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.

Shari Rowe

Writing and releasing “The Heavy” will always stand out for me. I co-wrote the song with Mark Chandler and Warren Garrett, and it continues to strike a chord with listeners. Read more>>

Michelle Hays

Although I started my career as a graphic designer and multimedia producer, the arrival of my differently-abled daughter launched me into the world of special education. Read more>>

Adrian Halpern

The most meaningful project(s) I have worked on would be my solo art shows. I have collaborated with friends on video animations with original music productions and sound installations. Read more>>

Kyle Clark

I have recorded two podcasts in a boat on the open ocean. Not for any other reason that I needed to know if we could, and then a second time because it felt funny to do it again. Read more>>

Karin Broker

My art was always based on “something”. But in 2013 I was pretty angry about something that occurred at my University (where I was a Full Professor of Art). Read more>>

Gokul Pann

Last year, I wrote and directed my first feature film, “Bury Them With Your Smile.” It’s become the most meaningful project I’ve ever undertaken. Read more>>

Roxanne Darling

I have two! Beach Walks with Rox: We were very early podcasters (in 2005) and wanted to experiment with video podcasting. Living in Hawaii at the time, I took my dog to the beach every morning for exercise. Read more>>

Dante Lorenzo

The Philly Journal Project. I ask local artist to install their original art on the front and back cover of a composition book. On the inside cover of the notebooks are three rules as followed: Read more>>

Cami Turpin

I have a personal project I sort of fell into called The Thousand Words Project. I was looking for a way to work on my photography skills without actually having to take on a large shooting project in addition to all the other things I was already working on. Read more>>

Fabián Ruiz

Three years ago I began to focus my illustrations to look for an editor that would give me the opportunity to illustrate a story, I began to post illustrations with that approach on Instagram and fortunately an editor contacted me and believed in me to illustrate a story called The Owner of the fire written by Ivan Pérez Téllez. Read more>>

Kate Dodd

Sometimes the most meaningful projects are the ones that you learn the most from. One of the reasons I like making site-specific work is because I get so fully immersed in the site and its community, and consequently learn about both. Read more>>

Dii Fu

During the late pandemic, I witnessed many personal stories of my Chinese immigrant women friends struggling to balance pursuing freedom in their lives with the pressure from their parents and relatives in China. Read more>>

Tracy Bonham

Recently, I had the honor and priveledge of performing my music with The Eugene Ballet Company in my hometown of Eugene, OR. Read more>>

Sneha Mendes

I used to wonder where my inspiration came from. As I dive deeper into my characters, I cannot help but notice that they stem from my family. Read more>>

Randy Whelmarc

Creative production manager for Prince Read more>>

Bianca Green

The most meaningful project I’ve had the pleasure to work on is currently underway, “Beads, Braids & Barrettes.” It is a short documentary that focuses on Black hairstyles and accessories from girlhood to adulthood and its impact on self-image, confidence, and identity as we maneuver through the world of different careers and professions. Read more>>

Kirsten Stoner

I’ve worked on many meaningful projects over my career, including a children’s book series commissioned by one of my followers called “The Adventures of Edelbe”. Read more>>

Ke Liu

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is an experimental documentary, “Never Fear, And You Will Be Lucky.” It has been shown in many galleries and exhibitions in China and is now streaming exclusively on CathayPlay (https://www.cathayplay.com/en/never-fear-and-you-will-be-lucky). Read more>>

Jennifer Merz

Perhaps my most meaningful project was writing and illustrating a picture book on American trailblazer Frances Perkins. Although she is not as widely known as she should be, she was the first woman ever to serve in a U.S. Presidential Cabinet (the Secretary of Labor under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Read more>>

Brenda Perlin

Publishing punk anthologies are my most meaningful project. Several years ago I put out a memoir (Burnt Promises AKA Home Wrecker) without much fanfare but I learned a lot through the process and later went back to my punk roots and started writing the stories that were in my head from over forth years! Read more>>

Laura Orsolini

The first ten years of my professional activity as a freelance illustrator were devoted to a variety of collaborations with magazines and advertising agencies. Read more>>

Shannon Maillet

The most meaningful project I have worked on was the first book trailer that I created, for Tide of Darkness by Amarah Calderini, That particular trailer eventually led to the development of Emerald Frost Design. Read more>>

Torrance (Ammbaataa, DJ Ammbush) Scott

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on was Instant Vintage by Raphael Saadiq. My friends that went by the production team name Jake & the Phatman produced on the Lucy Pearl album (Raphael Saadiq, Dawn Robinson, Ali Shaheed Muhammad). Read more>>

Grant Varner

This band is hands down the most meaningful project I’ve ever done and it’s been such a life investment. I’ve always gone into it with the mentality that I would like to be someone that my younger self needed as his hero. Read more>>

Amalie Jahn

Each of my projects hold special meaning to me, so trying to chose one to highlight is a bit like choosing a favorite child. I wrote all of my books in response to trauma–death, grief, PTSD, and the like–but the most meaningful project was probably Phoebe Unfired. Read more>>

Jules!

I began composing music for children in 2014 when my first nephew was born. I knew I wanted to create songs for him that would teach about kindness, empathy, how to manage tough emotions, and the importance of accepting others. Read more>>

Emma Pion-Berlin

I’ve worked on many meaningful projects, but one of my favorites was one I produced recently. In April, I collaborated with an organization called Parents Anonymous and partnered with a marketing agency named Actum to develop a remarkable project. Read more>>

Jess Silfa

I come from a big Caribbean family where no one has a credit score, there aren’t any paper trails, and folks aren’t called by their government name. Read more>>

Caroline DeMay

One of my most meaningful projects was a photojournalism piece I did for Bloomberg Weekly titled “What Happens to Mardi Gras Beads After the Parade.” This assignment emerged during my very first portfolio review. Read more>>

Megan Dally

The most Meaningful project I have worked on, is a series that I am currently still creating. I found a gratitude practice in painting an outline of something in my life, and filling it with fruit. Read more>>

Leda Obergh

The most meaningful project to date that u have worked on is my latest short film which is still being edited at the moment. The title is Blackout Dream and it tells the story of Maya, a college student who keeps repeating the same night incident where she’’s assaulted, she tries to get out by following the broken lapses of her memory and fighting the attacker. Read more>>

Lily Pearsall

Oh I love starting with meaning! That’s why I got into the art world in the first place. I’ve worked as a museum curator, in academia, and in fine art galleries, but what has brought the deepest meaning to my work is teaching and coaching through The Curatorial Method. Read more>>

RaDean Mynatt

I am currently doing a series titled “True Women” that I consider to be the most meaningful work I’ve done. My first piece is a portrait of “Pretty Nose”. Read more>>

Micah Christensen

Ive always wanted to tell a story with my music. So when I started miicah, I wanted to tell a story that will help 1. me understand myself better and learn new lessons and 2. Read more>>

Elizabeth Gravelle

The most meaningful moment in my career so far has been working with over 20 local artists. When I started Flex Machine, I knew I wanted to sell local art, promote the artists, give them a spotlight to showcase their talents, and provide a place to sell their art beyond the weekend craft fair. Read more>>

Melia Hudgin

My most meaningful project would be the one I’m currently working on! I’m working with a couple different producers for this album (shoutout Lottoz) and we’ve started creating demos for my debut album which will be a mix of electronic songs that have a similar vibe. Read more>>

Kyle Cook

As it goes, the three of us have all worked on many musical projects. Beginning most of our careers as young teenagers, we’ve all developed many skills and preferences when it comes to our personal creative tastes and work flow. Read more>>

Tia Ja’nae

One of the most meaningful project I’ve worked on was writing my debut novel ‘Ghosts On The Block Never Sleep’, which was a political noir that dove into the undercurrent of East Side of Chicago and the outfall of automation, outsourcing, and elimination of blue collar employment with its residents. Read more>>

Gary John Miller

The most meaningful currently is my solo show that I will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. The show is called Goof and it’s a coming of age story about not really feeling like I’ve ever come of age. Read more>>

Nevada McPherson

The Eucalyptus Lane series of novels is the most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far. While spending time in Palo Alto many years ago, I got the idea for it on an evening walk in the neighborhood that would later become the Eucalyptus Lane of the stories. Read more>>

Kelly McAllister

I wrote Last Call, my first full length play, in NYC shortly after 9/11. I was a starving actor at the time, working two jobs because my fiancée had been diagnosed with cancer and we had no insurance. Read more>>

Shreya Paliwal

The Backstory and Context As a Product Experience Designer at Happy Reliable Surgeries Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based firm specializing in image-guided surgical navigation solutions, I had the opportunity to work on a truly challenging and innovative project—designing the Infinity. Read more>>

Sobrina Taylor

My most meaningful project to date has been assisting Guitarist Garry Percell promote his latest single, “Going In Circles.” I learned a year ago about Garry’s intent to secure the phenomenal R&B Singer Tony Terry (known for hits like “With You”…”Everlasting Love”… and “Lovey Dovey. Read more>>

Cheyenne Gray

Although it has been many moons since I wrote my first ghostwriting project, it will forever be my most meaningful work. I was born a storyteller. Read more>>

Rosalilia Mendoza

It is always meaningful to work with community: to share a vision and make it happen. In a capitalistic world, we are taught that you have to be the best and to succeed you must compete and win. Read more>>