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.

Emily Farthing

When I got sober I never thought I’d work again in the modeling or fashion industry. Felt that door kick me on the way out. Hitting a rock bottom in addiction and coming out the other side gave me a new perspective on where I felt my life going. Firstly to just be a stable functioning human but then to understand what saved me and how I could give back. Read more>>

Chris Dyer

One of the most meaningful projects Ive done was when I was asked to paint a mural at the Bob Marley Mausoleum and Museum in Jamaica! I’ve been a huge Bob Marley fan since I was a teenager in Lima, Peru. His music and story have always inspired me and still does today! To be able to go to the mountains of 9 Mile, where Bob was born and later buried, to connect with the kind rastas who ran the place, and paint for them was a huge honour and joy! Read more>>

Contraband

At this Moment, my Most Meaningful project is my most recent project “Dope Tales’ (the Album). My main Idea was to make a project from beginning to end of music I orchestrated over beats I produced. It started off as a way to challenge my self to be a more creative artist ,experimenting with what I have to make something new. Read more>>

Kelin Callaway

Well it’s a complexed answer. The meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is Myself! Being a leader is a position in life that is very delicate and tons of responsibilities. I had to reevaluate the way I seen myself. People started to put their careers in my hands, which at times became intimidating. Read more>>

Ines Alvidres

What’s been the most meaningful project you have work on tell us a backstory so we can understand circumstances-context and why it’s meaningful to you? I think this is a very difficult question, but I love to answer it because every project from the beginning has been meaningful to me. When I go back and think of my very first paintings, I can ensure you that they all have a special meaning and their own story. Read more>>

Nigel Davis

‘Quality not Quantity’, played a big part in my most meaningful project. “A Series of Smiles” depicts visual images of mental health struggles, while simultaneously holding your physical together. In five abstract characters you journey through a self imposed therapy session set on Hahnemule Photo Rag and Arches Aquarelle Watercolor papers. Read more>>

Grande Zee

My project entitled ‘Shut Up Im Rappin’ was the most meaningful one to me in this phase of life, it was my first project out since I relocated to Florida & this time around not only was I driven by people who genuinely wanted to hear new music from me but I had grew a bigger fan base so not just the people I knew would be listening. Read more>>

Scott Barnett

Recently I have been working on a PBS documentary about the history of policing and race in the development of the City of Miami. As a native of Miami, I have always been interested in the hidden story of this City, its roots, and the people that were responsible for its development as a major center of commerce and industry. Read more>>

Lisa Winter

One of the things I love most about tattooing is that every piece you make is meaningful in one way or another. I’ve tattooed people in the highest and lowest times of their lives, and they trust me to take care of them. It’s an exchange that I cannot even describe how grateful I am for. Read more>>

Savannah Rey

Every time we redistribute clothing feels like the most meaningful project in that moment. Before ReyVived started, I was collecting pre loved clothes from friends and family to use as fabric to practice sewing with. Once ReyVived launched and more clothing was coming in, there was an over abundance of wearable items available. Read more>>

Denise Luce & Lauren Messing

Our most meaningful project we have ever worked on was definitely the birth of Corbeaux Magazine. In the first few months of COVID, we had to face the reality that we would not be able to create in our usual roles as a photographer (Denise) and make-up artist (Lauren). As any artist will attest, NOT creating is NOT an option. Read more>>

Ana Karina Da Silva

As an advertising creative, I’ve done amazing work for big clients like Disney, Allstate, Kellogg’s, Nissan, US Army. My work always try to be inclusive, and working for Hispanic and General Market agencies, I’ve done projects that helps children be inspired to study STEM careers, or find mentors for LGBTQ+ young communities. I won my dream awards including a Cannes Lions… Read more>>

Brian Williams

Every Christmas Texas Children’s hospital and Denali Foundation would put on an event together for terminally ill boys and girls. Every year I would volunteer by filming the event and put a video together for them. People would come dressed as Spiderman , characters from Star Wars , And Santa was even there! Seeing those kids happy brought me great joy, and I will continue to film and put together fun videos for those kids every year, because those kids are heroes in my eyes! I love to give back when I can and helping Texas Children hospital and Denali Foundation has been such an honor and I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to put my skills to use for a high cause! Read more>>

HeartCharged

HeartCharged has as its mission to end preventable deaths from sudden cardiac arrest and create a community of support for survivors. Our most meaningful project so far utilized the support of survivors to create a completely innovative way to end preventable deaths. We created a music video!! That teaches how to use an AED!! Read more>>

Michelle Waters

I have an ongoing body of work about endangered wild animals which I’ve been working on for 20+ years. Using my art to educate and advocate against extinction is my calling. My paintings are a response to the biological annihilation of the sixth mass extinction which we humans are causing. In the last 50 years, 2/3 of all wild animals have been wiped off the face of the Earth due to human overpopulation and overconsumption. I’m also an environmental and animal rights activist focusing on wildlife issues, and my art and activism are intertwined. Read more>>

Neiko Smith

My latest project for sure. Along with my co-producer Lisa Smith, we created out Show Love is Trash! Love is Trash is a love/relationship based comedy talk show where we interview comedians, our audience & other artists on past dating/relationship misfortune. Read more>>

Laura Miranda

I have been a barista for 5+ years and I really enjoy making coffee-related drinks. I wanted a way to share my passion with people from my community while also helping people in my community. A year ago, I decided to plan and coordinate a drink pop-up where all funds raised would benefit a non-profit organization in Texas called Raíces. We raised close to $800 by just selling some really freaking great drinks. Fast forward to today, we just had our 6th event and have raised over $5K for different organizations, mutual aid funds, and programs that truly focus on helping our communities. Read more>>

Movmnt Band

By far, the hardest project we have completed was our debut album in 2018. Not only did it take 2 years to complete, but we had a lot to learn along the way. Our first album made us better musicians and a better unit as a result. After all the hard work, the album catapulted us to another level in our genre and reach around the world. Read more>>

Kristin Washington

I wouldn’t point to one particular piece of my work and say that’s the most meaningful because I believe all of my work is impactful from tackling racism, and by association black maternal health and environmental justice (etc.) to tackling sexual abuse. Even conversations between creatives is impactful because you get to see the behind the scenes life from the highs to the lows. You get to see the community. I think it all matters because with what I do, almost every issue gets to be heard and everyone gets to see themselves. Read more>>

Acia Gray

As the Executive/Artistic Director of Tapestry Dance Company (founded in 1989), I have always strived to create dance and theatre works that bring people “present”…artists and audiences alike. Rhythm is Life….Life is Rhythm. Read more>>

Alfredo Leano

The most meaningful project that I worked on was my first book, “Representation Over Pure Visibility: Stories of Pilipinx-Americans in San Diego.” I had an idea to highlight the stories of Philippine Americans in San Diego who’ve made some kind of impact in the community, but I wanted to also make it personal for me. Read more>>

Norf Sole

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has to be my most recent project, “Around the Time of Sunset”. I believe that because it was created in a space of great change, uncertainty, determination, and growth. All of which forced me into a crazy mode. I was able to take those feelings and apply it to the music. This was a time that I can only thank God for because it made me a better person. A more independent person. A more self-loving person. This was one of the most beautiful times which birthed “Around the Time of Sunset”. Read more>>

Schuyler Nickleberry

Last year, I collaborated with the creative duo Shena and Shira Pridgett (The96Twinz) on a conceptual video inspired by Brent Faiyaz’s “Dead Man Walking” record. It was around January, usually the time where that dark cloud of seasonal depression falls upon me. Read more>>

Erik Fahner

I did a mental health matters hoodie that said “Tell Your Friends You Love Them” on the back and it was a major success for Biig Pluto’s community. I had a customer reach out and say that they lost a friend to suicide recently, and this hoodie spoke to them in amazing ways – Read more>>

Naomi Sky

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on is my next single, which will be released on August 12th! The song is called, “Blue Skies,” and it explores anxiety. During my junior year in college, I started experiencing panic attacks for the first time in my life. It felt extremely scary, and I wasn’t sure how to share my feelings and experiences with my friends. Music has always been a safe space for me to reflect on my emotions, so I wrote a song about the situation. Read more>>

Erbriyon Barrett

The most meaningful project to me I felt like I ever worked on was a mural I did in Greenville,SC behind this store called hyped experience in that community murals with a different style aren’t pushed that heavy there and I was glad to do a mural on such a huge wall to finally bring that new look of art into the art community there Read more>>

Gino Durante

In 2016 I started a travel documentary called “Drift Strangely.” The plan was to travel across all 50 states and collect a tattoo in each state, representing the time I spent there along with learning the culture and way of life lived in that spot. Traveling to 13 states already without a camera and only documenting it through photos, I had to do them all over and then go from there. Read more>>

Yasmin Campbell

The most meaningful project i worked on and still working on is the ReGeCk Outreach foundation. Every 3rd Sunday we feed and cloth the homeless in downtown Dallas. . You see it means alot to me. I once was homeless i never had to sleep out side i slept in my car got a hotel room or someones couch. But i was a second away from sleeping out side. ive been hungry. Read more>>

Jil CROQUET

Hi, my name is Jil and I am a perfume designer here in San Diego. I was born and raised in beautiful Paris, France and came to America in 2018. I created Scent Strip Perfume early 2021, launching perfumes and colognes handmade locally in small batches with the French Perfume « savoir-faire ». Read more>>

Bri Schillings

Co-creating with one of the most passionate and driven women I know,Nora Munoz. She founded a Non-Profit called Sharda Yoga Center, Cultivating children’s futures. I was first introduced to Sharda as a yoga student at reUnify yoga, in Ocean Beach, owned by another power house,Nikki Rae Bose. Read more>>

Aziza Nawal

In addition to performing and teaching, I have also been a choreographer. My knowledge of Middle Eastern dance aka Belly Dance stems from years of training with notable instructors from the US and Egypt. This experience along with research on various styles of this dance has informed each choreography. Whetther teaching a routine to my students for an upcoming studio sponsored showcase, or creating a memorable experiences for a milestone celebration, the outcome was equally rewarding. Read more>>

Leah Abucayan

Yesterday the city of Doraville held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a mural I recently completed. Being able to cut the ribbon with the mayor and hearing stories from people of the community about the area and why the mural was significant to them made it one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever done. . Read more>>

Cyrus Rodas

I’ve worked on many projects that meant a lot to me! Every project and role I take on, it all sorta builds my personal character in some way and finds a special place in my heart. That being said, as of recent, I’ve gotten the opportunity to work on some amazing productions that had been released, such as Gearbox Software’s “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands”, where I voiced The Dread Lord, as several popular anime shows like “Tribe Nine” (voice of Roku Saigo), “Shenmue: The Animation” (voice of Zhangyu), “Prince of Tennis” (voice of Daichi Kiriyama) and “Haikyu!! To The Top” (voice of Coach Shishio). Read more>>

Romeo Kollie

Even-though all my work serves a great significance to me, I’d have to say that my first actual project titled “Endurance” could definitely be consider my most meaningful project. Adolescent emotions and confusion geared up my drive, I feel like I ascended in a sense. I endured a lot during my mid-late teenage years. Endurance is a summary & closure of that chapter in my journey. Read more>>

Felipe Senyaotl Monjaras

An ongoing photography project im currently working on is called ‘Masewalmeh’, or ‘The common people, in the Nawatl language. One of over 64 native languages in mexico. Nowadays, it is used as an umbrella term for ‘indigenous person’ from mexico. My goal for this project was to capture indigenous mexicans, in the modern day and in modern settings. Read more>>

Damaris Nino

Creating the collection or series “From Dust to Dust” thus far has been one of the most meaningful projects to date. This series of 20 paintings all in different size was a combination of mediums I had been wanting to use together since 2012 and finally decided to put it together. Acrylic paint and clay as a painting medium. It was a brand new adventure for me and left me feeling so full. Not only that, I was given the opportunity to have a Solo Art show for this particular collection. Read more>>

Lakshmi Basile La Chimi””

I have been fortunate enough to be part of many meaningful projects, but I must say that the most meaningful one is my latest and current project, nonprofit organization Alma Flamenca. When I moved back to the United States, after living aboard for fifteen years and dedicating my day to day one hundred percent to the art of Flamenco, I knew it was time to some how create a home for all this knowledge and experience I accumulated all these years, but at the same time continue to grow myself. Read more>>

Cathy Webb

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was also my first time modeling in a fashion show. The theme focused on increasing mental health awareness in the Black community and how it impacts every day life. My model group focused on depression. Read more>>

Amy Forsythe

I recently completed on the of most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on that resulted in a 200-page book titled “Heroes Live Here” that chronicled the memorials and tributes located on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California. Read more>>

Darren Daneliuk

The Cage in Your Head is about the cages that we put ourselves in through our limitation that we put on ourselves. This could be not pursuing your dreams from lack of confidence or belief on ones self. It could be an addiction that we spend our whole lives suffering from rather than dealing with it, moving on and growing as a person. We all put limitations on ourselves through our beliefs and short comings. The Cage in Your Head project is to help people recognize that with whatever they’re going through. They are not alone. Read more>>