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.

Christina Boy

and meaningful. You are building something that this person or family will live with and interact with for years to come and quite possibly pass it onto the next generation. There have been many projects that I have felt humbled to work on. In late 2016 I received my first large scale commission. 14 benches and 10 stools for James Madison’s Montpelier. I was thrilled. This was a huge project for my one woman shop and I felt validated. However, this project had a lot more in store for me than that. The benches and stools were for the new exhibit “The Mere Distinctions of Colour” that opened in the summer of 2017 – an exhibit that tells the stories of the enslaved that lived and worked at Montpelier. Read more>>

Malique Pye

My most meaningful project I have worked on is my self portrait exploration. I am exploring self portraits with photography and story telling. I have had self image issues stemming from childhood and I have never fully come to terms with the image of myself, always seeking improvement. I came to the idea of how to work on this for my mental health while looking at photos of myself during training for a MMA fight. Looking at the images I was in shape and the most lean I have ever been, but I remember not wanting to face myself in the mirror because I wasn’t good enough.I have never been able to appreciate myself in the moment. By deciding to start the self portraits I have been forcing myself to look at myself like I look at other people. Read more>>

Christopher and Hannah Lynch

Each quarterly volume of DDRC starts with a theme that prompts ideas for contributing artists. We invite a group of artists–one musical act, several visual artists, and 1-2 literary artists who we feel will do well with the given theme–and it takes off from there! What is especially meaningful about our project for us is that it lifts OTHER artists and allows them to play and experiment in a relatively low-pressure setting. It hopefully exposes them to a few other artists who they may not have otherwise gotten to know. We intentionally include both established and emerging artists when we cast our net for contributors for a new theme. Read more>>

Sarah Maddocks

Meaningful Projects Read more>>

John Wilcox

My band November Blue is working on and releasing our debut album. We were able to work with some world famous musicians and producers like Michael Omartian in legendary spaces like blackbird studios. The music we are writing and recording is work that I am extremely proud of and can’t wait to share with the world. I was also able to write and produce Sarah Manzo’s upcoming album which contains songs from the past couple years that I can’t wait for the world to hear. It is extremely personal music and the writing, production, and arrangement are all things I am extremely proud of. Read more>>

Judy Robkin

I was commissioned to create 10 large pieces to be installed in a Memory Care unit of an Assisted Living facility. My pieces are hand-built, one-of-a-kind clay women, mostly elderly, often adorned with found objects which help to tell their story. Each of these special pieces was installed in an alcove at the beginning of a corridor and are being used as “guides” for the residents to find their way home. To have my art serve as both a memory prompt and a recognized friend give it tremendous purpose and meaning. Read more>>

Jennah Park

In 2022, I worked on “My Tiny Friends,” a 3D short animated film in the fantasy genre. This movie delves into the inner world of the protagonist, Sasha, as she undergoes a journey of self-acceptance through her relationships with friends in her imagination. The film has garnered recognition with awards from the New York Independent Cinema Awards, Hollywood Burbank Film Awards, Boston Independent Film Awards, European Film Festival, and Los Angeles Independent Women’s Film Awards. It has also been selected for screening at 15 other film festivals. Read more>>

Kanyun

I get so much fulfillment out of my projects, whether it be an EP, an album, a cover art or a particular date for release. I always find some sort of meaning along the way. I never sit down and say “I’m going to write a song for my dad today.” The meaning always comes during the journey and then it gives me that grand moment of finality when I finish it. My Finally Safe EP was released on my Father’s birthday, and that wasn’t decided until about halfway through the project. Once that date was established, it gave me something really special to grip onto while I was finishing up the writing process, which carried all the way through into mixing and then post production. Read more>>

Tianna Cohen

In 2020, my partner Frankie Zabilka and I, like many others, were yearning for a creative outlet. We collaborated with an Outdoor Adventure Park in Lemont, IL (a suburb approximately 30 minutes from Chicago) to establish an outdoor concert series that prioritized the safety of both performers and audience members. Our first venture was a compact 60-minute show titled “The Forge Sings Disney,” where friends from Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago united to present a free event for families. This allowed us, as singers, to return to the stage and provided a delightful and secure experience for children. Read more>>

Candace Moore

As a director I am lucky enough to work with a range of artists. Most of the time I work with adults, but this season at Encore I was able to work with children, the youngest being only 8 years old. That experience really reminded me why I do what I do. I realized how much I was taking for granted as a director and reminded how important art is for the younger generations. The cast showed up daily excited to learn, full of hope, and ready to try anything. It was truly inspiring to be a part of and fueled me to push myself even harder going into the 2024 season. It’s easy to get burnt out when you’re constantly creating and trying to stay relevant and original. Shows like the one mentioned really revive you and bring a much needed fresh perspective. Read more>>

Banswomb

Our song “Instagram” is meaningful to us. It holds an important message about the negative impact of social media on society, particularly the pressure to compete and the tendency to present a false image of one’s life. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their authentic selves and to be at peace with whatever stage of life they are in. Read more>>

Reiko Huang

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve recently worked on is the creation of my debut song, “Harbor,” which was released on December 12, 2023. This song holds a special place in my heart as it represents a culmination of my own lyrics, composition, and arrangement. The inspiration behind “Harbor” draws from my personal journey of making the bold decision to come to the United States for my studies during the latter stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more>>

Maura Tuffy

In June of 2022, I had the opportunity to sing composer Joby Talbot’s extraordinary choral masterwork, “Path of Miracles,” with the Detroit-based ensemble Audivi. The piece, in its four movements, illustrates the medieval pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The experience of performing this music was singular. It so naturally brought to life this sense of wanderlust that one feels when walking the Camino Frances. I distinctly remember the expressions on the conductor’s face towards the end of the fourth movement and thought “Wow, I really want to conduct this someday.” Read more>>

George McDonald

My Show “The G-Smoove Experience, A movie I co wrote called Entanglement, Angie Stones latest album “Love Language”, Ruben Studdards Latest Album “The Way I remember It” and his current single from that project “Masterpiece.” Read more>>

Adam Nedeff

I began writing books about game shows because it was a subject that I cared about that was overlooked a lot. I wanted to hear stories about who made these shows, where the ideas came from, the backgrounds of the hosts…I did it because I cared about that stuff. It never occurred to me what this stuff would mean to the people I write about. That might sound naive, but I honestly never considered it in those terms. So when the wife of a legendary host, Bill Cullen, invited me to her home and orders lunch for me, just a simple gesture like that was honestly the first time that I really processed, “Oh, wow, they’re grateful for this. Read more>>

Rickey Larke

In 2023 I made my most ambitious independent project to date. A 50k budgeted short film with a crew of over 80 professionals. I felt blessed because the film was almost derailed by both the writer’s strike and later, actor’s strikes halting production for all guilded film professionals. At every turn as a black filmmaker, I heard “no” or “wait” but my small group of independent producers persisted and were one of the first projects to shoot with waivers from both guilds and create paying jobs for young actors, crew and businesses participating in the strike. Read more>>

Eli Beaird

Though my time illustrating comic books the one that sticks out in my mind is my first and currently ongoing comic “Alien 101” It was the first comic I started taking seriously after graduating high school. Although the first attempt was rough, I learned a lot about the process as well as the pitfalls of making comic books. The story was about an alien in college trying to understand human love, featuring many characters that were based on people in my life, and although things are very exaggerated there was a bit of truth to it. On a personal level, the comic was a reflection of the lessons I had learned in love and relationships. Read more>>

Zenovia

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is starting a non-profit organization that encourages Black Families to get outside and adventure together. This organization was born from my families lived experiences. As we would head out to hike, paddle board etc…we rarely encountered other Black families. It took some time before we truly thought about “why”, but it was frustrating to witness. We wanted to be a part of shining the narrative of who enjoys the outdoors and who it was for, so we started Black Kids Adventures, Inc. Read more>>

Jay Pray

Most meaningful project is a YouTube show called My Life/My Story. I interview individuals who experience traumatic events and their growth through it. I wanted to create a platform where people can speak about events that happened to them and are happening in communities all over. “I feel these stories will spark conversations that we need to have within our community, Read more>>

Dylan Guerra

I wrote and directed a short film called “Didn’t Think I’d See You Here” that we shot in 2022 and completed in 2023. It was my first time directing film– I come primarily from a theater background. But I was going through a really intense personal time; my heart was broken, I was between creative projects, I could feel depression beginning to sneak up on me. I didn’t know where to put these feelings so I created this short film that attempted to convey these feelings wrapped up in a haunting and funny ghost story. The story itself had tremendous meaning to me, but what surprised me most coming into film was how much I bonded with the crew of the film. Read more>>

Jazmin Shiner

The most meaningful project I have worked on to date I have not yet titled. It’s a 3×2 Ft mixed media Painting on a stretched canvas. The art on the canvas is an original character created by myself. It is my first Anime character. Back when I first started challenging myself as an artist I use to go to the local library wherever I lived and find books with images that I could copy, trace, color, anything. I fell into Manga books. The first 2 I ever read were “naruto” and “ Chibi Vampire”. I simultaneously grew a strong interest in drawing and anime. From there I became obsessed with turning myself into a chibi character, or constantly drawing my self in different art forms. Read more>>

Kyle Sigmon

Every solo project I have ever done has been incredibly meaningful to me for different reasons, but I would love to share some of the meaning behind my most recent project, my forthcoming album, “Acceptance,” which is set to be released February 2nd. I’ve already released singles, “Gardens,” “Perfectly Imperfect,” “Autumn Song,” and “The Question,” which are available on streaming services now. “Acceptance” attempts to capture the essence of a season of growth and maturity in my life. I have found that spending consistent amounts of time in meditation opens things up in a new way. Read more>>

Cody Daniel

Working on my past project from Nashville was an incredible experience. I was able to record with the same musicians that worked on records with Dave Matthews band, John Mayer, and Taylor Seift Read more>>

Bob Carroll

I was a professional magician and ventriloquist for over 55 years traveling all over the United States doing my act. When I retired to California to be near my grandchildren, I never would have thought that I would be doing a Facebook show about trivia. So it happened the day Covid 19 hit us hard. I remember that is around March 18th 2020 had us on lock down. I told my wife Deb that I was going to go crazy just sitting around and I said I bet a lot of other people was going to feel the same way. So I told her that I was going to do a trivia show on Facebook. So I got out a trivia book and went live about 3 PM in the afternoon waiting for people to show up. Read more>>

Scottie Miller

Writing and composing my latest project “Carnival Cocoon” has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life and career. It started with compiling poems I had written over the past five years or so, with the goal of releasing a book of my poetry. As I was creating the book I began experimenting and improvising on piano while I read the poems, responding musically with the feeling of each piece. I recorded the compositions that worked well organically, then built on the concept to later record the fully produced “album version” of Carnival Cocoon. Read more>>

Miles Orion Butler

The Kensington Storefront bloomed in the shell of an old electronics store nestled in a busy and chaotic stretch of Kensington Ave, the heart of Philadelphia’s opioid/drug crisis and epidemic. The Storefront was a force for art as harm reduction and safe, compassionate healing through honest, raw connections in a place far too often scoffed off as zombieland. The Storefront was a place that saved lives through creative expression and where healing was an everyday exchange. Read more>>

Gautier Abadie

Dirty Rhetoric is the first feature film I’ve scored. I’m currently in the later stages of the process, preparing the recording session with a symphonic orchestra. This project means so much to me because it is the first feature film I get to put my name on. It has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and explore much more than I ever thought I’d have to. From songwriting to animation, jingles, dance and film scoring, this piece has been mobilizing a variety of skills that I didn’t even realize I had. Written and directed by my friend James Evans, Dirty Rhetoric is a period piece set in the early 1950s. James and I have been collaborating since 2022 to create the best score possible for the film. Read more>>

Andy Moerlein

The Project I am working on is Ten Thousand Labors. Men are always expected to be “Age Defying Superheros.” As I add years to my very physical life, I am finding my limitations creeping inward ever so slowly. As a sculptor of large work, my pieces demand a wearing and persistent physicality. In my art I confront ideas and challenge different media – using my stamina and strength, my mind and memories. I contemplate the endless and seemingly pointless things I do as an artist – as I meander around and try to process what I am experiencing. Read more>>

Wei Ren

I identify as a spatial environment designer and artist, involved in both tangible and virtual realms, with a specialization in environment concepts. Upon opening my portfolio, you’ll encounter a diverse array of my work. It spans from 2D elements like concept art, graphic design, illustration, layouts, paintings, and photography, to 3D creations such as installations, interior designs, window displays, and performance art. My educational background in environment art design, encompassing interior and landscape design, enhanced my understanding of spatial design during my first master’s degree. Subsequently, my professional experience as an interior designer and tutor revealed the limitations of interior design on my imaginative concepts, leading me to transition into the game world. Read more>>

Ruohan Li

I made a video art and a readymade in 2018 inspired by what happened in Beijing at the end of 2017. The former is called Vagrant Signpost, and the latter is Award You! Beijing is an international metropolis with an extremely high population facing housing shortage, wage imbalance, gap of wealth and a series of social issues. The population in 2016 got over 21.95 million including 807 million external population and reached the historical peak. The majority of the external population actually work as cheap labor who are impossible to obtain Beijing residence. They huddle in small and shabby dormitories in the suburbs of Beijing because they cannot afford the high rent in urban areas. Read more>>

Manny Grey

In 2020 I embarked on two projects that where dear to me. The first was walking from Brockton, Massachusetts to Florida, A journey that took 76 days, 1300+ miles, and over 2 million steps. It changed me dramatically in ways I still feel to this day. When I returned, I wanted to share some semblance of the relief my trip had given me. So I started the Embers Project where I collected over 200 user submitted stories from all over the world to be burned on New Year’s Eve 2020. These people expressed to me their pandemic stories, most of which I read aloud before burning. Out of respect for the ceremony, I haven’t told their stories since and likely never will again. The burning coincided with the release of my Embers EP where I told the final stories of my old life and feelings before I moved on to who I truly am today. Read more>>

Marlene Sharp

Talented LA-based digital sculptor Beth Maki is architect of the most meaningful endeavor in my career: creative and business collaboration with adults on the autism spectrum. Picture peak pandemic (2020) and a buzzing cell phone (mine) with Beth on the other line. She describes her new-ish job as art instructor for The Center for Learning Unlimited in Torrance, CA. Her employer – specifically, CLU’s 3-year year career training program in animation for autistic adults – is 12 months away from graduating its first class.. The school administration seeks an industry pro to discuss entertainment employment prospects for its unique student body.. Am I able to oblige? Read more>>

Aaron Schaefer

Although it says “Pencrafting” in the name, I have always felt that a gift not only purchased, but created with an individual in mind is the most meaningful sort of gift a person can give. My late mother was the best at getting gifts for each of my siblings and I. She shopped year round for us all and frequented clearance sections in each store until something just screamed “______ would love this” and she would wrap and stow them away. Christmas was her favorite time of year and being the youngest and last to leave the house gave me the opportunity to look not only at the recipient of the gift, but the givers as well. One of the things I miss the most about her. Read more>>

Dadisi Curtis Jr

Overtime as an artist I have come to realize that the best work I can create are those that have an immediate connection. In my case most of the projects I work on are based on stories from my own life that are then expanded on. For some time, I have created work based on this concept of black Frankenstein, highlighting the demonization of African Americans in popular media. Six years ago, I left my dorm. It was a cold day, so I donned my ski mask. As a white couple approached me the woman clutched her purse and jokingly said, “Please don’t rob me,” and they laugh. This angered me to my core, deep down a part of me wanted to say, “I wasn’t going to, but now I will.” Read more>>

Shari Weschler

After many challenging life changes from 2019 into 2022 I arrived on the first day of 2023 sick with covid and felt that I had transformed into an entirely different person. In 2022 I took on the position as an executive assistant to a corporate CEO, closed a successful contemporary gallery business that survived a pandemic, and moved to a new city. I was separated from a beautiful studio that I had designed and built above the garage of my twenty-year home and was not sure how, or if, I would find a way back to my personal creativity. Read more>>