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.

Joseph Herbst

Currently, I am working on a new big band project that has so far been the most meaningful project for me. Since I began writing music, I was always interested in exploring storytelling through music. Since then, I fell in love with animation, particularly shows like Steven Universe and Adventure Time. I love the way shows like this can be so meaningful through their stories. So, I began thinking about how I could come up with my own fictional stories to convey – alongside the music – whatever message is on my mind. Read more>>

Evan Hutchings

The most meaningful project i’ve worked on would be publishing a photo book called “The Wig” in 2022. It was such a long process making the book for over two years, and inside the book was five years of pictures. It was special to a me just as much as it was to a whole community. The book covers five years of a local non-profit building and maintaining a DIY skate park in Detroit, MI. At first I didn’t even plan to make a book on the subject, but it came to fruition naturally which is why it is so special to me. Read more>>

Sean Valy

Every song or album I’ve created could be considered meaningful. It starts with a concept or idea that is usually inspired and brought to my attention through life around me. One of my recent songs I’ve worked on is a single called ‘Madeira’. Last year when I was traveling through Florida, I came across A man who was living in a hole on the beaches of Madeira. Read more>>

Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana

BCCNL exhibitions directly reflect our mission, “Increasing Black creatives’ visibility and emphasizing Black talent and culture in a white-dominant art community in a majority-black region. Our current exhibition, “This Is Us” showcases the work of members of the BCCNL. Allowing for our mission to be fulfilled and also for our very own BCCNL members voices to be heard. “This Is Us” represents various artists’ themes, collectively depicting our growing participation, reach, and impact in the NELA Arts and Black community. Read more>>

Tori Escamilla

My podcast has by far been the most meaningful project. Although I grew up in San Antonio, a predominately hispanic city, we didn’t learn much of our own history. I didn’t even realize Mexico won at the Alamo when I was a child because there is such a big emphasis on the “heroes” we celebrate. I love history and have felt this platform has been a way to teach others what we contributed to American history. Read more>>

Mariah Maddox

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on thus far has been my motherhood portrait study. “Motherhood: The Thread That Holds Us Together” is a compelling visual collection of the motherhood narratives of myself and six other women within my community. The visuals represent the raw, vulnerable, and intimate moments of the motherhood journey that aren’t often seen. Read more>>

Markie Zimmer

I’ve had a few: On her wedding day a woman’s mother gave her a Leland Blue as her something blue. She had held on to the rock and wanted to do something special with it for years, She reached out to me and asked me if I could cut and grind it for her and make some pieces. It was substantial enough of a piece where I was able to get quite a few cabochons (rocks that has been shaped and polished and ready to be used for jewelry) and she had a lot of options for pieces we could make. Read more>>

Rae Scott

My current work in progress is a historical fiction novel set in the Baltimore neighborhood where my family lived for generations. Sincerely, Baltimore (working title) is inspired by my family’s story and the generational impact of the social, political, and temporal changes in Baltimore caused by the housing crisis of the 1940-50s. This book is a true passion project because as an aspiring historian, I am able to conduct extensive research into my city’s history and turn my family’s experiences into a piece of literature. Read more>>

Jennifer Cole

If you know me, you know how passionate I am about breastfeeding, helping mama’s, and supporting both mom and baby during their breastfeeding journey. As a nursing mom I have learned so much and have developed such a strong passion for supporting mom’s during their breastfeeding journey. Read more>>

Em Vieser

The project that comes to mind is the collection of merchandise that I just designed for pride month. As a queer artist, I have the most fun creating designs for my community and watching people react to them at markets is honestly so rewarding. Things have been feeling really bleak in regards to being trans and queer in the south, and it’s really easy for me to get stuck in my head about that. So allowing myself to freedom to create pieces of art that are fun and celebratory of who I am has been really helpful in refilling my cup. Read more>>

The Vig Arcadia

One of our most meaningful projects is the one we’re working on right now; OUR FIRST ALBUM! Although listeners don’t always care about an album vs. a single, its a proud milestone in every artists journey. There’s something nostalgic about a full length album, and its a major accomplishment. We’ve really honed in on “our sound” and really look forward to capturing that in this album. Each of us comes from a different styles of music, so the variation between the songs will be unique, creating a very cool collection of art. Read more>>

Djivan Schapira

Working on meaningful projects as an artist holds immense importance as it allows for the exploration of one’s creative potential while making a positive impact on society. Meaningful projects provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, giving artists the opportunity to convey powerful messages, provoke thought, and evoke emotions through their work. Read more>>

Misti Nordstrom

I traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah last July and won the international title of Ms. Continental Worldwide. As Ms. Continental Worldwide, I have been very active in my community, as well as, in remote places across the globe. Currently, I work as an educator in the City of New Bedford. I teach middle school math and science and am proud to say that I am entering my 24th year as a teacher. Read more>>

Nikki Frelier Andrews

NFA Boards has (in itself) been a meaningful endeavor not only because our mission is dedication to providing accessibility and inclusion in skateboarding and supporting kids in all aspects of their lives, but because it has become a family affair. Both my children and husband have been recruited to help me launch my business, in some way. Read more>>

Matteo Generani

I truly believe that the concept of sharing is fundamentally important as a pianist. We share music, notions, history, and emotions. In 2020, as I was preparing a lecture on Italian keyboard music, I discovered, by chance, the name of Giuseppe Martucci. I couldn’t believe I had never known about him. I felt the urge to research more, and almost immediately I felt the urge to share my findings, my understanding, and my discoveries about Martucci. Read more>>

Leon Araujo

One of my favorite projects was a mural installation at Daybreak South Jordan, UT. It was a design for a community pool area and it was truly an awesome experience. The design is a mermaid submerged in the sea with fishes near by. The mermaid has a crown and a staff. “La Reina Del Mar” is one of my proudest murals and I get really excited every time I see it. Read more>>

Rob Rice

Talking last week at 2220 with Lonnie Holley, Fred Moten said something like “if there’s something that can be called an artist – something that isn’t just another clown suit – it’s that which indicates a resonance with the immense mystery of things.” Read more>>

Harper Leblanc

My most memorable project was a fashion editorial in the steep Himalayan mountains of Tibet. The special permit approval came at the very last minute, giving us very little to acclimate our bodies for the extreme elevation. We passed around oxygen tanks while filming our fashion story in the freezing cold and thin air. Read more>>

Lisa Riannson

New Dagaz is a brand that specializes in handcrafted candles infused with the power of nature and intention. Our mission is to create positive change in both personal lives and the environment by providing high-quality, environmentally friendly candles that align with the cycles of nature. Read more>>

Vandarray Jackson-Reid

My first stage play came from a book that I wrote about a life experience. My Father read it and said it should be a stage play. Read more>>

Jeanna Crawford

Jeanna Loves Christmas started four years ago with 110 followers on Instagram and a passion to share my love of Christmas with the world. We now have 206,000 Christmasers on Instagram and over 300,000 across all platforms – people who are just as excited to share daily life with me as much as our mutual love of the season! This growth is a reflection of connection. Read more>>

Dominic Palacios

Tbh this question is really hard for me to choose. I have so many meaningful projects that I’ve worked on in the past. Read more>>

Alfred Nomad

I’m currently releasing a meaningful music project titled “Keep Moving Forward” Read more>>

Ayin Es

My work is project-based. All of them hold important meaning. They depict personal themes, environmental, family, mental illness, disability, gender, LGBTQ+ topics, and existential dilemmas. Read more>>

Michael Caria

I think it’s important to write, compose something that has meaning; as an artist I think that everything that is produced for “artistic purpose” needs to be unique and special, for this reason when I compose an album I always try to give it a meaning, also because if it weren’t like this I wouldn’t have the right stimuli to bring it to term. Read more>>

Jonez Cain

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is “Fruitvale Station”. Most recently an audio book I wrote titled “17” co-written by Amber “AL” Sandifer. “17” is loosely based on true life events focused on PTSD due to sexual assaults the lead character Naiomi endured. Unresolved trauma will always resurface we get to see how Naiomi overcomes her adversity with re-alignment with Jesus.There’s also a #metoo aspect to the films storyline. “17” is something new we have coined it as “Gritty Gospel”. Read more>>

Jason Keener

Recently completed a 2-year project about recent deaths in the family. Read more>>

Brian Thompson

We created a beer called Stars On The Ceiling with Shipyard brewery based off of a song I wrote with Scott Avett (The Avett Brothers) Read more>>

Cosom Clark

I got my first lead role in a film, this is something I’m really excited about and can’t wait to work on. Read more>>

Martin Flores

I’m realizing i need to follow my heart more. Self-initiated projects are really doing it for me. Read more>>

Kenny Od

I just completed my feature film titled: FRIENDS LIKE SISTERS. It premiered on March 25th and is live in Amazon Prime and other TV networks. Read more>>

Kelli Foret Richard

Drawn to Grow. I have more info provided in the next section. Read more>>

Roland Mann

Cat & Mouse is probably my most popular work. Read more>>

Natalie Wilson

Shell on Wheels, creating intentional access and vibrant place making through the performing arts. Read more>>

Michele E. Gwynn

Developing book series that resonate with readers has been my greatest accomplishment to date. As a multi-genre author, my own interests led me in several directions from crime fiction to science fiction. But falling into the romantic suspense genre, specifically military romance, put my name in front of the right readers. That lucky break came when a fellow author introduced me to the special forces’ world created by New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Stoker. Read more>>