together for a couple years to create designs for his website, videos, and fashion shows. Read more>>

Kailey Bunch

I think all of the families that I work with are meaningful projects. There is something so special about capturing moments that vanish in a seconds time. I honestly think that’s why I enjoy photography so much. I have the ability to surrender those moments and turn it into a glimpse of the past to reflect upon. Something about working with families that have little kiddos is so special to me. Read more>>

Aniyah K.

Every client has their own specific design needs, but one client in particular had needs that I’ve never had to accommodate before. She was scheduled for surgery and needed an ADA compliant bathroom, but also wanted it to feel like a spa. The general assumption is that ADA compliant fixtures are big, bulky, ugly, and resemble the things you’d see at a hospital, but that’s certainly not true. I found stylish ADA bathroom fixtures that matched the spa-like aesthetic that my client was looking for. Read more>>

WOP Tamii

I’ve been fortunate enough, throughout the few short years I’ve been actively pursuing my music career, to be involved in a couple different projects that I like to feel as though were important in their own respects. But to speak on the most meaningful project I’ve worked on up to this point, it would have to be my debut mixtape that I am currently in the midst of working on and finishing. Read more>>

ROBIN HAMMAN

My books 100 Cups of Compassion and The Twisted Leash are both very meaningful projects that have been a lifetime in the making. My next book, Artrobstudios, my first business name, will be added to that trilogy. I never thought I would become an “author” although I think of myself as more of an Art Director in the context of my books. My books are part journal, part devotional and part art book with a little commentary about myself and my journey through divorce, addiction, and breast cancer thrown in. Read more>>

Kristin Hall

The most meaningful order I have had came from a wonderful customer who ordered a pair of rainbow earrings. I had just released this pair of clay earrings on my website and loved them. I was so excited when this customer placed an order for them, meaning she enjoyed them too. I didn’t think too much more about the order at that point though. A few months after the order shipped, she contacted me and told me how much the earrings meant to her. She had miscarried a baby months earlier and desperately wanted a baby. Read more>>

Calla Michaelides Lokku

A few projects come to mind, if I may touch on them all! Back in Spring of 2021, The Art Therapy Institute of North Carolina offered me a spot as a featured artist in their Art Walk. This was my very first, and so far only, solo show. Prior to COVID, the Art Walks were hosted in person, but my show was going to be virtual. This was an advantage for me, because most of my art is made on commission, so I had lots of photos of my work, but not a lot of physical items still in my possession. Read more>>

DeShaun Jay

In my opinion, my most meaningful project would be my “Phone Calls” series. I’m currently working on my fourth installment (which is also nearing completion), but I’d would have to say the entire series would be the most meaningful because it’s made it easier to grow as an artist as well as work towards being more versatile with the music I create. Read more>>

Nayla Morshed

Out of all the projects I’ve worked on, my book “All Wrapped Up”, was definitely the most meaningful to me. It explores twelve different women’s stories when asked about their relationship with the hijab and their general experiences as Muslims. Each woman was so different in regard to wealth, race, age, and background. So, I didn’t really have a set direction that I was going with. In fact, I started it as research to see the variation in experience, but soon realized I had enough for a book. Read more>>

Aniekanabasi Asanga

We all know the feeling, the contrast between black and white, the first step on a long journey, the invisible force holding you down while keeping you up at night, frozen with indecision. This feeling is what inspired our most meaningful project yet. “Waka” (Walking)- A narrative on change. Read more>>

Ava Rose Johnson

My most meaningful project is “Heaven’s Window” and the sequel to that song, “You Were Just A Dream”. “Heaven’s Window” was co written by myself, Billy Dawson, Lainey Edwards and Sean Fuller (drummer for Florida Georgia Line) in 2019 in memory of my friend, Behr Place, who had passed away in an ATV accident. I was given an awesome opportunity by Billy Dawson to come to Nashville to write and record and I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. Read more>>

Mindy Davey

I’ve had a lot of meaningful projects I’ve worked on. Every song I write has a deep meaning but one song in particular “Morgan’s Song” has hands down been the most meaningful. I wrote the song about a girl named Morgan from Albany NY who was bullied to the point of wanting to end her life. I came across her story on a Facebook page called “Hope Rises”. Read more>>

Chrissy Whitten

The Journals from a Warrior’s Mother has been the most meaningful project, because I get to hear from readers how much my story has inspired and encouraged them to keep fighting. The series is a collection of my journal entries that started almost twelve years ago when my first daughter, Lilian Grace, was born. Her first breath was supposed to be her last, yet we were blessed with 103 days before she passed away. She was born with Trisomy 18, an extra set of the 18th chromosome. She had six heart defects. Read more>>

Laurence GARTEL

Surely creating the one of a kind Grammy Statue for the 57th Annual Grammy Awards has to be one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on. I was set on creating an object that is globally recognized and transforming it. It is always my goal to make anything instantaneously recognizable as my Art and at the same time make it unique. The Art has to resonate its own energy. It should have a vibration all on its own. Read more>>

 

Andy Denson

The most meaningful projects I’m working on our two films. One of the films is called Lucring and it’s a dramatic biopic sort of a retelling of my mom’s life growing up in the Philippines, moving to Singapore in the 80s meeting potential suitors through penpal services her sister recommended, and then eventually marrying my father and moving to the US in the early 90s. The other project is a film that has now become a television series, called king of the Philippines, Read more>>