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.

Erick Del Aguila

Recently, I had the privilege of writing the music score of a documentary titled “Pachacutec: The Improbable School,” helmed by director Mariano Carranza and backed by the esteemed chef Gaston Acurio. This documentary delves into the extraordinary story of the Pachacutec Cookery School nestled in the outskirts of Lima—a beacon of hope situated in an impoverished district. Read more>>

Stacy Hawkins Adams

In October 2023 I released into the world a single-poem chapbook titled “The Pivot.’” I penned the poem early one morning during my usual 5 a.m. writing time, when I routinely opened my laptop to work on a few chapters of the women’s fiction novel I’m writing. Instead of fleshing out one of my characters on that December 2021 morning, out poured this poem – which was deeply moving even as I wrote it, and yet startling, because in my nearly 20-year career as a nationally published author, with books released by HarperCollins, Baker Publishing Group and my own imprint, Spring Rock Publishing, I had never considered myself a poet. Read more>>

Pretty Blaq

The most meaningful project that I’ve ever created would be my debut Album titled “Bantu Knots”. Bantu Knots is an African/African American hairstyle, characterized by sectioning our hair off into multiple parts, twisting and rolling our hair into individual balls all over our head. I work in “Corporate America” and I wore my natural locs in that style to the office where I worked one day, and my old white racist coworker called me “Buckwheat”. Read more>>

Dinara Baizakova

I collaborated with 20 other individuals on this project for a total of 6 months. The final set of photos was completed and ready in March. The project is about Finding the Value of yourself through individual experiences and embracing personal shadow aspects. This involves:– Expressing one’s sexuality openly and authentically., being liberated. – Affirming a woman’s entitlement to have multiple partners, regardless of race, gender, age, etc. Read more>>

Estephanie De La Cruz

I released “Runaway” on soundcloud April 28, 2022. I rereleased it on all streaming platforms in July of that same year. This was the first song that I had produced, and mixed and on my own. It was also the first song I had ever put out on all streaming platforms. On top of that, it was the first song I had ever really finished. “Runaway” was about me feeling lost and just wanting to run off somewhere where I can watch all the beautiful things happen without necessarily being apart of it. It was my way of wishing to relinquish myself from peoples lives, because I thought I no longer fit in it. Read more>>

Kevin Tratasta

It was an incredible journey with the band I play with named “Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras.” Touring the USA was a dream come true. I play lead guitar in the band. The camaraderie within the band and the energy of the performances made every moment memorable. Meeting new people and playing in diverse venues enriched my musical journey. Read more>>

Bessy Adut

The most meaningful project I am currently working on is called “Searching for Goodness” I came up with the idea in 2018. I was working on a documentary film project called “The Dissident” as well as the Academy Award winning Netflix documentary “Icarus” in Santa Monica with Bryan Fogel. It is interesting how I got drawn into documentaries in time. Read more>>

Shih-Hsuan Kuo

I just wrapped up my MFA thesis film at Chapman University called ‘MOVE,’ and it’s become the most meaningful thing I’ve worked on to date. When director Ana Farré Moutinho approached me with the concept, I immediately connected to its core theme. The narrative explores the protagonist’s journey, Faisal, as he navigates a situation where control seems elusive, a concept I’ve grappled with both in my artistry and personal life. Read more>>

Chellis Baird

In my work I set out to convey a feeling, gesture, or mood and experiment with materials and color throughout the process. One of my most meaning projects was a series I created for the Louise Nevelson Chapel at Saint Peter’s Church in 2019. The eight large works were inspired by the white Nevelson Chapel as well as our shared love of dance. Nevelson made at times very angular works and was an active modern dancer. Read more>>

Hsing-Chia Hsieh

“Recover from Oblivion” is a handmade book, my photographic project. Read more>>

Michael Botte

After signing with Big Records back in August 2023, many doors have started to open. I was introduced to a music marketing and promoter named Paul Linney who was working on a project to build awareness and raise funds for an organization called “Voices Against Trafficking” or VAT. As an interesting twist, the founder of VAT, Andi Buerger, coincidentally heard my music on a BLAST Music 247 podcast and commented on how much she liked my sound. Read more>>

Adam Finkle

As a commercial photographer and Artist, I’m both a problem solver and a story teller. A few years ago, I was asked to create some artwork that stretched both of these skills in me. The idea was to photograph performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) under a microscope. Something I had never done before. On the probelm solver side, I had to figure out what kind of microscope I needed, how to attach a camera to it and what kind of camera I needed. Read more>>

Adam Qutaishat

I think the most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far has been my podcast, Vigil. I’ve been making music and theatre professionally since I was 18 years old. And I’ve been making audio fiction for 5 years. But I had never had much success at finding an audience. I worked hard and built several shows from the ground up for theatre companies, pour hours and hours into crafting scripts, casting actors, designing audio, and more. Read more>>

Dulce Maria Diaz

As an art director and curator, I’ve only had fun and meaningful projects through my non-profit. Working with artists, creating platforms, hosting television programming and honing graffiti art history; I’d have to say that “Family Resemblance: The Evolution of Chicago-Style Graffiti” exhibit and all accompanying events around it has been most meaningful. I began my non-profit with aim to give light to graffiti writers and help educate the public on the differences between street art and style writing graffiti. Read more>>

Kristina Kendrick

The most significant project I’ve dedicated myself to over the past three years is “Femininity 4 Sale.” It’s an ongoing initiative close to my heart, aimed at creating a community of trauma-aware facilitators and conscious creators. Our mission is to share our unique healing methods, modalities, and magic with the world, inspiring others to do the same in a safe and nurturing environment. Read more>>

Amanda Suckow

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is a multimedia piece that explores my experience as a nonbinary, queer person navigating self-acceptance and healing. It all started one day, early in the pandemic, when I was out for a walk in my neighborhood. A stranger approached me, clearly confused by my appearance. They bluntly asked me, “What the f*ck are you?”Read more>>

Caterina De Falco

I’m currently writing my first book, which is set to be published this spring. For over 30 years, I’ve been passionate about doing something related to food and France. My goal has always been to bring the French style of eating and better quality food to the U.S. to improve the American food culture. I’ve tried importing food, creating a food line for grocery stores, and various other small projects, but none of them were successful in the way I imagined. Read more>>

Frances Martinez

AlMonía: Souls In Harmony is a queer community reclaiming spirituality for all! We organize and host a monthly, nation-wide, virtual event to embrace our spirituality and queerness. We facilitate a rotating community-led panel of speakers, artists, and practitioners that we feel offer helpful tools to add (or not) to your personal spiritual practice. Read more>>

Bart Sasam

The most meaningful project to me is the one I’m currently undertaking. That is, to grow a version of art centered around dioramas of real life scenes that force people to step away from any self-interested views of the world, and instead, be more conscious of everyone and everything around them. I’ve been selling prints of my diorama photos and also aim to continue growing a larger presence digitally on social media. Read more>>

Sabrina Squires

One thing that people are always looking for in art is meaning. I’ve found that the stronger the story behind the piece, the more my audience will connect. I know I’ve succeeded when someone connects their own personal stories and shares deep connections I never would’ve found on my own. I recently sold a piece to the sister of a friend. I did a small art show in the living room of my current live-work space for her family, and it was rewarding to watch them look through the pieces and see which ones “spoke to them”. Read more>>

Lauren Steinhofer

I am the organizer and founder of an arts and music festival called (y) art? Or why art? This project is what keeps my heart pumping most of the time. We (because it’s not just me anymore) have created a village in the woods with artists ranging from 12 years old to 75 years old using almost any medium you can imagine. The community that this project has cultivated gives me hope for humanity at large. Read more>>

Jonathan Kelly

My current book Trauma Monsters: A Collection of Poetry is my most meaningful work to date. It’s taken me 7 years to write these pieces and in that time I’ve grown both personally and creatively. Read more>>

Hannah Pedersen

I’ve always wanted to do art in some way, shape or form. I’ve been drawing or doing creative projects since I was little, and knowing now that I’m neurodivergent, it makes a lot of sense. Being creative went hand in hand with ADHD in being able to entertain myself, and I would have hyperfixations on many different art forms. Read more>>

Shannon Vivar

The Vitality Exchange Collective’s Conscious Leader Wellness Program is the most meaning-filled project I have taken on! Launching this year, this seven-month program is designed specifically for mid-to-senior-level leaders who want to incorporate a healthier mindset and overall wellbeing into their leadership style and life. Read more>>

Angela Cuban Diva

As of this year 2023 I had had many amazing projects I worked on. Let’s go back to the beginning of this year and work our way down. I have traveled a lot this year and and from Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Phoenix, AZ and back to Houston. I have been booked to perform a lot in those cities. In Corpus Christi I performed at club Gemini and that was amazing. I was a special guest artist and had many radio interviews just to name a few KLMO with Adam Ace & Placido, Majic 104.9 with LBJ , Wild 105.5 with the beautiful Angel Dee. Read more>>