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.

Rohit Sivaram

The truth is there have been several projects that have been very important to me such as my band Enfierce, touring with Guitar Prasanna. However, a very meaningful project to me was my debut solo features record titled Unearth Prophecy. The record took about two years to make, and this was during my time at the Berklee College of music. The whole point of the record was to make myself grow in the collaborative space with people who I was truly inspired by and respect, and I thought one better way to do it then writing in composing music for the artist themselves to actually play on, so what I did was, I got together Anup Sastry in Mohini Dey to be my rhythm section and have featured soloist such as Shaun Michaud, Joe Stump, Guitar Prasanna, Josh Martin and Tom Monda. Most of the record was pretty metal as were all the songs going between Gothic nature, Shred, Progessive, however since I was also being mentored by a Guitar Prasanna I want to give back to his teaching by writing a song in the Carnatic fusion nature. That track notably being called Nakshatra, which also featured Rohith Jayaraman. Read more>>

Sandy Show

When I arrived in the United States just three years ago, I did so with a heart full of uncertainty and hope. I had been forced to flee the dictatorship in Cuba, leaving behind my life, my family, and all the dreams I had built in my homeland. For five months, I lived on the streets, without a stable roof over my head, facing each day as a battle to survive. It was a dark period, but also the beginning of a transformation I could never have imagined. In Cuba, I had the opportunity to be part of successful projects in radio, television, and live performances. However, my true challenge began here, when I decided to create my own interview program: *Lo de Nosotros No Tiene Nombre*. This project was born under adverse circumstances but with a clear vision. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew I had something important to share. Read more>>

Ken The Rapper

“CLUB KEN” is undoubtedly my most personal project to date. The album reflects a significant chapter in my life, as I was navigating through a relationship that ultimately turned sour. From the very beginning of the writing process, I found myself pouring my emotions and experiences into the music. Each song captures different moments and feelings, allowing me to express the highs and lows of that journey. It was both cathartic and challenging to channel such raw emotions into my work, but I believe that authenticity resonates with listeners. This project not only showcases my growth as an artist but also serves as a testament to the power of music as a means of healing and self-discovery. Read more>>

Andres Lerma

I made Quetzy the first character because I wanted to tell a story about a quetzal who lived in Guatemala. When I travel to Guatemala, I visited Baja Verapaz that where I saw a real quetzal bird for the first time and I fell in love with the quetzals. I brought the idea back home and inspired me to developed a short film. Quetzy is my meaningful project because the quetzals brings goodness in light. Read more>>

Tommy Habib

I can honestly say that the album I’m prepping for release in December, ME AND YOU AGAINST THE WORLD has been the among the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on in my career. I’m so excited to put it out, it’s definitely been a long time coming. I put out my last album HINDSIGHT IS 2020 in October 2021 and then the tour for that album put me out until the spring of 2022. I started asking myself what direction I wanted to take next in my career: I knew people had liked HINDSIGHT but I also knew that albums are almost an endangered species at this point with streaming and Spotify, so that if I made one I better make it as excellent as can be or else why bother. I also didn’t have pressure making this one, with no rush, I focused on writing the best possible songs that excited me. In doing so, I ended up having an unusual advantage: there’s 15 songs on the new album (including one bonus track) I basically compiled the 5 best songs I wrote in 2022, 5 best in 2023, and 5 best in 2024, as opposed to rushing through a set of songs to meet a deadline. I can say I probably wrote 50songs in preparation for this project, so it’s nice to work with the cream of the crop. Read more>>

Marc Billard

While working as a carpenter in South Florida, my neighbor Jocelyn Tanner told me about her brother, Mel Tanner, who was a light artist and produced an event called Lumonics with his wife Dorothy. I had the address in my wallet for quite a while, and when I decided to visit, the address was hard to make out because of my daily perspiration from construction! But I was able to figure it out, and once I saw their artwork, I was mesmerized. They told me they were looking for someone to assist them and after a short apprenticement in the evenings, I began to work full-time crafting their art works. I was also able to create motorized trays, lenses, and laser fixtures for the multi-sensory experiences they produced. I have been part of the project ever since! Read more>>

Natalya Nova

He Wants Me To Remember It, 2017 I live in New York—a city that chews you up, picks its teeth, and then charges you rent. I moved here at nineteen, dragging a suitcase and an attitude, thinking I’d conquer the world. No parents, no safety net—just this reckless belief that I’d make it somehow. It took me years to figure out who I was. Even longer to find him. Before him, there was a parade of mistakes. Men with big promises and small souls. One I thought I’d marry—stupid. Then came heartbreak—my best friend Ian died in a car accident. The universe was taking me apart, piece by piece. Enter existential crisis. One night, sitting in the dark, a thought crossed my mind: Well, that’s it. Time to go. The thought of death didn’t scare me. I felt euphoric, drunk on the idea of living life to the fullest before I “go”. Read more>>

Ray Anthony Eddie

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on has been the ongoing journey of figuring myself out—discovering who I truly am and identifying the areas of life that resonate most deeply with me. This personal exploration led to the creation of my YouTube platform, Xqsitor, where I host meaningful conversations with creatives in the art field. For me, Xqsitor is just a reflection of my love for storytelling, a passion for inspiring others, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge and creative growth. The backstory is simple yet profound: I realized that the moments when I felt most alive were those spent connecting with people, understanding their unique perspectives, and sharing that energy with the world. With Xqsitor, I’ve been able to create a space where those values thrive—a place where stories spark inspiration and art fuels deeper human connection. Read more>>

Daniel Montoute

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been curating New Horizons: An Exhibition of Emerging Artists. This exhibition was a celebration of the vibrant future of contemporary art and a demonstration of how art can intersect with purpose to create a lasting impact. Curating New Horizons was incredibly meaningful to me because it showcased fresh, innovative work from up-and-coming talents, amplifying diverse creative voices. Each artist brought a unique perspective and approach, and it was an honor to provide them a platform to share their stories with the community. As someone who has benefited from opportunities and mentorship, this exhibition felt like a way to give back and uplift others. Read more>>

Kevin B Ploth

There are two. First THE GIANT not only is it personal but built around an amazing team of creatives, talent and peers. It began from hearing the single by Shawn Parsons when up in the Catskills at Blue Fox and he played “Hell if I know”. From there the journey launched from thought to pre-production with distribution from Black Wolf Media Group. After many reworkings of the pilot season we are now at the final push. Mind you now..I suffer severe dyslexia which is not only a constant challenge but always with me not always in a good way. Read more>>

Rob Kempton

My band Curver is currently wrapping up our first EP, and after an amazing run of highly curated shows, we’re excited to release the EP to the world. Pivoting full-time to recording has allowed us to explore and fine-tune our tones for the upcoming release. We’re aiming for spring of next year. Because I manage Curver’s booking and promotion, it’s incredibly satisfying watching these shows take shape. I book these gigs intentionally and often and with a lot of research (what’s their vibe and will they be a good fit)?  While I genuinely enjoy playing these songs live as the bassist, I view these shows as ways to build up our community and help create meaningful experiences. Our debut EP will have a huge sound I’m proud to have worked on. I hope we can extend the legacy and add to resurgence of shoegaze and heavy alternative rock. Bands like Hum, my bloody valentine, Duster, and Narrow Head are just a sampling of our influences.  Read more>>

Lauren Green

In between my own music and creative projects I teach woodworking workshops to different age groups. A meaningful project that comes to mind is when I instructed a woodworking class at a local high school here in Taos, New Mexico. We designed and crafted benches for the interiors and exteriors of the school because they were lacking seating to just hang out in between classes. A special way to teach hands on skills and give back. Another favorite and inspiring project is a song I had licensed for The Citizenry. The song was used to share stories for a short video entitled “Women of Oaxaca” on making natural, locally sourced dyes. I was honored to have contributed music to such beautiful visuals demonstrating an incredible craft. Read more>>

Tish Arana

My film, The Burden, is the most meaningful project I’ve created to date. This science fiction film that vacillates between drama and dark comedy, has resulted in so many vulnerable and powerful conversations around the N-word and how it’s affected people throughout their life. I always know when one of these conversations is about to happen, because the person approaching me always has their hand over their heart. I’ve learned over and over again that specificity truly is what connects us all. You assume your special story will be so unique, so specific that no one will relate. It’s the complete opposite.  I made a project that uses radical empathy to drive home a point and it seems to be working. Read more>>

Jeorgia Rose

I recently released my debut album “Blooming,” a project that has been around 2 years in the making and marks a personal chapter in my life. Over that time, I poured my heart into these songs, capturing my experiences and emotions as I navigated moments of growth and change. The title “Blooming” felt like the perfect way to describe the journey, starting from a place of uncertainty, weathering life’s challenges, and eventually blossoming into a stronger, more self assured version of myself. The songs came together in pieces, written across Nashville, LA and the UK; I loved creating this album with so many of my friends and the album truly came to life when I recorded it in Nashville. Blooming tells the story of what it means to find your way through life’s uncertainties, and for me, it captures the pivotal time of growing from being a teenager to stepping into adulthood. This album is not just a collection of songs to me, it’s the beauty of learning who you are and accepting change. I’m so proud to share it with the world. Read more>>

Yanqing Pan

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is a sculpture titled Cendres vertes. It’s a piece that deeply reflects my personal journey and my relationship with nature, memory, and time. The work consists of a tall wooden structure dyed with indigo, transitioning from a deep, almost black blue at the top to the raw, untouched wood at the base. The dyeing process was especially meaningful because traditional indigo is a living material—it begins green and transforms into blue as it oxidizes, a metaphor for the slow passage of time and the transformation inherent in life. Read more>>

Jessica Hinkson

I am in development for my first feature, CONCRETE MARSHMALLOW- Inspired by my life and personal health journey, it is a film about the direct correlation between unresolved trauma, illness, and the shift from the dissociation of flight, fawning, and flee to psychological fluidity by way of radical self-acceptance.  Concrete Marshmallow’s universality lies in its exploration of trauma. It seeks to shift the lens from focusing solely on “the happening, the event” to investigating how trauma imprints itself on one’s soul.  “The miracle of life is not that we have it; most of us wake up every day and agree to fight for it, to hold it in our arms when it squirms to get away.” ~ Sloan Crosley Telling stories that matter, which are women-centric, about real experiences that continue to shape and mould our lives’ journey, furthers my understanding, deepening, awareness and investigation as a storyteller; it is a privilege. Read more>>

Marko Medic

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is the Journal Man Box for Movember. It aimed to challenge outdated ideas of masculinity, like the phrase “boys don’t cry,” which often prevent men from seeking help for physical or mental health. By encouraging vulnerability and sparking conversations, the project supported men’s health while redefining what it means to be a man. It was an honor to use design to create meaningful change and contribute to such an important cause. Read more>>

Alexander Quezada

mine for over 2 years and it’s important to me cause it’s about the loss of my mom. I never got to know her and I saw how hard it was on my dad to raise 4 kids by himself. This story is about grief and how to find the peace in it. Read more>>

Lisa Schyck

The creation of my lifestyle photography book, Glimpses of the Joshua Tree Dream, showcases the unique living spaces of creatives in the Hi-Mojave Desert. This book serves as both a platform and a vehicle to promote and support local artists and non-profits. When I relocated to the desert from Detroit, I was searching for a project that would serve and benefit the community. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the book will be reinvested into local initiatives. It quickly became clear to me that the desert was home to an immense amount of untapped talent and creativity—yet it wasn’t being recognized enough outside the region. I saw the book as a way to bring attention to these individuals and the vibrant community they’ve built. Read more>>

Chusu Kim

I’d like to talk about my first solo exhibition, ‘Unspoken Words I Want to Say.’ As it was my first exhibition, I put a lot of effort into the preparations, met various collaborators, and finally brought the exhibition to life, making it a very memorable experience. My first solo exhibition was held in December 2023. I was able to carry out this exhibition after being selected as an artist for a young artist support project by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture in Korea. After graduating with my Master’s from the California Institute of the Arts in 2022, I followed my friends’ advice and applied for these art support programs. Luckily, I was selected for one of them. Through this program, I received a grant to hold an exhibition. Read more>>

Rob Mcmillan

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on involved a close family friend, Elizabeth Taylor, no, not the famous actress, but a strong, elderly Scottish woman who was visiting Canada for what would be her final time. Her health had been declining, and she had recently lost her husband. She had come to see friends and family one last time, though none of us knew just how serious her condition was it turned out to be terminal. While out with family, she suffered a fall and was taken to the hospital. When I heard about the accident, I immediately went to visit her in the palliative care unit, preparing myself for the worst. But to my surprise, I found her sitting up in bed, asking me, “I hear you can draw! Would you do a picture for me?” She told me she loved owls. Read more>>

 

Ola Avedissian

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on involved creating a program designed to encourage daily wellness practices. It stemmed from a desire to help individuals move beyond momentary changes and embrace long-term habits that enhance their lives. The program integrated physical movement, mindfulness, and reflection, empowering participants to take charge of their well-being one day at a time. The backstory lies in my journey of discovering how discipline, even in small steps, leads to profound transformation. Working with a diverse group, I witnessed how these daily practices built confidence and resilience in participants, proving that small, intentional actions create big impacts over time. This project remains close to my heart because it aligned my passion for wellness with a tangible way to positively influence others’ lives. Read more>>

Brendan Schweda

In 2018, I founded the Puppets Come Home series in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. The opportunity to start the series was provided by the permanently unelected mayor of Coney Island, Dick Zigun. In the early 1980s, Zigun, who is also the founder of the famous Coney Island Mermaid Parade, started a non-profit that was meant to showcase, among other things, his weird American plays. After I developed a professional relationship with Zigun, and shared my love for both theatre and community building, he invited me to produce an original show for his Sideshows by the Seashore theater. Up until that time, my artistic background was rooted in traditional theater and music. However, when presented with an opportunity to put on a show in a theater that was home to sideshow, burlesque, magic, and circus… I decided that puppets might be an excellent fit. Unfortunately, I didn’t know any puppeteers. Read more>>

Ted Bumpus

As a bespoke Craftsman, I have worked on many marvelous creations. It brings me true joy and fulfillment to help bring a person’s ideas to life. There is one piece that will always stick with me. Several years ago, a friend (we will call J.S.) came to me with what some might consider an odd request. A person he considered to be family had recently passed after a challenging and sudden battle with Cancer. J.S. wanted a piece of memorial jewelry to be made as a gift for the deceased’s older brother using the actual cremated remains, so that he would always have his sibling close by. Read more>>

Ashlie Kègo

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is using my art to raise awareness for sickle cell disease. This cause is incredibly close to my heart, as it affects so many individuals and families who often feel overlooked. Through my paintings, I aim to educate others about the challenges and resilience of those living with this condition. A portion of all my artwork sales is donated to Sickle Cell 101, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for those impacted by sickle cell. This project is meaningful because it combines my passion for art with my commitment to making a positive impact. Knowing that my work not only touches people emotionally but also contributes to a cause that saves lives is deeply fulfilling. It’s a reminder of how creativity can be a powerful tool for change and connection. Read more>>

Vanesa Moreno

I recently rewatched my short film Let’s Make Jam that I made in 2021. The fact I made a short film during the pandemic is a win within itself. We followed guidelines and restrictions and made it work. My producer Ashley Dean was amazing to work with and was truly a person I could count on while making this film. We crowdfunded over 3k in donations to make this film happen. We used our resources wisely and made a short independently in Richmond, VA. I think it’s the most meaningful film to me because we were able to lean on my community. It was during COVID when my uncle died from a stroke that made me want to make this film in dedication to him. It was rewarding to watch it and see something made so carefully with the help of my friends and community. Read more>>

Jill Derusch

So far, my most meaningful project is a song I put out called, “Drink Yourself to Death.” I wrote this song 5 or so years ago and it used to be about how I wished I was more appreciated. I would get into relationships where I was always begging to be loved and this song is exactly about that. Of course as time has gone on, it’s no longer about one specific person but it’s a reminder to everyone to appreciate what you have, while you have it.  I redid the song with my band. Same chords but a much fuller and a little heavier sound. This is really special to me because hearing one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written come to life and to be able to play it on stage makes me really happy. I wrote it when I didn’t think I’d ever be confident enough to share my feelings and music with people so to see this song grow with me has been really cool and I’m grateful  Read more>>