Every once in a while we have the good fortune of working on a project that we feel truly matters, a project that we’ll still be thinking about years from now. Maybe even something we can imagine telling our grandkids about – surely you’ve had moments like that where something you did in your professional life really mattered?
Darya Fard
”The Seven Valleys” Installation project and ”Ineffable Freedom” installation projects are two meaningful projects for me. ”The Seven Valleys” is an installation comprised of Screen-print on Plexi-glass panel & mixed media, video, sound, and shadow. These elements are combined to illustrate the experience of psychological flow, involvement in the present moment and attaining to spiritual enlightenment by following a path of seven (7) steps to perfection (The Seven Valleys). Read more>>
Aubrey Ingmar
In my artistic practice, I utilize satire as a driving force within my installations to shed light on contemporary political issues. Recently, I had the privilege of having a solo art exhibition at Belong Gallery in Chicago, aptly titled “The Billionaires.” This exhibition allowed me to integrate an array of diverse mediums, which included an iOS augmented reality app, ceramic dioramas, digital prints, large-scale wall drawings, and even a coloring book. It marked a significant milestone for me as it featured an augmented reality display, enabling my digital sculptures to inhabit the physical gallery space. Read more>>
Amy DeCaussin
Recently, I left my full-time position as Communications Manager for Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Scottsdale, Arizona to focus solely on my company, DeCaussin Studios. My time at Saint Barnabas was filled with very meaningful work that subsequently afforded me many lifelong lessons too. Read more>>
Katarina Benzova
The most meaningful project regarding to photography has definitely been my foundation Mission11.org . Mission11 provides complimentary campaign design, photography, and cinematography services to support and enhance the causes of organizations tackling some of the earth’s most crucial challenges. Our campaigns include collaboration with artists, celebrities, and public figures to shine brighter light on your mission and spread your message around the globe. Read more>>
Carla Winterbottom
In addition to exhibiting regularly their have been a few projects that stand out as meaningful. When the pandemic shut most exhibits down I started an art postcard project that I called “Pandemograms” and mailed to various friends and artists I knew. The feedback was wonderful, some wrote back, some framed them. People appreciated getting actual mail at a time when the digital was so heavily relied on. I was with the Beverly Area Art Alliance then and we featured Pandemograms as an official project for that years “Alt-Walk”, a term I coined for the usual “Art Walk” that the pandemic interrupted. Read more>>
Scott Yeskel
Lately, I’ve enjoyed painting LA ‘s historic restaurants and landmarks. The city is always changing so it’s necessary for me to remind myself and others the beauty and importance of our treasured establishments. I started painting closed restaurants during the pandemic and now I try to paint relevant and important businesses that are fighting to stay open and preserved. Read more>>
Asmita Kerkar
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work has been my involvement in designing solutions for the hunger relief sector. Collaborating with organizations like FFEN- Foundation for Essential Needs, I’ve had the privilege of creating food shelves that go beyond practicality. These projects extend to crafting spaces that are not only well-equipped and strategically merchandised but are also designed to be trauma-informed, fostering comfort and empowerment for the individuals they serve. My inspiration lies in the philosophy of designing with people, rather than for them. It’s a passion that allows me to delve into the realm of space psychology. Witnessing how these design considerations seamlessly integrate with the spaces I create serves as an ongoing motivation. Read more>>
Ina Bochian
Currently, I am working on a music and art project to bring more awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. The project itself started as a series of letters to an old friend where I talk about a significant relationship that came to a close, heartbreak and seeking love again, a friend who passed too soon from mental health related issues, the passing of my grandfather, and a couple of friends. All of these events happened close together in less than a year, which has been very tough to process. However, I decided to channel and recycle this compound trauma into art, poetry, and song lyrics. Read more>>
Elizabeth Tinglof
My current projects have become incredibly meaningful to me because they combine an individual journey along with an ongoing collaboration, inspired by my recent residency at the Maison de Claude Monet in Giverny, France. Spending time in the iconic gardens of the painter Claude Monet prompted my new series of paintings – Traces. This body of work encompasses an earlier concept of abstract environmental depictions, reminiscent of aerial topography, with surfaces that reflect a mapping of the passage of time – as if one could unearth the traces of history beneath the soil. Read more>>
Ariadna Galaz
We are urban artists and muralists, Jorge and I Ari started our project 9 years ago. Since then we have developed a universe with several characters that we have painted in different parts of the world such as Estonia, Spain, France, Germany, Chicago, California, Colombia and different states of Mexico. We are currently developing an animated television series and we will soon be presenting it in Argentina. Read more>>
Laura Espinoza
One of my most meaningful projects was first, writing and recording my album American Stranger (band name: Lunden Reign) and then turning it into a musical stage play. Many of the songs within American Stranger are about those facing intolerance, racism and/or discrimination, especially those in the LGBT community. I then created “American Stranger” the stage play out of the songs and we performed it at the Fringe Festival, Hollywood in 2019 and were honored with multiple awards including in the “Best of” category. We performed all the songs live with the cast singing the lyrics intertwined with the story. Those that saw it said it touched them immensely and many related to the story and the intolerance they faced or facing in American society. Read more>>
Stephen Kennedy
In the depths of Covid, with my commercial photography practice in tatters, I was creatively lost. I had never experienced a lull in my output. I had never taken a sabbatical or even a long vacation that didn’t involve some kind photo-related activity. In May of 2021, after more than a year of sitting idle, I decided to connect with other artists by photographing them at work in their studios or places of inspiration. I started with a mixed media artist in my own town. The session was like an awakening. To what, was still unclear. This artist suggested that I photograph a friend of hers who did similar work. That involved a two hour trip. That session was better than the first one. I hopscotched around like that for 6 weeks. By July of 2021, I felt that a real project was emerging. Read more>>
Emily Fabretti
When I was a sophomore in College I had the random idea to conceptualize an experimental play. It felt like a fire was lit inside of me that I didn’t know existed. I had never been in a play before, and my only acting training at the time was a class called “Acting Fundamentals” taught by Arber Mehmeti my freshman year. I was sitting on the couch in my apartment in a zoom class with some friends and fantasized this crazy idea. Shortly after, my creative partner, Avery Potemri and I combined our love of spirituality, tarot, and astrology into a modern play that deals with five young people coursing throughout a strange deserted forest and having to come to terms with their shadows. Read more>>
Jacqui Blue
I was dealing with a pretty serious postpartum depression in 2022, following the birth of my daughter. In 2020 I released my second documentary, a feature film addressing the suicide crisis, called “I Chose Life: Stories of Suicide & Survival” which features Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker. Gilmore Girls) and T.O.N.E-z (Justified), among many others who share their stories. My first documentary called “Beautiful Births”, which focuses on the Midwifery Model of Care, was released in 2014. And here I was in 2022, in a very dark space after giving birth and I sought out coping mechanisms for survival. For me, as an artist and writer, who has a good understanding of mental wellness, I turned to writing. I ended up redirecting my mental energy by focusing on writing a book. Read more>>
DeVahni
Graveyard Jams is a free concert series I established after the pandemic, to give upcoming artists a chance to share their music live in a warm and welcoming environment. The concert series is a space for community and creativity outside of the academic environment. I am currently a senior at a conservatory of music and most, if not all, the music we make is created with the intention of fitting into a grading rubric. I wanted to break out of these limitations and do other musical things that fed my soul. I didn’t have a space for it, so I created one. Read more>>
Andre Soares
Hey! At this stage of my career, I have a more extensive portfolio of stories and services. As promised in a roadmap I communicated last year, I am currently diversifying across various genres and mediums. My next novel, The Sunflower Protocol, will release in November 2023 (date to be revealed soon). This project is pivotal for me as I’m venturing into romance territory (a first), against the backdrop of a time-travel adventure spanning over continents and centuries. Read more>>
Casey Parlette
My sculptures are a celebration of the natural world and its beauty, and I really like to focus on some of the less-celebrated creatures. I did a shark series to highlight some of the many species that live off California’s coasts. People tend to think of Great White Sharks when they think of “sharks,” but there are hundreds of different, amazing species and many of them are becoming endangered due to overfishing. Read more>>
Jenny He
I’ve recently just finished production for my narrative short. This short film is an adaptation of a feature I co-wrote with Ian Hunter, titled ‘The Art of Loving.’ Right now I am doing post production on the film and planning on submitting to festivals early next year. I am very excited to share this project soon! Read more>>
Lis Rafailedes
I had the pleasure of working on a really meaningful project this year. This mural project was for FamilyWorks in Seattle, Washington. They are an amazing organization that serves the community by providing food bank services, drop in playgroups, and parenting classes. Their offices were cramped together in a small food bank until this year when they received funding to open a new office space. Read more>>
Cassius Creed
My name is Stephen Cassius Bolling, but I prefer to go by Cassius Creed Professionally. I am creating a 3-D animated action comedy show called Sally Mountainpeak. It focuses around the subject of boxing but with superpowers. The main character Sally Mountainpeak is voiced by Emma Breezy and features sixteen other professional voice actors. Sabrina Twyla who you’ve had as a guest here, is one of those sixteen, She is extremely talented and amazing to work with. I am using the Sony playstation creative engine call Dreams to bring this project to life. I am animating the pilot episode as we speak and hope to release it in February of 2024. Read more>>
Jules Kim
I have been in business for 20 years so the list of meaningful practices is long. I am grateful to have such a fullbodied approach to the projects I choose to work on because I have elected to follow an undetermined path with a focus on niche aesthetics and communication. Most recently I have created a collaboration with my factory in Bangkok and their female artisans. The act of making jewelry is part of a shaded process and I hope to shed light on the parts that I am proud to show, especially the creators behind it. Each piece that emerges from my Bangkok factory is made exclusively by females. Read more>>
Odunayo Majekodunmi
All of my Projects are extremely meaningful to me because they were challenging and stretched me. However, my most recent project, my New short film “Salsa Love” is the most meaningful to me right now because it was something I’ve always been afraid to do. I’ve always hated the way I looked on camera and felt very uncomfortable with being in front of the camera. Therefore, I only performed in stage plays, and focused mostly on writing and producing plays. During Covid in 2020, I started my Youtube Channel “Girl From Schenectady” which forced me out of my comfort zone and I had no choice but to produce Youtube videos. These videos allowed me to get more comfortable with being in front of the camera and eventually led to writing and executive producing my first female Lead role in a short Film “Salsa Love”. Read more>>
Kirsten Cohen
The most meaningful projects to me are those that combine my photography, art direction, technical skills, and people skills to help promote an artist or band. When I get to use all of my skills and get paid for them, it’s a totally satisfying feeling on multiple levels. In addition, I am helping to amplify that artist and hopefully reach people who have not heard of them before, or reach those who know and love them and then see them through the lens of my camera in a new way. It’s really cool being a music photographer in Colorado because there are multiple avenues for work as described below in some recent projects I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of. Read more>>
Kim Marra
In summer of 2022, I was able to fully realize a curatorial project that had been simmering with me for quite a while. Back in 2020 I’d submitted to curate an exhibition at Angel’s Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro called “Magically Thinking”; my concept for the show was to exhibit artists and artworks that transport their viewers to other worlds with their work. Read more>>
Siraj Husainy
HeadFirst, the band I’m in has been one of the most ambitious and meaningful projects of my entire life. I started this band with my friend Andru Wilson in 2020 right at the beginning of the pandemic when we started college at berklee. The band has been through a lot of stages, shapes and places but it has allowed me to learn and love, and hurt and view art and self expression in a way that I never would have known if I never set fourth and believed in myself and music music and my friends that we could make a canvas out of nothing and throw our emotions on as the paint. Read more>>
Anthonette Sandoval
I am extremely fortunate to have worked on a wide variety of projects throughout my career, but the one that stands out for me is the Dodger Stadium Renovations from 2006 to 2008. I’m a huge baseball fan, and at the risk of giving away my age – I even played in Little League when I was 12 years old, back when girls participating in little league baseball was still unheard of. Read more>>
Alva Sim
Two years ago, I was invited to watch a new local Austin band that instantly captivated my heart and soul. Their exceptional talent and unique sound had an inexplicable pull on me, compelling me to learn more about them. To my surprise, I discovered that this talented group had no one to guide them in their journey to success. Without hesitation, I decided to step in and take on the role of their band manager. While it was an entirely new endeavor for me, I felt an undeniable sense that it was the right thing to do. Over the past two years, managing this band has been an incredibly transformative experience. It has not only taught me valuable lessons about the music industry but also offered profound insights into my own character and the dynamics of working with individuals in a creative field. Read more>>
Chaney Williams
Writing my memoir has been my most fulfilling project. “Remembering: a homecoming into the body” is a hybrid memoir of nonfiction essays and poetry about the intersections of ancestral grief, generational trauma, biracial identity, place, and spiritual ecology. The memoir is a collection of essays about coming home into my body as someone who is queer, a descendant of both enslaved people and colonizers, a former Catholic, as survivor of multiple sexual assaults, and a Southerner. Through genealogical research and discovery of a history of my paternal side’s enslaved ancestor particularly, my namesake Chaney Chambers who was my sixth great grandmother, an enslaved woman born in 1826. Read more>>
Becky Gibler
The most meaningful project I have worked on is my first book, titled Borne of Grief and Flow, which was published in January 2023. When my partner of 19 years died in 2020, I was left to deal with the grief during a pandemic, so much of the support I would otherwise have had wasn’t available. I tried to find books about grief, and there were some great ones, but I couldn’t find any specific to the LGBTQ+ community. I felt so alone, and I thought the grief would never get better. Read more>>
Todd Williamson
Coming this January 2024, Belmont University (Nashville) has invited me to create a big exhibition called “Hope Abounds” in their new Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Belmont has always been an incubator for creative talents and now I’m thrilled to return to where it all began for me, alongside my fellow alumnus, the brilliant composer Greg Walter. In this exhibition, I’ve delved deeper into the essence of my abstract artistry creating a series of monolithic scale works that are centered around a combination of abstract oil painting and tapestry. Read more>>
Yuqin Ni
The most meaningful project for me is my thesis project GENFEM. It’s an exploration of what I can do for feminism as a graphic designer. Born in a conservative small town in China, being a feminist has been a self-taught process since I got into college. It’s a complex intersection of different factors which makes it complicated. And I have also seen a lot of debates and disagreements within women’s or the feminist community. I’ve made several attempts at design projects related to feminism in the past, but GENFEM stands out as the most profound and impactful one to date, offering the potential to effect meaningful change. Read more>>
Nickolas Ballard
My most meaningful project I’ve had the opportunity to work on was TV show called Roberto written and directed by Iver William Jallah. Roberto starring Juan Carlos Sanchez, a recent graduate from a university in Venezuela moves to the U.S.A. in hope of a better life and new beginning. Roberto rents a room from his new roommate Leroy starring Jermain Hollman who offers him an exciting new internship. What could go wrong? Roberto goes out in the real world to learn on the job while meeting many new people on his way to the top. Read more>>
Jordan Smith Reynolds
One of the most meaningful projects of my life was creating my EP “The Deepest of Blues.” I mostly wrote this EP during the pandemic, having released my first EP “Anywhere in the World” in February of 2020. On paper, early 2020 is probably one of the worst times to have relocated to Los Angeles and release an EP as an independent musician. However, I know “The Deepest of Blues” record is what it is today because of that experience. Read more>>
Lisa Downs
My interest in photography did not begin with books or mentors. It evolved through a natural love of and fascination with the peace and calm I found in nature. I now call myself a professional photographer, but I am also mental health therapist and trauma survivor. I combine my experiences of all three and that is the beginning of my love of story, through photography. Read more>>
Yeltsin Penado
I am mainly a Machinima Animator. Machinima is a form of filmmaking or animation that involves using Video Game engines or 3D Computer Graphics software to create animated movies or videos. Machinima is a combination of two words: “Machine” and “Cinema”. In Machinima, filmmakers typically manipulate characters, objects, and environments within a virtual world to tell a narrative or create visual arts. Read more>>
Kirby Israelson-Villagomez
As a creative, there are always forever projects that stay close to your heart. Throughout my career, I have created art in memory of lost loved ones, celebrating family history, exalting in joy of the future… Each piece sticks with you and helps you grow as an artist and a person. That is one of the wonderful things about art, it’s ability to live long past the final brush stroke. But my newest project—Collect Pickups [https://collectpickups.com/]—is perhaps the most meaningful for a single reason: my newborn son. Read more>>
Marcus Allen-Granderson
For the past four and a half years, I’ve been working on a book project formerly titled “The Lost Soul of Sadie Street” and now known as “The Blossoming Soul of Summer.” It’s a Young Adult novel and cookbook written out of my deep love, reverence, and respect for the food and musical traditions of African-American history and culture. And this book is specifically written with a Young Adult audience in mind because I want to share that love with young readers. Read more>>
Christine Bonipart Johnson
A meaningful project…. It all began in February of 2023. I was playing around with upcycling vintage textiles into jackets and robes. Hand hand pieced and hand stitched vintage quilts we transformed into beautiful jackets, and vintage cheille bedspreads were upcycled into warm cozy robes. All unique, one of a kind, garments were being called “pieces of wearable art” by my clients. Truly sustainable fashion at it’s best. Read more>>
Hilton Wright II
The project that holds a particularly special place in my heart is my work on the Juneteenth episode of black·ish. For those unfamiliar, the episode shines a spotlight on Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. I worked on two songs that the cast sang and danced to. Working on this project was a profound experience, not just as a professional challenge, but as an opportunity to contribute to the cultural discourse on a topic of significant historical importance. Tim Cook later said that the episode caused him to have Juneteenth added to the Apple calendar. Read more>>
Tana Rey
Oh, goodness, what a hard question to start this interview! This year, I’ve been lucky enough to accomplish a few major goals I set for myself when I decided I would pursue a creative career in 2020. I’ve also been fortunate to step into some incredible opportunities that I did not imagine for myself three years ago. Read more>>
Tami Magaro
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on and continue to work on is my podcast The Inner World of Filmmaking. I have always been inquisitive and had a love for films, so should be no surprise that I moved into the world of podcasting and interviewing people within the field of filmmaking. Read more>>
Alex Silver
I’ve recently been asked to participate in the opening of the new Boys and Girls Club of Malibu called Third Space. It’s a new creative space located in the Malibu Cross Creek area designed for kids and all community members to explore their creative ambitions. I’ll be showing some of my surfboard pieces on their gallery wall as well as teaching art classes to the kids. Read more>>
Sandbox Theatre Collective
Sandbox Theatre Collective was created in the summer of 2022 to fill a hole we all felt in our creative lives – in an industry where you spend a lot of time waiting for an opportunity to work, we all felt strongly about creating a structure that would enable us to make those opportunities for ourselves. This would also mean we could prioritize the projects that were most fulfilling and relevant to both the community and the collective members. Read more>>