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.

Rowynn Dumont

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is Phase One of XR Therapeutics, a research initiative I co-lead with Akshita Jain. Our goal is to explore how extended reality (XR) technologies can enhance focus and sensory integration for neurodivergent populations, starting with individuals with ADHD. Read more>>

Donn

I would say every album that I create is meaningful and unique In its own way.But if I had to select one it would be my first full length project which is titled “Passion” I had been making music for many years before this album came to be.To use a sports reference I would look at all the music I made before that point like college basketball putting in my time and perfecting my craft.When it came to Passion and all my work after it’s like ok now we are in the big leagues or the NBA to keep in line with the previous reference.All that being said before that album I had even considered to stop making music all together but I did have a story to tell within my album.After the success of this project it showed me I was on the right path so it’s meaningful to me for so many reasons but being the first of many will always hold a special place within my catalog. Read more>>

Leigh Ann Edmonds

One of the more meaningful projects I have encountered over my photographic career has been the project I’ve given myself to document my hometown. For over 15 years, I was committed to focusing on meaningful work for clients and their families, special occasions and events that I often forgot to document my own life. Read more>>

Eesha Patkar

I’ve worked on various projects in diverse roles over the last decade — my first piece of long-form journalism on India’s first transgender mayor; the first ever artist video I did interviewing the late modern Indian artist Akbar Padamsee who was encountering his monumental painting ‘Greek Landscape’ after nearly 60 years; or the first narrative film I made in grad school. The most significant and meaningful project, however, was writing, directing and producing ‘Six Weeks’, my thesis film for Columbia College Chicago. Read more>>

Brian Pagels

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on that has seen the light of day is Brian K & The Parkway’s debut album “Killing The Bear.” It’s cliche but true to say that it was a labor of love. I started writing the songs that would become the album in early 2020. At that point I had envisioned it as a solo album. I kept writing songs through 2020 and then took almost a full year off before returning to the demos. In fall 2021, Stephen Russ — who had originally signed on to just produce the album — and I started working on full band arrangements with him playing drums. Read more>>

Tammy D. Taylor

I would say the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on as a creative would be the collaboration book that I was a part of .the title is A Love Story Volume Two My Journey to Love, and I have one chapter titled “The Love I found, and it talks about the love that I found for myself after many many years of Self-doubt low self-esteem self hate due to a very violent past. Read more>>

Gabriel Castillo

My most significant project is undoubtedly my graphic novel Palma Sola. Its meaning and relevance transcend history, but first, I want to share how it all began and how everything is filled with symbolism. This novel was proposed for a cultural competition announced by the government of the Dominican Republic in 2014. The person who had the vision to propose an illustrated book was my mentor, Angelo Valenzuela, who was my drawing professor at Chavon and also a close friend of my father, Gerardo Castillo—both united by their passion for writing. Read more>>

Addie Tsai

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was as co-conceiver with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater on Victor Frankenstein, a dance theater production that not only adapted Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but also considered the events in her life that informed her timeless work. For personal reasons, I returned to the novel in my early 30s for the first time in a decade, since reading the novel in a Romantics Literature course in college. It impacted me then, but when I read it as an adult, at a time I really needed it, the novel gripped me in an entirely new way. I became voracious to read everything I could get my hands on that had something to do with Frankenstein – about Mary Shelley’s life, literary theory, and other retellings and adaptations that interpreted the novel through different angles. It was then that the thought occurred to me that it would make an engaging dance theater production. At the time it wasn’t being adapted into stage or dance like it has in the past decade since our production. Read more>>

Elijah Anthony

Every project I work on ends up becoming deeply meaningful and representative of the time it was made. I made a short film called Home Burial, adapted from a poem by Robert Frost that I’d read when I was in 5th/6th grade. It was the first script I ever tried to write, and many versions were written before it was produced in early 2023. Something felt different this time. I’ve always felt like the projects I shoot choose me, and attempts to speed up or manufacture something always end up fizzling out. Read more>>

 Ross Barrable

All of my Public or Private commissions to design and create unique sound sculptures have been meaningful because the folks that resonated with the idea of introducing harmonic sound into their outdoor environment really understood to one degree or another, the value and power of sound to uplift and shift consciousness. Read more>>

Gabriella Diaz

I recently completed a passion project that’s fairly close to my heart– “Shadow Dancing.” The 21 minute short film follows an immortal woman who falls in love with reincarnated versions of the same woman throughout time, forever destined to choose between loneliness and vulnerability, learning that love is always worth the risk if you choose to find it again. Read more>>

Leonardo Cococcia

During my bachelor’s years, I studied jazz guitar performance at Rome’s “Santa Cecilia” Conservatory. At the same time, I began collaborating with artists as a producer, helping create songs. However, it was only during the pandemic that I realized this was something I could do every day, all day long. In March 2020, artist and influencer Livio Ricciardi asked me to produce his debut five-track solo EP, followed by two debut singles in Italian. Bringing so much joy to our lives during such challenging times, this project became a source of inspiration. Read more>>

Jennifer Marie

I released my first EP in 2023 and quickly realized the message wasn’t quite what I thought it would be and as so many indie artists know, we try and try and try again until we find our way. My first album didn’t allow me to share the music in the way I wanted and I knew I needed to re-think much of my original branding/genre/writing/venue selections to reach the audience I intended. In writing the 5 songs that made it on the EP for “Do It All Again”, released Jan 10, 2025, I quickly found my deep love of soul-inspired pop music pulling influences from artists that I’ve always loved, like Teddy Swims, Adele, Sara Bareilles, P!nk, and Sam Smith. Read more>>

Apurva Jadhav

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my final collection at SCAD, Empower Essence. It was more than just a fashion line; it was a personal and professional statement about breaking gender stereotypes in the workplace. Read more>>

𝖉𝖔𝖘

First and foremost, I’d like to express deep gratitude for providing a platform and an opportunity for me to share part of my creative journey that is essential to who I am as an entrepreneur and an independent artist. To inspire and to be of service was always an initial goal and intention for me while laying the blueprint and building the foundation for my brand, usthetiq (us the timeless infinite quality). I prioritize finding new ways to contribute to positive change that will expand the level of freedom and independence that the artists of today and the future generations experience. I envision a world where every artist is their own storefront, in a direct to consumer approach so that the artists dictate the value of their art and also feel the direct impact of the support that they receive from their supporters. This aspiration and creative desire would lead me to launch a project called “indinspo” which is the unification of independence and inspiration. Read more>>

Nix Corporan

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is one I’m currently working on now– my baby, THIQUE! THIQUE is a dance party unlike others, as its intention is to celebrate one of the most marginalized queer communities– the plus-size queer community. It’s super important that parties like THIQUE are prevalent in this day and age, as we’re approaching what appears to be a “Y2K”-esque revival of diet culture and eating disorders. With prescriptions like Ozempic popularizing, trending “aesthetics” like the clean girl aesthetic, and even our government and policies being enforced in the White House, these are all attacks in this particular community. As a proudly fat, Dominican, non-binary femme person, it feels like this is my purpose in life– to find and build a community for people like me. Since I’ve launched the party, we’ve had interest in 6 other cities throughout the US, including red states which makes me incredibly happy because we know now more than ever, they’re going to need all the community we can give so my mission is to make this party a touring one. Read more>>

Kristina Haahr

Every project I work on has special meaning to me because it has a special meaning to my client! I know that might seem like such a trite thing to say, but I really mean it. My clients are realizing a dream by publishing. They are writing their first book, finishing a memoir, or submitting an article to a publication. Some of them are creating a way for their nonprofits to earn income or maybe even making a career change to full-time author. But whatever project they are sending me, it’s an important milestone for them. I remember years ago, I was partnering with a client who planned to publish this particular project, a memoir that captured a major event in the author’s life, before their twenty-first birthday, realizing yet another goal they had set for themselves. Working with them to make their project say just what they wanted it to say, and then to see them submit it, have it published, and watch them absolutely light up from the inside out because they had done this really hard thing was the best feeling for me too. I remember thinking “YES! I helped with that! Look at them SHINE!” and I knew I could do this kind of work for a long time. Whenever I’m meeting with a prospective client, I always ask what their goals are with this manuscript. What are the hopes and dreams they’ve assigned to these pages—because there always are—and those dreams and goals become my focus as I work. This client wants to achieve this particular dream—so what can I do to make it happen. Read more>>

Haoming Li

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the Weaving Chair collection. This project holds a special place in my heart because it was born from a simple, yet profound moment of inspiration. While absentmindedly weaving a receipt one day, I realized that the concept of two-dimensional weaving could be translated into a three-dimensional design. That initial spark led to the creation of the Weaving Chair, a collection that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern minimalism. Read more>>

D.c. Phillips

As a writer, each of my projects has its own special place in the shadows and dark corners of my mind—including my spooky children’s book and my cult-classic-inspired short story collection. The process behind each one has been unique, and at times I’ve had to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the ride, from the inception of an idea to the launch of a new book. Read more>>

Queen Angela Thomas Smith

Hello everyone, I’m Queen Angela, and I’m thrilled to share the heart and soul behind the #100AuthorsToWatchIn2025 movement—a project that has become profoundly meaningful to me, DA Crew Podcast, and the entire team at the African American Author Literacy Awareness Campaign (AAALAC). Read more>>

Milton Johnson

I would have to say it is prison ministry. There is no particular camp, but every facility I have been blessed to minister in has been meaningful in several ways. Read more>>

Bonnie Bley

My work in my award winning non-fiction, short story, true crime book Stolen Voices: Missing and Murdered in Big Horn County is the most meaningful project I have worked on. This book is set in the county that I grew up in and still have strong ties to today. Many people ask me why I chose this specific topic and stories, when in actuality this book chose me. I knew I had to do the best job I’ve ever done with my writing skills to help tell the stories in the most respectable way possible. I poured my heart, soul, sweat, and tears into this book. I self published this book and have put a lot of work into getting it into the hands of readers. Read more>>

Kathryn Ikle

The Art Club of McKinney is a vibrant and meaningful organization where artists come together in a supportive, judgment-free environment to connect, grow, and create. Through collaboration with incredible partners such as the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, McKinney Artist Studio Tour, Collin County Master Gardeners, The Cove, Jump Into Art Studios, Scottish Rite for Children, TUPPS Brewery, Empty Bowls, the City of McKinney, North Texas Garden, and many more, we’ve worked on impactful projects that enrich our community and celebrate creativity. Read more>>

Roxy Young

I would have to say the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the one I’m currently working on. It’s a film exhibition, the first I’ve undertaken so far. My goal is to always create something meaningful, innovative, authentic and unique. I’m hoping this will be a chance to show more of my work that not everyone gets to see. I have given myself a year to plan and execute the concepts I want to showcase. Instead of walking into a gallery full of paintings and photos, you’ll be walking into a space full of film. Read more>>

Andrew Koutroubas

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on in the most general sense is a project called Silentwoods Collective. This project is a collective of musicians who are passionate about providing rich cultural offerings for communities, and fair wage opportunities for artists. The idea of Silentwoods was born from my exposure to live music and how it changed my life at a young age. Read more>>

Brandy Walker

My most meaningful project was designing for the NCrowd Fashion Show at Michigan State University. For this event, I created seven outfits, including my own, each featuring art pieces that addressed significant issues in the Black community. Read more>>

Terri Conrad

Developing and launching Bloom True is what I refer to as my HEARTwork because it is a reflection and expression of my own personal and artistic journey home to the heart of my truest self, and I want to share this with others for their benefit Read more>>

María Sardi

In September 2024, I was invited By TLG Gallery in NYC to create a piece for a themed show honoring Spike Lee’s love for the New York Knicks. I’d never done a sports painting before, so I went into it cautiously. Throughout the piece’s creation, I was constantly reminded of my beautiful friend Dmitri who passed away May 12, 2024. Dmitri dedicated his ENTIRE life to basketball and helping the youth excel through sports, coaching, and just being there for them and everyone in his circle. He was a leader, a counselor, a teammate, a supporter, and most importantly a friend. He had a knack for discovering people’s hidden talents and finding a way to get them out of their comfort zone. He led with his heart and soul. He was the first one to appreciate and support me on my artistic journey fully, he even took some shots of me painting because he knew I was just starting and needed some exposure. Making this painting was at times challenging, but I like to believe that he helped guide me along the way. The show was a success, I met so many people and talented artists who shared a love for basketball and Spike’s movies. Right after the show ended, I was told that Spike Lee purchased my painting and all I could think about was my friend Dmitri. He was right beside me till the end along with a grand finale! It was all for you, Meech! Read more>>

Josh Carples

I have been lucky to have been part of a number of meaningful projects over the years, but in recent years, working on the film “Shadow Tag” is up there at or near the top of the list. Along with serving as a producer and cinematographer on the project, I play a character named “Jove,” a quirky party clown claiming to be God who ends up in a mental institution. Read more>>

Claire Louise Huder

While there are quite a few projects that are near and dear to my heart for a number of reasons, the most meaningful project has to be my participation in the “Define Your Narrative” Documentary with Project Human (PHinc.). Mental health is such an important topic and prevalent issue that affects everyone—of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds—and has been becoming a more open and accepted conversation to have in society. Read more>>