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.

Levi McClain

In early 2023 I found myself in Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania eager to research and shoot an educational video project I was working on about Ringing Rocks Park. Ringing Rocks is centered around a very special boulder field in where many of the rocks hum musical tones like bells when you strike them with hammers. Read more>>

Finn Licata

I’ve done several projects that have involved covering up scars from gender affirming surgeries. my most recent favorite was a piece that had a crane centered on the individual’s chest with thorn vines coming out from the sides following the path of some double mastectomy scars. Read more>>

Meagan Boulter

I have been creating portraits for over 25 years. It was not until the past year or so that I have found my purpose in doing so. It has always been easy for me to do portraits, and I have never had trouble finding people wanting to commission them from me. But my perspective on creating portraits all changed one day. Read more>>

Matt Smiley

As an artist, I invested a big portion of my early career into filmmaking. When I stumbled into documentary filmmaking I discovered a medium of storytelling that gave me the opportunity to take a deep dive into history and really make an impact on bringing a worldwide audience to pay attention to certain issue. Read more>>

Staci Olsen

The most meaningful project I worked on was my novel Falling through Stars. I grew up in Alaska and had a very unique childhood there. My parents adopted four Alaska native siblings, and there was a lot of controversy surrounding the adoption because of differing race and religion. Read more>>

JAHZEEL MONTES

The most meaningful project that I have been working on for the past 10 years is the founding and growing of the nonprofit organization, Internal Creations, Inc. Read more>>

Karen Halbert

The most meaningful project I’ve been a part of, by far, is the Super Kids program I offer through my photography business. As photographers, we love sharing the beauty of the world around us with others. Giving back can be another way to share beauty. Read more>>

Sarvin Haghighi

Meaningful projects are important because they add depth and purpose to our daily lives. They provide us with opportunities to express our creativity, share important messages, and collaborate with loved ones, enriching our experiences and strengthening our connections. Read more>>

Lakisha Rousseve

The Rise of Leadership: Path to Identity is a creative documentary that helps others walk in their God given identity. The documentary speaks about family, community and the church using the analogy of the eagle, ox and lion. Read more>>

Carly Cravotta

The meaningful project I am currently working on is growing a fire troupe of 5 women. Flow arts started as my COVID-19 lockdown hobby back in 2020, but it has slowly grown into so much more. I found the flow arts community in Jacksonville and they introduced me to fire props. Read more>>

Sierra Johnson

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is IVO Early Athlete Camp. IVO (Improve, Vitalize, Optimize) is my creative wellness company that has an athletic division, IVO Athletics. IVO Athletics focuses on building the fundamentals in athletics for children ages 12 and under. Read more>>

Arielle Cole

Right now, I am producing a dance festival geared toward amplifying the voices of professional dancers and choreographers in my community of San José. I found myself driving up to San Francisco and Oakland regularly for performance opportunities, and I wanted to find similar events in the South Bay Area. Read more>>

Corey Robbins

Cephalopod marked a significant turning point in my journey towards becoming a full-fledged artist. My sketchbook had always been a loyal companion, but usually the ideas only lived there. Read more>>

Helene Farrar

In the Spring that Covid arrived, I started this genuine slow down to meditate through the general chaos of the universe and started painting flowers. This body of work has spread a lot of joy! Read more>>

Jessica Birmingham

It was important for me to have a business that serves a purpose in our community other than just selling things. I’m grateful that when challenges come our way, we have a strong purpose and “why” to keep us moving forward. Read more>>

Mona Andrei

I believe that the saddest thing in the world is forgotten potential. My goal in writing my book, SUPERWOMAN: A Funny and Reflective Look at Single Motherhood, was to encourage young, single mothers to remember who they are; mothers, yes. Read more>>

Trajan Baker

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story! The Legacy Mural Project – Completed: May 2023 – Location: Hampton University, Hampton, VA Read more>>

Kincaid Walker

Most recently, I produced and acted in a short film, “Plant People” that my husband, Jason Eksuzian, wrote and directed. It is a quirky drama in which I play Phoebe, a supermarket cashier who is the sole human in a world of plant people. Read more>>

Brandon Gates

The Pull Up Experience is truly a passion project for us to celebrate and place a spotlight on our city and the minority small business owners in Cleveland! As a group of entrepreneurs ourselves we had a close network of other entrepreneurs we knew that hadn’t gotten the recognition they deserved. Read more>>

Dennis Chan

I got to design an action figure that was used on-camera for Kelvin Yu’s “American Born Chinese” TV show, based on Gene Luen Yang’s groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name. Read more>>

JT Cinco

The most meaningful project I’ve worked so far would have to be my last EP “Top Five”. The reason why this project is special to me is mainly because of the time frame it took for me to complete it and the things I was going through in life at the moment. Read more>>

Arturo Carrillo

This project holds the power that redefine my life’s path. Back in June 2022, when my Instagram account was hacked, it seemed like a minor hiccup, but its impact was monumental. Read more>>

Trevarri Huff-Boone

My newest project ,”The Modernist”, embodies all that resonates deeply with me: music, family, friends, sci-fi, and gaming, all harmonizing within the album’s sonic landscape. Read more>>

TONY Tran

One of the most meaningful projects I ever undertook occurred during the pandemic, a time when I felt the weight of various emotions stemming from the rise in anti-Asian sentiment. Read more>>

Justus Bryan

Taking Down the Net. This project helped me to remember the love, passion and fun I have the making beats. Before this project I was making beats hoping that an artist will find my BeatStars page and buy one of them. Read more>>

Brian Scott

Being a magician and family entertainment specialist I have had the opportunity to be a part of a wide range of meaningful projects. Read more>>

Alexa Ashley

Directed a music video on a sailboat off the coast of Portugal during an artist residency. Did 3 visual art performances in 3 days for Mexico City’s 2024 Art Week. Read more>>

Ryan Halsne

I have been a freelance artist and graphic designer in Summit County, CO for over 8 years. I have been lucky enough to have affordable housing with reasonable space for a home studio. Read more>>

Deb Komitor

I tend to work in series. Years ago I was able to visit Jedediah State Park in Crescent City, CA. Trees are one of my true loves, but the redwoods captured my heart and soul. Read more>>

Holly Picano

Here are a few of my meaningful projects. 1. Painting Dreams: How Holly Picano Brought Her Artistic Vision to Life at Disney’s EPCOT Festivals (this would include meeting job shadowing Ralph Kent, who knew Walt Disney himself) Read more>>

Christian Hatcher

In college I was a part of a project called Black enough. I was approached an asked to help direct it. This was two years before covid and the project was a Thesis project by a spoken word poet. Read more>>

Roger Young Jr.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on, thought a little dated, was the Funimation Logo Animation circa 2015-2023. This project was executed during my tenure at Funimation, now Crunchyroll, all under Sony Pictures Television. Read more>>

Melissa Schade

My favortie and most meaniful project would have to be my annual birthday party and variety show. For the last 9 years I have thrown myself a birthday bash, but it is not just a gift from me to me, but also for the entire community that surrounds me. Read more>>

Tradessa Willis

The most meaningful project for us is us. Our endeavor in creating and curating music that deeply resonates with other individuals is something that we really spend time fine tuning to a high caliber. Read more>>

Jill Storey

I was recently involved in a project to help fundraise for the widow of a local musician, Pinto Bennett. Each year he and his friends would gather together and play for three days, and this time they all gathered to play and honor his memory. Read more>>