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.

K.t. Jay

Currently, I’m working on wrapping up my first novel. It’s the beginning of a duology. This project is meaningful to me because it was born from a place of suffering, turmoil, and grief. At a young age, I experienced three people close to me pass away in the same year. And in 2022, I experienced three more deaths of people in my life. After being in the pit of grief, I staggered out with a conviction to create something that would help people who were going through similar chapters of grief in their life. Namely, young adults. Grieving as a young person is a rollercoaster. Much of my experience revolved around asking God “why”, asking Him to bring my friends and family back, and living in the tension of still trying to be a nine-year-old kid. Grief at a young age can often be lonely, so I turned to books. Read more>>

Sophia Oddi

In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege of participating in the WOODWORKS Traverse City Residency Program, led by choreographer and producer Madison Falconer. Taking part as a choreographer, I collaborated with composer Daniel Mangiaracino and dancers Charizma Lawrence and Zay to create a 15-minute performance to be showcased at the City Opera House. Over two transformative weeks, 11 artists lived, cooked, journaled, researched, and danced together. We discussed the underground networks of fungi that link trees, facilitating the exchange of information and nutrients. This concept of mycorrhizal fungi became our guiding metaphor. Read more>>

Kristin Pedderson

Each creative project I’ve embraced, whether musical or literary, carries deep meaning to me. Over the past twenty years, my music collections have been intentionally, theme-driven. For example, “Free” explores the idea of personal freedom, “The Dreamer” encourages the pursuit of dreams, and “March On” is about the power of perseverance. These projects are born from personal experience, with the goal of encouraging and inspiring others. The lyrics always point toward hope, which is central to my message. Read more>>

Tonya Lockyer

I recently authored “Artists on Creative Administration”, a book that brings together first-hand stories from 30 artists and advocates from the dance and the performing arts worlds, on how we navigate the business of getting art into the world. The book reveals creative administration in action through case studies, interviews, life tools, and experiments. The book emerged from the National Center for Choreography’s (NCCAkron) Creative Administration Research program. It’s a project that gave me the opportunity to combine my experience as an artist, writer, and arts leader—and to bring together artist-administrators I love and admire. NCCAkron’s director Christy Bolingbroke and I have known each other professionally for years. It’s a double-joy when I can collaborate and create something beautiful and meaningful with another female leader. Read more>>

Caroline Landau

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on is called “Prometheus”. In March of 2023, I connected with someone while I was spending time in Denver, Colorado. This person, Madison Sankovitz, asked me about my artistic practice and the question of…what’s next? I told her about my dream of finding the stump of a tree named Prometheus. Read more>>

Sue Beyer

Currently, I am a PhD candidate working on my thesis project. My fascination with the ‘magic’ of computers, programming, and the internet began in my teens. From the moment I first encountered computers, they took on a metaphysical quality for me, suggesting that if you asked the right questions, all the answers could be revealed.

Jane Edberg

By far, the most meaningful project I have ever embarked on was to write an art-illuminated memoir about using art to process grief after the loss of my son. From concept to publication, the writing and making of artworks for my story took patience and 24 years to complete. Sometimes art takes a long time to reach its form. After reading every grief story and book I could get my eyes on, I discovered, again and again, that my experience with art, grief and healing was not represented. This compelled me to write and visually depict what was missing. Read more>>

Stefanie Maura

One meaningful project is my Writing Yoga® Online Community Workshops that started after the pandemic. I recently received an email following a workshop from a participant. She so clearly expressed to me how our practice together had shifted her energy, cleared stress out of her body, and gave her the mental clarity she desperately needed. I have helped probably thousands of people over the years with this method and it’s very meaningful to hear people articulate exactly what is happening in their mind and body while we work together! Read more>>

Yingdan Lai

I’m excited to share some recent creative projects! My film, “Fish” was featured in several festivals, and last year, I also created a comic titled “Confession.” “Fish” is a personal story inspired by my own experience of unintentionally neglecting a childhood pet. The film delves into themes of distorted (or immature) perceptions of life and death, portraying the complexities of human-animal relationships and how they mirror broader human connections. It reflects on the under-appreciated pet market in early 2000s in China, where animals were cheap and often received little thoughtful care. My story centers around the goldfish I kept as a pet, whose life ended in my fish tank. The film intertwines my childhood fantasies with an adult‘s lens of regret and reflection. Read more>>

Guadalupe Quesada

A little over seven years ago, I founded Casa Lü, an artist residency program based in Mexico City, and we’ve had the privilege of hosting over 440 artists from around the world. This endeavor was inspired by my own transformative experiences as an artist-in-residence in Guldagergaard (Denmark) and ComPeung (Thailand). These residencies profoundly impacted my life, rekindling my connection to my inner self and spirituality.

Lena Drake

I recently starred in an independent feature film, The Send-Off, available on Prime Video and AppleTV. It’s a dark comedy, and my character, Alex, drives much of the story’s darkness. Alex embodies the cultural shifts in the wake of the #MeToo movement: she’s a broken woman healed, a damsel empowered, a survivor who thrived. She’s also the exact opposite, at the exact same time. Read more>>

Becca Mohler

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is a series of children’s songs inspired by my experiences at Cal Heights Music, the music school I co-founded in Long Beach, CA. This project came about as I began to notice how music brought families together and sparked joy in young children during our baby, toddler, and preschool classes. I wanted to create a collection of songs that not only are fun but also encourage exploration of the outdoors and foster a love for nature. Each song reflects my personal experiences with my own children, capturing the magic of our adventures in parks, forests, and the beach. The process of writing these songs allowed me to weave in concepts about nature, curiosity, and environmental stewardship, instilling values I hold dear. Read more>>