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.
Red Martinez
So i just dropped a project called “Rojito” which is something i put together from my discography throughout the years. Initially i had a EP come out in 2019 but i took it down because i didnt feel like i could promote it with visuals I had in mind and push it on social media at the time. So i took it down and reuploaded a few years later with some new songs but then took it down again because i had the same feeling unfortunately. But i went in the studio and re recorded some songs, took some from the vault i sat on & grabbed some remixes that i never released and boom i have a LP! Meanwhile i’m currently recording a whole new album but in the process I had a couple songs left over that I thought might fit this project. My nickname is Rojito which translates to (my Red or my little Red…as a term of endearment) I redid the project just like I redid myself so it was very meaningful. Read more>>
Bedford Towers
I would have to say the zines and photo books I’ve been able to self publish or publish alongside some really amazing zine publishers. I look at it as a musician releasing an album. When I found that posting on Instagram stopped bringing me any kind of creative satisfaction I was searching for other ways to put my work out and then I had the idea of publishing zines. Since then I have have the privilege of having my zines in bookstores all across a England and the United States and soon Australia and Japan, Working closely with small independent zine publishers and enthusiasts has opened my eyes to a sub culture of people who truly care about their community and the arts. Read more>>
Lunaa Maria
One thing that is important to me is to treat every project I do as the most meaningful. I am creating mi trajectoria in real life time, I am creating who and what I will be known for. Everything I do is meaningful to me from the smallest aspect as my outfit to the biggest which is what story do I want to put out there. Read more>>
Maya Rosalia
I’m incredibly excited for “Ghost of You” to be released! It’s a song that I wrote years ago, inspired by the loss of someone I loved. Recently, it resurfaced when I lost a family member this past year to FTD, so I felt it was fitting to dedicate this song to him, as well as to the family members who were close to him. “Ghost of You” is about loss and grief, but it also celebrates the moments shared with those we’ve lost. Read more>>
Still Davis
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the creation of my upcoming album. It’s deeply personal because it represents the culmination of years of growth, both as an artist and as a person. The journey behind this album started during one of the hardest periods of my life—where music became my refuge. The songs in this project reflect my battles, my joys, and the moments that shaped me. Read more>>
Dave Tarby
The focus of this project demonstrates the unique value of the artist’s skills (in working with his preferred material of spray foam), while delivering a strong message about the evolution of this country, evoking deep emotion and reflection from the viewer of this work. This mural is packed with extremely intricate detail, ranging from the frame replicating the back of a one dollar bill to the graphic assassination of President JFK, amongst many other details illustrated and sculpted into this masterpiece. The artist uses his mastery of spray foam to create his distinct and sometimes outlandish style of sculpture. Read more>>
Peyton Calhoon
The Summer of 2016, I started my first season with Summer Stock Austin (SSA). Summer Stock Austin is an acclaimed production and educational theatre company that produces high-quality musical theatre in Austin, Texas. It is an audition only based company, where high school and college-aged participants can apply as performers, technicians, and/or interns and work alongside industry professionals to put on a massive repertory season. All of this and its entirely free. Not a single person has to pay to be there. I had auditioned once or twice before, but was not accepted. I wanted it so bad. I wanted to be pushed and be surrounded by like-minded individuals. Read more>>
Xabier Iriondo
One of the meaningful projects in my path is called BUÑUEL, a rock band that involves an American singer (Eugene S. Robinson) and three Italian musicians. In these weeks will be released our fourth and most awaited album that will take us to perform on 2/3 continents during 2025. BUÑUEL was formed in 2016 and has made a trilogy of recordings (that mix the foundations of rock tradition deconstructing them and shaping a new metalanguage: our) that have led us to play live in Italy, Europe and Canada. Read more>>
Dyllan Stanczyk
I don’t know if I can nail it down to just one. I tend to do a lot of popculture related tattoos. I think with pop culture; or those who love to consume it, have a lot of positive nostalgia around certain characters. For me cartoons were a huge part of my childhood, and at times, an escape. That hasn’t really changed as an adult. I put it a lot of effort into my pieces to try and reactive the nostalgia with any given character. I want to try and tell a story utilizing images and colors. I love getting to share these moments with clients who hold their characters so close to heart. Read more>>
Shaneice Warfield
My most meaningful project has been creating my own platform/ brand named Orientation™. Orientation is an online platform (live interview and performance) that highlights and celebrates the newcomers to the Hip-Hop and R&B industry. Orientation is like a virtual backstage pass that grants access into the world of emerging talent. Through intimate interviews and candid conversations, Orientation explores the inspirations, challenges, and creative processes of hip-hop and R&B’s next generation of artists. From their humble beginnings to their aspirations for the future, Orientation gains insight into the stories behind the artists that are shaping the cultural landscape. Followed by a live-to-tape performance, Orientation is the destination for discovering the next big thing in hip-hop and R&B. Read more>>
Fabi Hurtado
I’m currently working on a four-year project documenting boxing, and it’s easily the most meaningful project I’ve taken on. I was lucky enough to get the chance to work with former Heavyweight World Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. when he was training with Canelo Alvarez, who’s widely considered “the face of boxing.” That opportunity opened doors for me, allowing me to work with some of the best boxers in the sport. Normally, you have to start at the bottom and hope to one day work with top-level athletes, but I found myself in that world on day one. Being around these big names helped boost my brand as a photographer, and I decided to use that momentum to shine a light on up-and-coming amateur boxers and kids who are just starting out or have been training for years. Read more>>
Mark Bernal
In the process of making my own comic book, I began helping other comic book creators get their work published. During that process, it became apparent that there are very few opportunities for aspiring comic book creators to find a supportive community to help them on their journey. So, as I built my publishing operation, I really focused on making a space where comic book creators feel welcome and where they can grow in their craft. Read more>>
Sid Daniels
Going way back to my life in New York City. I had just visited from Toronto, Canada in search of a place to move to as I wanted to live in New York permanently. The era was magical and transformative and it was the heyday of the Disco Era. A famous boutique “Fiorucci” located across the street on the corner of 59th and Lexington, was the place everyone wanted to be. It was known for being super trendy and it was the center of culture and entertainment. I wandered in one day with my portfolio. At that time, I was interested in fashion illustration and I was painting very large scale flamboyant paintings of women with hats and high heels. Read more>>
Racon Gunner
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is PsychScape, a tabletop role-playing game that blends my passion for storytelling, history, and art. What makes it truly special is the deeper purpose behind the game: to inspire young men by reconnecting them with the great figures who shaped Western Civilization. These aren’t just historical names—they’re examples of courage, leadership, and innovation, and through PsychScape, I wanted players to feel immersed in their legacies and understand how these men helped build the world we live in today. Read more>>
Troy Watson
The most meaningful project I work on was doing a recent collaboration with a upcoming clothing brand called sunnylover. For the collaboration we did two fashion photoshoot with two different models. It was a great opportunity to build up my portfolio for my photography business. Read more>>
Lauryn Savela
The most meaningful project I worked on is a play I has the opportunity to produce and act in back in June. This was a new play from Playwright Poli Olavarria titled “¡Someone ExtraordianriX!”. The play was directed by Ibsen Santos and also starred Poli Olavarria, Vincent Rame and Paige Hapeman. Poli and I produced the project together and it was a beautiful and stressful whirlwind. The play is about the immigration process to the U.S.A, a process that Poli and I have become very familiar with. The play is amazingly written, it is tremendously funny and also so touching and heartfelt. We had a very successful three day off-off broadway run back in June and we are set to produce it again in 2025. Read more>>
Mary Katlin Davis
My most meaningful project was my exhibit “Scars”. It was a project featuring fifteen pieces of black-and-white photography of subjects that suffered from mental, emotional, and physical scars. I documented their stories and shared them with the community. It was a healing experience for the subjects and onlookers. We had 250 attend! This project was important to me because it healed my trauma from when my husband suffered third-degree burns from an onsite work explosion. Below is my artist statement from the exhibit; Read more>>
Lisa Vanarsdale
I currently have a one woman show called “Lisa Joins A Cult.” Not technically stand up, but definitely comedy. I love to visit cults and it’s been a hobby of mine for years. I love to do it because 1. I love people and I love crazy, and I love experiencing groups of people who are together because of a common interest or belief. (This could run the gamut from a religious group to attendees at a convention to a nudist group) and 2. I was raised very religious, so it’s a constant unpacking and comparing and contrasting of what they’ve been told versus what I was told in my own religious upbringing and looking for the good in that while also practicing critical thinking. Read more>>
Daniel Sky
The project closest to my heart is Modern Bop, which I share with my dearest friends and fellow musicians. This endeavor holds great significance as it represents the next chapter in the evolution of jazz music. Jazz is a genre that is constantly evolving, allowing each generation and individual musician to leave their mark on it. While embracing the modern era, I am deeply committed to honoring the roots of this music and paying homage to the pioneers and legends who poured their lives, energy, and passion into elevating it. I aspire to follow in their footsteps and propel jazz to new heights. Read more>>
Dill Undervvood
The most meaningful project I have ever worked on was a short film called “THE BELLMAN.” It was the exact artistic vision behind a film I was looking for. Filmed on 16mm film, the aesthetic of locations, presentation of dialogue, coloring, lighting, etc. The perfect film. And the most meaningful part about it was the music it inspired in me. It really opened many doors for my artistic vision, and gave me avenues to venture down, from instruments, sounds, and even new ways to produce the music. It was everything I asked for. The places the film took me too also. Winning awards in American film festivals, but even taking my music across seas to Paris France where I also won an award. One of the greatest feelings. Read more>>
Connor Copeland
Probably the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my first short film made in New York, “Nice Knives”. I made it with my friends on a shoestring budget and we were surprised when it actually got into short film festivals and has given us a little bit of momentum in our careers. But outside of that, I was just proud to make something that felt unique to me. I felt I had created something with a strong sense of my own voice. Ultimately the most meaningful thing about it was that I had achieved some small part of my dream, to be a filmmaker and be seen by other artists as one. Read more>>
Richard Oliver Jr.
Throughout my career I have worked on a series of meaningful short film projects. Some addressing or dealing with many relatable social, love, relationship, family and political issues and topics ranging from Covid -19 “HERO”. Mental Illness “Alright. Family “My Mother”. To handgun violence and school shootings “These Sad Times”. To the war in Ukraine with “When The Fire Comes”. Read more>>
Jorah Saint James
For the last five or six years I’ve been writing what could be considered a form of memoir. I like to think that I’m an interesting person who has led an interesting life. And I believe that queer people– especially transgender people– should feel empowered to share their stories: even the mundane, messy, or morbid ones. So often are we silenced or our voices drowned out. I don’t purport to have had the most unique journey, but I do believe that my perspective is worth sharing. Read more>>
Celine Keating
The man who became my husband and I went camping early in our relationship in the small hamlet of Montauk, Long Island. I instantly fell in love with its beautiful beaches, cliffs, and woodlands. I was also intrigued by the people I saw in town – fishermen in dirty sweatshirts and rubber boots, surfers, artists painting in plein air. I felt the kind of stirring that means I want to shape a book around a place and its people. My husband and I purchased a tiny studio apartment and I began to spend halftime there (I had a compressed work schedule at a magazine) and I started writing ideas and short descriptions, but I didn’t have a sense of a story yet. Read more>>
Jammin’ Jay
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the Golden Stage Network, a non-profit dedicated to bringing entertainment and enrichment to senior citizens. This project is especially close to my heart because of my grandmother, who was a lover of the arts and a bright light in my life. She spent her final days in a medical care facility, sick and on her deathbed. Seeing her there, isolated and disconnected, made me realize how vital it is for seniors to have joy and engagement, even in their most difficult moments. After her passing, I wanted to honor her legacy by creating something that would bring light to others in similar situations. Through the Golden Stage Network, I can continue her love for the arts while enriching the lives of those who need it most. Read more>>
Ricky Dean Bro
I’ve worked on several projects, but if I had to pick, I’d say it was my work at Yeezy in reference to the YZY APP. For me, the most meaningful projects are the ones where I collaborate with artists who are genuinely in tune with art. Working with a multinational team, sharing ideas, made me realize that art is a collective experience. It was never just about the design. It was about creating a new narrative. Yeezy is a place, most creatives would sell their own leg to work at, but since then, I’ve reflected a lot about my time there, and hence my ambitions in life, and who I want to be, and what I want to create. It’s not about following anyone’s footsteps, but forging your own footsteps. Your art is a reflection of you, of your experience. Don’t compromise that for a brand, or anyone else for that matter. So, ultimately my most meaningful project would be the project of myself. Read more>>
Diane Savino
I like wearing two hats–one as an artist and one as a curator. I also feel fortunate to be a participant as well as an organizer of exhibits. As a participating artist, I have to adhere to a high standard of painting, so these events help me to keep developing my artwork. Although I enjoy working in silverpoint and watercolor, egg tempera is my definitive medium, leading me to my first curatorial experience. I relish the ritual of preparing panels using rabbit skin glue and chalk, along with mixing clay bole as the cushion for water-gilding gold leaf. Learning about these methodologies thirty years ago was a means of identifying with my Italian heritage and connecting with the rural land I grew up in. Inspired by such Renaissance narrative painters as Giotto, Botticelli, and Fra Angelico, I developed my own intimate stories. When I began creating with egg tempera and gold leaf, there were very few egg tempera painters in the fold. A unique opportunity brought egg tempera painters together through a new interest in the medium. Read more>>
Bella Mfon
One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on was partnering with the Reconnect Health Development Initiative in honour of World Mental Health Day 2022. Our goal was to raise funds to provide subsidized treatment for individuals facing mental health challenges. I delved into the art world through painting as a hobby and a form of therapy, which allowed me to process my innermost thoughts and work through conflicting emotions that I found difficult to express. Participating in this project was healing, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my experience and artwork to help others who struggle with similar mental health challenges. I feel honoured to be among the talented artists who participated in this initiative. Read more>>