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.

Marcos Luis

We are the sum of all of our life experiences, and with this, we are learned.. By sharing these experiences we teach. The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my ongoing podcast. Each episode I start off by saying “I have questions” ,and I do. It is a time of discovery, conversation, and sharing information. Whether I am solo on the microphone or talking to a guest about a variety of topics including how we make ourselves whole, make the World a better place, or sharing life lessons through personal journeys to inspire and motivate my listener’s daily through inspirational journeys and destigmatize conversations about Mental Health Awareness. Read more>>

Bula Barua

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was a commission for Mr. Tadashi Yanai, Japan’s richest billionaire and the CEO of Uniqlo. This project was incredibly significant to me for several reasons. Firstly, the collaborative process was unique and inspiring. I worked closely with his partner to create a vision for the artwork that held deep meaning and significance. Every element of the painting was thoughtfully chosen.  Read more>>

Voluntary Hazing

Our most meaningful project is definitely our album that just came out on July 19. It’s called “Addictive Little Sounds,” and it’s our first full-length record. The ~addictive little sounds~ in question are the notifications of one’s smartphone. The loose concept of the album is how those little computers in our pockets affect our anxieties and influence how we operate outside of our phones. For example, “Pretty Boys” (which has the album title lyric) explores the self-commodification brought on by dating apps.  Read more>>

Daniel Jude

I have 3 meaningful projects that I’d like to highlight! One would be the 1st time I performed in NYC during fashion week for Potro’s fashion runway show. I had to prepare 2 original tracks to be perfectly timed with the fashion presentation. I definitely grew as an artist playing in front of a sold out Sony Hall. Read more>>

Kaylee Hennessey

The first art fair I participated in with Abigail Ogilvy Gallery was in New York in the fall of 2021. SPRING/BREAK, an artist-centric, curatorial fair, operates each year with a specific theme that is often accompanied by a list of required reading, listening, and viewing. Abigail and I worked together on this presentation and it was a pivotal moment in my understanding of what gallery representation can be for an artist. Read more>>

Jonathan Bogner

When I was in the hospital getting my heart transplant, I came to the realization that everyone had their own story, and my story happened 16 years ago when I came back from selling my movie at Sundance and had two strokes, heart failure, and aphasia (can’t speak). The Cardiologist was telling my wife, “he needs a heart transplant.” But I was 45 years old then, and most transplants lasted between 10 and 15 years. I was not ready. Read more>>

Janie France’s

After years of singing with other bands, I finally found the right fit. I was a Music major at Texas Christian University (TCU), singing opera and classical music all day. After college, I went into the corporate world, but still sang classical music on the weekends at a Catholic church for extra money and to keep music in my life. I realized I had no creative license in that role, so went back to my day job and took a break from singing for a few years.  Read more>>

Edward Acosta

Throughout my career as a visual artist, I have had the privilege of working on numerous impactful projects. Among these, I’ve had the opportunity to showcase my original works in multi-million dollar real estate in New York City and collaborate with major fashion and luxury brands on art installations for product activations. Read more>>

Pok Kwan Chiu

The most comfortable and proud aspect of my art creation is my interaction with people because I feel like art comes down to people, whether it’s making it or appreciating it, so being able to incorporate the element of humans is essential in my art. By that, I’m referring to my skills and way of interacting with people during the photo shoot. Read more>>

Natasha Remi

I’ve been transitioning into writing more music about the individual journey of growth and self-discovery. My first song in this new subject is called “Soul Speak” and was released about a year ago. Since around that same time, I’d been trying to write another song called “Mirror.” After multiple attempts over the course of the last 12 months, the song finally came to me at 2 a.m. while I was struggling to fall asleep. Read more>>

Ryan Wilcox

As a writer and editorial portrait photographer, I have a front-row seat to watch people pursue their dreams. They each have a unique story. It’s a joy to spearhead creative projects from concept to final delivery. My work includes the stories of entrepreneurs, artists, business executives, and nonprofits. My most personally meaningful project is storytelling work for Fatima Morken, a professional singer, model, and actress.  Read more>>

Michele Bledsoe

Since early childhood I have always loved to draw. Inspired by the beautifully illustrated children’s books I grew up with, I knew at a very young age that I had found my true calling. To unleash my imagination and capture all the wondrous imagery I found there was all I ever wanted to do. Read more>>

Will Lovell

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on in regard to my musical background is the completion of my first album. For many years of my life, it has been a dream to see music that I have written on streaming platforms/CDs. When selecting a college to attend four years ago, I wanted to go somewhere that would give me the opportunity to not only improve as a songwriter, but also provide the opportunity to record the songs I write. Read more>>

Kailin Brown

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been the Chicago National Tour from 2023 to 2024. I had the honour of getting to play Velma Kelly this past year on tour and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The Fosse style was always intriguing to me growing up, especially because I had a typical “ballet body” but very little of the natural technique to back it up. Read more>>

Valentina Grandesso

Here’s a friendlier and more coherent version of your passage: As a wellness and sustainability copywriter, one of my favorite projects was working with one of my very first clients: a holistic health platform for healers. Imagine it as the Airbnb for holistic healing services. Read more>>

Jenna Carter

The most meaningful project I have worked on is the one I am currently focused on, which is building my platform on YouTube within the visual artist niche. I create videos that visually capture my conceptual vision as an artist while I display my painting process; and simultaneously inspiring other artists to utilize their unique, personal creative gifts. Read more>>

Subin Park

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on in my design career so far is “Clutch.” Clutch is a mental fitness app and online community targeting teenage athletes. Many teenagers hesitate to discuss their mental health issues because they worry about being judged based on their athletic performance. Read more>>

Louie Pello

Dropping Purple Static was a defining moment for me as an Artist . Seeing it on Spotify and all the other major streaming platforms was really cool. It had been a dream for so long so seeing it come to fruition was special Read more>>

Vicente Magana

At Motivo, we’re faced with a variety of challenges from different industries and scales, each bringing its own significance and unique lessons. Working on everything from e-VTOLs to broccoli transplanters and autonomous-electric tractors not only sharpens our technical skills but also strengthens our team. Read more>>

Darryl Dwayne Walker

I would say the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on would be the vetting and founding of our first ever Community Advisory Board Committee for The Newark Museum of Art. The cultivation of this board continues to keep us in lock and step with the community’s needs and allows us to truly be a community resource. Read more>>

Vita Solzberg

May I start with two short stories? Once, a young colleague who was also a friend of mine asked me to explain the meaning and purpose of life. Fifteen years later, I sometimes find myself reconsidering my answer. Yet, it remains the same. I believe we just happened. There was no plan or purpose. And we are still happening. We are not finished yet, and we never will be. It is us who make changes to this Universe; it has no other hands. Read more>>

Jamiyl Samuels

The most meaningful project I have worked on to date is my adult book entitled “Speak II Me: A Black Father’s Journey Raising a Son on the Autism Spectrum”. This book speaks of my wife Tracy-Ann and my journey raising our son Trey who was on the autism spectrum. I did not know what autism was or the signs at the time. Because he was our first born, I had this vision of my boy being my heir and carrying on my legacy. Read more>>

Karen Burns

The most meaningful project of mine was writing an autobiographical solo show, An Otherwise Magical Life. In 2018, the serial killer who tried to ruin me in 1979 was finally arrested, and I finally started talking about it. I’d kept that memory, along with the all of the trials I’ve faced since birth so deeply buried I’d almost forgotten they were still part of me. Read more>>

Max Berlin

Glad you asked! I’m thrilled to announce an upcoming concert work, “HYSTERIA,” choreographed by Leah Zeiger and co-composed by Adam Schwartz. This 30-minute work features a powerhouse trio of dancers and an electronic score by yours truly. To honor Leah’s vision, we had to tackle an out-of-the-box compositional process and the result is beautiful chaos. Read more>>

VNIX

The most meaningful project of mine to date will be my forthcoming autobiographical album, “Chrysalis”. This album deeply explores my experiences growing up as a scapegoated child subjected to narcissistic family abuse. Other themes on this album that I reflect upon are identity, existential crises, morality, sexuality, mental health, poverty, disabilities, and the state of the world. Read more>>

Sondy Lucille

As a filmmaker, I’ve had the privilege to create and participate in many exciting and moving projects. However, the project that stands out as the most meaningful in my career is the film, Dear Watsonville. This mixed media documentary explores the rich history and enduring spirit of the manong generation—the first wave of Filipino migrants to the U.S.—through the tender recollections of their descendants in Watsonville, CA. Read more>>

Yao Dong

The most meaningful project to me personally is my experimental video work “YeYeBei,” which is about 13 minutes long. Currently, there is an initial version of this video, but I think it will take me another year or two to truly complete it. This project is very important to me. The title of the video in Chinese means “Grandpa, carry me,” which is something I often said to my grandfather during my childhood. Read more>>

Shy Company

The most meaningful project we’ve worked on is undoubtedly our debut album, “Growing Pains.” This album is a culmination of years of hard work, personal growth, and musical evolution. The first single from the album, also titled “Growing Pains,” holds a special place in our hearts because it encapsulates the essence of our journey as a band and as individuals. Read more>>

Kalyn Elizabeth Wood

The most meaningful project would have to be one that I made, which is in one part why it is so meaningful. My short film ‘Screaming Silence’, has taught me the most and has given me a new found confidence in both acting and filmmaking. The main thing that I’m known for so far in my career is acting, but in the last six months, I inadvertently became a professional filmmaker. Read more>>

Josh LaCount

Every project has been meaningful to me in some way because each one teaches me something new and sets the stage for what’s next. But if I had to pick the most meaningful one, it would be my latest feature film, Melody Next Door. It’s my first feature, and I threw everything I love about movies into it—nostalgia, time travel, heartfelt moments, and fantastical elements of adventure. Read more>>

Jim Francis Meza

One of the most meaningful projects has definitely got to be Radio podcasting. I come from a family of musicians and recently we found out through genealogy, that dad is actually related to Maria Felix Mexicos’ Golden Age darling. Its unequivocally clear that my passion for the arts specifically acting has something to do with my lineage. I find that all roads in my life undeniably lead to acting for the better part of my existence. Read more>>

Meredith Yinger

After four and a half years of blood, sweat, and tears, I have finally premiered my first feature documentary called Scars Unseen – which is a ‘triumph of the human spirit’ documentary following three women who have overcome domestic violence and are paying it forward. Instead of focusing on the gory details or glamorizing the abuser, this film highlights the resiliency of these women and encourages us all to be more trauma informed. Read more>>

Samantha Ryan

My most meaningful project is my debut novel, “Pride”, set for release February 4, 2025. “Pride” is a queer, modern retelling of “Pride and Prejudice”. This book is the culmination of decades of writing and rejection. I queried my first novel in college and after making every mistake possible, I gave up on writing for years. After working in the publishing industry, I remembered why I fell in love with writing in the first place and picked it back up post-pandemic. Read more>>