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.

Gin

I think all the albums I released and every song I do is meaningful. Each album has a story to it. For example, my first album Spiritual Bars was about Spiritual Growth and Development. It was like I found my calling in doing music as an artist. My second album self titled GIN was released during the pandemic. One of the singles is titled “Lockdown” and reflects on what was going on during that time. Another single “Welcome to LA” released from that album talks about the beauty of LA. My first two albums were mostly hip-hop and trap. My third album titled Birds of Feather was released in 2022 and is a mix of Hip-hop and Amapiano. Read more>>

Corporal Quigg

I personally believe the new project I’m currently working on “Amor Fati” is my most meaningful and impactful album I’ll have in me. The album comes after years of grinding live shows and hearing the good and the bad of folks thoughts on my music and live shows. The album also feels like a cohesive piece and there are no tracks that sound out of place. The name stems from Nietzsche and stands for “a love of fate.” That one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it but love it! Thi is how i feel now about my work. I will continue to do what feels right for myself and my music regardless of how anyone feels. It’s been a long time coming (3 years and counting) I’ve poured a lot of work and thought into the recording of this one too. “Amor Fati” will be out in 2025. Read more>>

Sam Gucwa

For the last year I’ve been working on ‘Legacies Whisper,’ a celebration of the accomplishments and contributions Miles Davis’ romantic partners made on the jazz industry. I was a bookworm as a kid, so when directors and band mates acted out of sexism towards me, I tried to cope by reading the biographies of famous jazz musicians. Most of them, though, also have problematic histories of abuse and misogyny. Jazz books tend to present the women in these stories as victims of abuse without their own stories, and I knew this wasn’t accurate. I researched all the women Miles Davis names in his autobiography and found that many of them were artists, social critics, performers, and huge influences on Davis’ music. Read more>>

Nine Zhao

My personal sketchbook project is one of the most meaningful things I’ve taken on. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve started carrying my sketchbook everywhere—whether I’m traveling, hanging out at friends’ places, or just visiting parks, restaurants, and bars. Sketching has helped me with my creative process. A lot of my inspirations and emotions, even the sensitive ones, end up on those pages. This project has made me more mindful of the world around me. Read more>>

Andreea Balaoiu

During my 2 years of creative career and counting, I have explored and experienced a plethora of themes and scenarios, which helped me mould myself into the dark feminine visual performer that defines my current artistic style. I would say, my most meaningful work to date coincides with my discovery of Finland as my creative and emotional haven. I have forged intense and meaningful bonds with many a Finnish creator and I have created some of my best works in Finland. Some of the most notable ones are my works with photographers Tommi Viitala, Jukka Vehmas, Kristian Tilander, Nadi Hammouda, Timo Keisala and Ivan Bessedin. Read more>>

Alvaro Alvarez

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is “46 Renacimientos.” This initiative is special to me because it originates from my own vision, rather than being a response to an external request. It reflects a deep commitment to narrate the story of the Baja California coast phenomena, and it has been a decade in the making. My journey on this project began in 2013 when I interned with my grandfather, Luis Bustamante, in Tijuana, Mexico. My task was to document forty-six buildings that were abandoned midway through construction along a 90-mile stretch of beach highway from the San Diego border to Ensenada. As an architecture student, I found the research aspect stimulating and insightful, culminating in a publication by Cornell’s Medium. Read more>>

Mark Condello, Brandon Ploskina, Michael Hodge, Jeff Worrall, Jake Colavincenzo

Our current project, Ferocious Ghosts, is absolutely the most meaningful project we’ve worked on. We have all played in numerous musical projects, some together, some separately. In the past, there was always an ulterior goal aside from the project itself. Those times came to a natural end and we all were pretty burned out. Everything started with a couple old friends reconnecting and messing around with some songs. Next thing we know, we’re having a lot of fun and calling other friend, and then more until we got to where we are.  Read more>>

Jenee Priebe

As we are about to launch the 10th anniversary of the SHINE Mural Festival, it’s definitely one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on. SHINE started in 2015 and although I wasn’t part of the event that first year, I was able to experience it as a community member and was completely blown away by the art, the event, the brand, everything about it. It’s been an incredible journey from that moment until today. I really wanted the 10th anniversary of SHINE to be extra special. The city has changed so much in the last ten years, it feels like a huge accomplishment to still be able to produce this event, especially when so many other events have come to an end in recent years. Read more>>

Abigail Boylen

My current body of work “Discography: A Visual Exploration of Music” explores my synesthetic experience with music. Synesthesia is a psychological phenomenon where two senses are crossed. In my case, I experience a cross between color and sound. My experience is specifically triggered by music, so while I listen I can see colors and shapes. This project has been meaningful to me because music was my first introduction to the arts. It has always been a consistent part of my life and I often associate my taste in music with the stage of life I am in. When I am creating artwork for this body, I feel vulnerable, but in a very open way. It’s welcoming and joyful to be able to share this part of my life. Read more>>

Emily Kennedy

My most meaningful project was a concert I curated titled From Gershwin to Sondheim: Celebrating Jewish Broadway Composers. For this project I chose music composed by notable Broadway Composers which I played on my trumpet with piano accompaniment. I graduated from Broward College in Florida in 2020. Then, in 2024, I graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Florida with a B.A. in Music, Instrumental Performance. My passion is to play and compose music that inspires. After graduation, I did an apprenticeship with a former music professor from Broward College, Myrna Meeroff. In the apprenticeship, I was a guest artist musician in Ms. Meeroff’s concerts of the South Florida Chamber Ensemble. Read more>>

Jennifer Peterkin

A year and a half ago I launched my podcast, The Human Experience. It’s a project that is made up of pieces of my heart and soul and having the courage to finally press the “publish” button was its own accomplishment. The Human Experience is years in the making as it was born out of two very different, but very important experiences in my own life. Growing up, I was lucky enough to have nearly all my grandparents alive and well. It’s only been recently, in adulthood, that I’ve started to lose them. Two of my grandfathers were wonderful storytellers. They couldn’t have been more different from one another, one was a first-generation Italian-American growing up in South Philadelphia during a time when the mob was a very real and very visible entity in the city. Read more>>

Renee Canetta

My first solo exhibition The Anatomical Jewel that is on view at HighLow Cafe in St. Louis through October 12th 2024, holds a special place in my heart. I have spent years creating this singular body of work to express womanhood in today’s world. This became a commentary on what it means to navigate current societal struggles while attempting to unweave our systemic and continued oppression. I expressed this story with various sculptures made from clay, plaster, epoxy, and bespoke beading. Read more>>

Rebecca Darling

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is definitely with the creative force known as “Olive Dares the Darkness”. When I lived in the Virgin Islands my band had my name’s stamp on it: The Becca Darling Band. This was a mistake, because no one in the band took ownership of the project. Furthermore, it meant that I was alone on an island for writing and fleshing out ideas. I have always a had a bit of an edge in regards to my musical tastes. While I enjoy jazz, rap, classical, hip hop and other genres, something resonated with me when I listened to bands like Tool and Nine Inch Nails. At the same time, I was going to though a Tori Amos and Cecelia Bartoli phase! I wanted desperately to make music that was more aligned with the post-punk industrial sound. I knew this involved working with sequencers, synthesizers, and vast knowledge of specific music programs. Read more>>

Myja Lark

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my ‘SoftHer’ painting series. The idea for ‘SoftHer’ was born from my desire to challenge the rigid stereotypes about Black women often seen in media and society. Black women are frequently depicted as strong and resilient, but rarely as soft, vulnerable, or graceful. I wanted to create a visual narrative that redefines and embraces the full complexity of our experiences, showcasing softness without diminishing strength. The inspiration for ‘SoftHer’ came during a period when I was navigating personal and professional challenges. I realized that the expectations placed on me—both as a woman and as a Black woman—were often to be invincible, even when I longed to express tenderness and vulnerability. The series began as a way for me to reclaim these aspects of my identity and to share them with others. Read more>>

Nisha Coleman

I have produced stories for a number of organizations, from local storytelling series to international partnerships, including with the World Health Organization, and the feeling is always the same: intimate, authentic, life-altering. Telling a personal story takes tremendous courage, and helping people navigate their anxieties around being vulnerable is often a first step in the process of story producing. Next comes the gruelling work of crafting the story—digging into memories, selecting the relevant details, the narrative threads, recurring themes and discovering the meaning behind the story. It is always humbling to accompany people through these stages, encouraging them to take risks and watching the story transform until it is finally performed. That last step is important. It’s when the alchemy happens. A storyteller is changed by telling their story, and so is their audience. Being a witness to this process is incredibly fulfilling. Read more>>

Doreen Dawson

I’ve been blessed to have worked on multiple meaningful projects in my years in theatre, and because I tend to throw myself into each production, the most current one always feels the most meaningful. I am presently in the midst of rehearsals for GOOD PEOPLE, by David Lindsay-Abaire, serving as actor and co-producer, for iambe theatre ensemble. I have admired this script for some time, and have been itching to play this role. The initial attraction for me was the sharp, witty, often hilarious dialogue, and the well-drawn, realistic characters who all face their own moral dilemmas. Beneath all the comedy, though, are serious themes regarding the struggles to climb out of poverty, class divide, feeling left behind, and questions of how much luck is involved in a person’s fate. Read more>>

Galina Slavova

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the documentary film I’m currently producing about breast cancer. This project is especially significant to me because I have been personally affected by the disease. I’ve witnessed the impact it can have on loved ones, and it’s profoundly shaped my perspective on life and resilience. Through this documentary, I aim to shed light on the experiences of those affected by breast cancer—sharing their stories of strength, hope, and the challenges they face. I believe in the power of storytelling to foster understanding and support for those battling the disease. This project has become a way for me to honor those I’ve lost and empower others, making it the most meaningful work I’ve ever undertaken. Read more>>

Red Morrow

The most meaningful project we’ve worked on thus far would have to be our debut album, “Instigator of Unexpected Change”, which we released this past spring. Since we spent four years putting this thing together, we naturally became extremely attached to the material; we took a lot of risks in terms of stylistic diversity, in addition to tackling some pretty unorthodox structures/arrangements. We even had an orchestral accompaniment for one of the songs, making it the perfect candidate for our first music video (the set for which we, along with our director, built in our backyard, then reassembled in the desert!). Read more>>

Micah Tsekiri

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on. Brilliant question. I feel that almost every project I have worked on so far has had a profound meaning for me. This ranges from my work with 4Deuce Films on the Daniel Glenn-Barbour directed feature film “Ain’t Hidin Nuttin’ to the upcoming web series “Making A Short”; separately, to the indie comedy and crime drama, Curzon and BFI-screened shorts, “Bad Apples” and “Four Wings”, respectively. Each speaks on the complexity of friendship and how conflicts of interest affect our relationships. However, the one which is the most meaningful for me, thus far, is a feature film I am currently working on: Dallada Films’ “Boy Soul Man Heart” – written and directed by Marie-Eva Volmar. Read more>>

Mandee Sharp

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was for my best friend’s family. I’ve known Janet and Myron for almost 20 years, and they’ve become like family to me. When they approached me about remodeling their kitchen, I felt incredibly honored that they trusted me with such an important task. What made it truly special was the unique set of challenges we needed to address. They have two incredible boys with Down syndrome, who are just the sweetest, most hilarious kids. Both of them love to cook and bake, and Janet has faced her own health challenges as well, so we needed to design a space that was not only functional but also safe and accessible for everyone in the family. Read more>>

Laci Fowler

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve gotten to work on has been creating book covers for Harper Collins. There are twelve covers currently— all classic titles, like Little Women and Jane Eyre. I love books. Children’s books and biographies, fiction and nonfiction. To play an artistic role in the literary community is something I’ll never quite get over. And I’ll never stop publicly thanking Kate Armstrong. Read more>>

Katherine Bennett

To me, the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is definitely my Suppression line. These necklaces are a way for me to express the internal struggle I’ve faced with expressing myself. It’s about that feeling of being silenced, of having your voice taken away. The bullet casings represent the trauma that can suppress our emotions, while the lips symbolize communication and vulnerability. It’s a constant battle between wanting to connect with others and being afraid to let them see the real you. I’ve struggled with this myself, and I think a lot of people can relate. It’s like you’re always wearing a mask, afraid to show your true self. Creating this line has been incredibly therapeutic for me. It’s helped me process my own experiences and hopefully connect with others who feel the same way. Read more>>

Karmelina Moore

As of right now, I just finished filming a sizzle reel for a book adaptation. For almost two years I have been working closely with the authors and have adapted Clancy Nacht and Thursday Euclid’s “Black Gold” into a 1980s musical soap opera. Sounds pretty out there, right? But, I feel like it works with the story and offers something eclectic. This project is meaningful to me because it is something that I have put a substantial amount of time into, and is a story that I feel will connect with many people. I began as an admirer of the novel, and to be able to potentially turn it into a television series is amazing! Read more>>

Rachel Lipko

My most meaningful project has been the creation of my site, WheninProvenceBlog.com. When my partner and I decided to spend part of our year in Provence, France, we found ourselves exploring lesser-known pockets of the region and discovering events and activities that weren’t widely publicized. We’d go to a wine tasting in one little village and find a small flier at the winery for an event over the weekend in a neighboring small town. And so, we’d find ourselves going to these very small, off the tourist path events and really feeling as though we were amongst locals. Read more>>

Larry Lambert

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was all the projects I did for myself. I started in the game wanting to create by adding my approach and hearing others approach to music. I started working and putting my own music out when I was 21. Focusing on that helped shape my career path personally for me. Read more>>

Angela Wei

One of the most meaningful projects I worked on was being the lead designer of 30 billboards for Vice Media to advertise Investigation Night, a programming block on VICE TV that focuses on untold true crime stories. As one of my first major design projects, it was exciting to be entrusted with bringing the essence of the shows to life visually. I was tasked with translating the suspense, intrigue realism of the shows into bold and captivating imagery that could resonate with a diverse audience in major cities across the U.S. Read more>>

Megan Colburn

The most meaningful Project I have worked on is for sure Max’s Nasty Town. When we first started doing shows as Ballview, our Production Company, David Dickens, the founder of Ballview Entertainment, he asked me to direct and help create a show called Max’s Nasty town. This was followed up with another show I directed called Rat F*** Manor, also a collaborative project. This all came to head with the Third installment, Max’s Nasty Town. A 6 1/2 hour fully immersive set of 14 shows that took place across three theaters businesses, and public areas in the north Hollywood arts District. That followed the lives of North Hollywood Characters as they prepared for the election for the First Mayor of North Hollywood. Read more>>

Matt Zambrano

2020 was shaping up to be my year. In the beginning of February, I had traveled to L.A. to pitch a movie script that the studio decided to go forward with. My theater company had just begun rehearsals at a major Off-Broadway Theater, and in the summer I was headed to Edinburgh to perform a solo show I had created at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. All in all, things were looking grand in the horizon. Of course we all know what happened next… Read more>>

Zay

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my latest album Potential. After 1 full year of doing shows and competitions. I dropped a new album with a feature on each track and each artist featured was from my hometown. It was a personal collaborative album for me and explored so many sounds and emotions. Read more>>

Vincent Farone

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on was probably documenting my high school classmate’s farm and family. This was my first photo project centered around real experience and documentation vs creating a narrative/constructing a scene. This project opened up the idea of using photography to document what I feel will have an impactful outcome-whether that’s for the people being photographed, the viewers of the work, or both. Seeing someone’s experience through the process of photography felt so powerful to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing this family’s farm and routine as an observer. Not only was the family able to personally cherish the imagery, but I was able to experience a very unique perspective. Read more>>

Hyten Davidson

My most recent project, a psychological thriller feature I co-wrote, co-produced, and star in titled “Something of a Monster” has been without a doubt the most meaningful project I’ve ever been a part of. In gearing up for production, our team set a February 2024 shooting schedule, which would put me three months postpartum with a newborn son. Leading up to the shoot and still recovering from surgery, I was incredibly concerned that I wouldn’t be able to deliver at a professional level and feared that I would only drag the production down. Read more>>

Maryjo Rosania-harvie

I worked on a two year collaboration with CITYarts’ 50 States of Peace initiative. CITYarts’ Pieces for Peace Exhibition of artwork from youth around the world, traveled to the Pati Eiffe gallery at Moravian University where it as celebrated with over 100 works created in workshops with students from the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD). In collaboration with the school district, student artwork was displayed in the Eiffe Gallery and we held a reception for the public, the students and families. The over 100 artworks then travelled to the Bethlehem Area Public Library for a month-long exhibition. Read more>>

Ric Hordinski

I’ve been very lucky in my life and career to have worked with so many lovely people, most of whom have become (often life-long) friends. I’d say that nine times out of ten, the most meaningful project is the one I’m currently working on. I don’t really know another way to do this kind of work well. Of course, not everything we do will be amazing, but I find that as i’ve gotten more experience I’ve learned to find a way “inside” of almost any kind of thing. Whether it be a client asking me to play in a style that isn’t really “me” or making production or choices that I’d find off-putting. Read more>>

Josiah Hagblom

The most meaningful project we’ve worked on is our debut album we’re working on right now. The whole album concept is telling our story, bringing up women safety, talking about sexual assault and other things around those lines, and also bringing up our faith. We will be releasing a new single of our album soon called you open my eyes to hate Ft:Christian O’Neal. This song means the world to us $iah talked about the times he’s been sexually assaulted and other things around those lines (if you know what I mean). This song is genuinely there to help anybody that has ever felt that pain. We say this with much love in our hearts we are so excited to get this music to all of you! This truly means the world to us. Read more>>

Marilena Patouni

One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on was the redesign of Assouline’s global website and the launch of a new site for the APAC region. This initiative went beyond a simple aesthetic update; it was a comprehensive transformation aimed at enhancing the brand’s digital presence. The challenge was to ensure the new design authentically embodied Assouline’s luxurious identity while delivering a seamless, immersive user experience that resonated with diverse audiences worldwide. My role included optimizing design elements of the site, creating dedicated pages for major product launches, and ensuring all aspects of the site were not only visually stunning but also functionally intuitive. Read more>>

Estefania Kröl

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to engage in meaningful projects within the music and art scenes, collaborating with talented individuals who inspire me to push the boundaries of creativity. As a millennial navigating the complexities of life in 2024, I often find myself grappling with anxiety and the pressures of modern existence. I cherish opportunities to share knowledge and learn from others, as I believe our unique backgrounds shape our perspectives and allow us to express complex emotions through art. Read more>>

Miist

My new worldwide initiative of important songs. My motto is, ‘Meaningful songs for a difficult world.’. Since my first album and songs have received so much attention including multiple Top 30 Billboard hits and global music awards I wanted to go back to my first love of writing important songs that stir people to act. The first song of this series is called, “Could You Lend Me a Smile”. It is about the epidemic of loneliness that is so pervasive now. We are the most connected and most lonely in our history. The song tells a true story of a man who was only 20 years old when he died, alone in his apartment in Tokyo. His neighbors didn’t find him for months. In the song I ask the question to all of us, ‘What if he had just received a few smiles? Would his life have ended differently? There are so many simple things that we each can do to make our world better. I hope my songs can contribute to this. Read more>>

Arianna Shaprow

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on was poetry honoring the sacrifices of my ancestors for two museums in Mississippi, the state where my ancestors were slaves for almost a century. These poems explored the racial and social dynamics of the Deep South in the early and mid twentieth century. I delved into themes, such as discrimination and inequality. Through a combination of talking to relatives and research, I was able to understand these issues more deeply. Even after slavery was abolished, my ancestors worked as sharecroppers on cotton plantations in Mississippi. Due to the long work days and financial pressure, my great grandparents didn’t make it past the eighth grade. Read more>>