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?

David Flora

My wife, Annie, and I helped start a theatre company in the small ski town of Crested Butte, Colorado in May of 2023. After moving here once the pandemic settled down, we found a group of theatre enthusiasts who shared our passion for the craft, but had very few outlets or opportunities to practice it. Read more>>

Gregg Emery

Most recently, I was commissioned to paint my largest painting to date for the Aston Martin Residences in Miami. This partnership has been incredible and seeing the finished work in the iconic space in Miami was truly momentous. Read more>>

Ajaé Moore

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was a collaboration with an architecture company. This experience was significant to me because it allowed me to build something from scratch alongside skilled professionals who are masters at their craft. Read more>>

Verónica Mar

The most meaningful project I have worked on in my life has been the Roma Garden sculpture, a sculpture divided into three parts that represented the energy of the owners’ dog, who are art collectors. The sculpture consists of three pieces created in cast aluminum lacquered with boat paint. Read more>>

Marqus Anthony

The most meaningful album I’ve worked on was probably my first one, Walking By My Faith by Marqus Anthony. I started writing this album after becoming a Christian. I grew up as an atheist and went on to become a scientist but God changed my life and revealed the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to me. Read more>>

Matthew Miramontes

When I first started doing music under the moniker MERCY, I had experience with live shows and photography. So the idea of switching gears to instead be in front of the camera and on the stage rather than behind on the production side of things was certainly challenging.  Read more>>

Cassie Mareno

The most meaningful project I’ve gotten the pleasure of working on was for a mother affected by the Waukesha parade tragedy of 2021. Sheri first reached out to me in March of 2022 telling me that she wanted to work on a quarter-sleeve honoring her lost children. Read more>>

Joan Baker

The most meaningful project I’ve ever embarked on is still unfolding: That’s Voiceover! Career Expo. What began as a modest three-hour event in 2009/2010 in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC, has evolved into the longest-running VO conference and expo in the world, an epic three-day event in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Ian Coleman

The most meaningful project so far has been the short film No Dogs. My friend Georgina Tolentino who I met in acting class at Howard Fine Studio pulled me into the project when she first started working on it. It was amazing to be a part of the process from the beginning and see all of the work that went into it. Read more>>

Serena Florez

My most meaningful project is one that I am currently working on. Right now, I am editing my senior thesis film, “the end of the bay,” and have dedicated it to my family for everything that they have done for me. For my documentary film, I sat down with some of the most important people in my life and had a conversation with them. Read more>>

Layne Marie Williams

We’ve been hard at work on a big sci-fi project called “Wizdom” for several years now and its just about to hit market finally, finally. Wizdom first came to be in Chicago, IL and this one is particularly close to my heart because it originated from imagining what Lower East Wacker would look like all lit up in neon with the character of Eos flying through the tunnels on a holographic motorcycle. Read more>>

Debra Markowitz

I try to make every project I do meaningful in some way. I want to touch people and bring about real life situations in most of my films. I want to give people something that will touch on situations they have lived through or are living through, and perhaps offer a solution or let them know that they are not alone. Read more>>

William Anthony Burrus

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on thus far was my recent solo piano EP called “Dawn”. Up until its release, I really had only worked on projects for other creatives – creating scores for short films and producing songs for other artists. I enjoyed that, and still do. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with other artists. Read more>>

Caitie Dodge

Right out of school, I started working for a large corporation – a mall brand – and that work felt meaningless. I argued my way into a fashion degree by telling people how important clothing was for self-expression, just for me to end up creating meaningless clothing that was made with slave labor, something I am completely against and advocate for more fair practices. Read more>>

Kayla Perkins

All the projects I have worked on have been so meaningful. I treat every project like it’s the first one. There is so much to learn about yourself within the project that makes you grow as an actor. But if I only had one to pick it would have to be The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Read more>>

Alejandro Ramírez

Before creating oe architect, I was working in a landscape studio, there I learned a lot of what I now apply, I tell you because at that time I was project coordinator and 2 of the emblematic projects won the Mexican architecture biennial, in 2016 & 2018 was something incredible since, in the end, it is good to know that you are congratulated for your work. Read more>>

Shengnan Dong

One of my most memorable projects is a stop-motion animated short film called “Nostril”. It was a four-and-a-half-minute short film that I collaborated on with animator Michael Dondero. Michael Dondero was primarily responsible for directing, writing, and animation, while I focused on visual design, character fabrication, and post-compositing work. Read more>>

Joe Savidge

I’m in a three-piece band on Whidbey Island called Budge. I play guitar, Donald Singleton plays bass, Brian Pike plays drums, and we all write and sing rock-and-roll songs of love, heartbreak and punk rebellion. Our collective rock-and-roll DNA is heavily composed of blues, country and punk roots, and a jazzer’s instinct to weave and improvise around each other. The most important ingredient lies at the core: FUN! Read more>>

Elle Gillette

I began Flush Gallery as a concept after graduating from Pratt Institute in 2022 after going through my MFA during the COVID-19 pandemic. I believed that during the years during the pandemic and after, people were scared of being near one another. Not only were we scared to be next to other humans, but we were unable to be together in groups, view art, and show half our faces. Read more>>

Claudia Rojas

Called “the Refugee Capital of the US” and a Certified Welcoming City, Lancaster is inescapably multicultural and diverse. However, we still have a long way ahead for everyone to feel included, for all voices and languages to be truly heard. A step forward in that direction was the “Welcoming Mural”, a public art project that was launched in 2022 through the collaboration of CWS and the City of Lancaster. Read more>>

Sarah Va Xiong

I’ve been really fortunate to have been able to work on some really amazing projects, many of them focused on telling someone else’s story for them. I’ve felt really lucky to have had others trust me enough to tell their stories, and this is one of my favorite parts about doing creative work. Read more>>

Shane Reynolds

I feel like there’s too much negativity in the world that’s compounded in the media and even more online. The mission statement for my production company, Color Earth, is “Bring a positive light to the darkest corners and the world will shine.” This means that for over 20 years I have traveled the world producing, shooting, and editing content that shows the bright side of misunderstood places and the wildlife within them. Read more>>

Max Fischer

I write historical fiction about American history for teens. I create each novel with the intent of connecting today to a time in our past. While the world changes through technological advancements, human nature is constant. With that in mind, freedom is a right loudly proclaimed throughout our nation’s history, except when fear or prejudice intervenes. One of my novels cuts close to home on that very idea. Read more>>

Daniel Cook

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on as a performer was being the first Deaf American Host of a television Game Show, called SignTasTic! The idea for SignTasTic! was born in 1995, when I was teaching ASL classes at a college. I noticed that students were not really motivated with the classroom activities while learning sign language. That’s when I started the SignTasTic! card game. Read more>>

Andrew Hardinge

I’d say the most meaningful project that the band and I have accomplished would be the release of our E.P. “With Friends Like These…”.I had to do a lot of reflection when thinking of that title. I started to think of what our music talks about and the people we are trying to reach with it. I thought about the lyrics that came from my heart, and the long nights writing those songs while trying to keep my own life from falling apart.  Read more>>

Avery Mcpherson

I think so far the most meaningful would be the trips I have gone on with my friends’ bands. Getting to go on the road and take pictures while they perform is always fun, and the antics along the way add to it! Those trips just have a special place in my heart. Read more>>

Yasmeen Abdallah

Acts of nurture and care through the processes of art-making. As a teaching artist, I’ve found that through slow work like mending, weaving, sewing, and painting, people are able to find solace and comfort individually and together. In my classes and workshops, everyone finds their groove, and navigates their path to articulate what they want to convey. Read more>>

Mignon Pinson

Throughout my career in the film industry, I have had the privilege of creating several meaningful projects that not only capture the audience’s interest but also resonate deeply with them, fostering a sense of connection and awareness. As a producer and writer, my goal has always been to create content that not only entertains but also educates and sparks important conversations. Read more>>

David Rodé

My current project, “Pete Re-Imagined!” is one of the most important and meaningful endeavors of my 40+ years as bandleader of Topper, one of America’s longest running touring & recording bands. Pete Re-Imagined! Is a ten song series of remixed Topper songs, featuring the amazing lead vocals of Pete George. Read more>>

Manuel Carrasco

The Church of Blues: Music Heals, and its Free Public Music Program, “Composing the Blues: Writing/Healing from the Heart & Soul,” was born from the desire to address loneliness and isolation. My Dad was a 3-war vet. I am proud of him, but recognize the tremendous struggle he faced with PTSD. His solution was found in sober fellowships, and service to others. It worked for him, -and my family. Read more>>

Shangshu Shi

I wrote an entire concept album at the end of my undergraduate years as my final portofolio. It took me around 2 years to finally finish the album. It starts at my worst moment where I found myself troubled by all the problems: Relationship, academic, future, self-doubt, you name it. Read more>>

Quaran Ahmad

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is BURN, which is a docu-series and event series describing the lives of Howard students and artists in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. Inspired by the “burning bowl” ritual, this project looks to help inspire individuals to dispel toxic traits and visualize a path for their future. Read more>>

Hicham Abou-Jaoude

Since the inception of Among Friends in 2022, our primary goal has been to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community centered around dance music. Building on this foundation, the most recent meaningful project I’ve had the opportunity to work on is the creation of our record label, Among Friends Records. Read more>>

Sara Weir

At 37 I fell pregnant. I just love saying it that way. So many ironic layers. It was a very much unwanted pregnancy. My youngest at the time was 6, 7 when she was born. Then, just as I was wrapping my head around having a fifth child we learned she would have Down syndrome. So many fears plagued the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Read more>>

Brenna MacMillan

Music has been in my life from the beginning, and I am very grateful for that. From an early age I was singing and performing with a variety of groups… family, church, local bands, talent shows, festivals, that sort of thing. I got to be part of different recording projects as well, including a couple of albums with a band that my brother and I started. Read more>>

Eric Luongo

I am working to create an outdoor museum featuring Van Gogh-inspired pieces, other post-impressionist artists, as well as original works. This project was born out of a desire to counter the negativity of the pandemic era and to foster a sense of community through art within my small historic village and beyond. Read more>>

Ching Bling

Every event I have is so meaningful to me. I believe I get a chance to connect with the community in a positive and uplifting way. I believe everyone should feel, seen, heard and complimented. The world can be so cruel. I hope my events can be a safe space. Read more>>

Barry McLeod

Divorce N’ Us is a romantic comedy play I wrote, directed, produced and starred in. I composed the soundtrack, and I won an award at a theater festival in Shreveport, L.A. for this play. This is the first production that I deliberately strategically structured to present a full hour and fifteen minutes of non-stop fun with laughs and tears. Read more>>

Lex Marie

In 2022, I began creating a series of artworks crafted from school supplies to explore the challenges children face within the American public school system. This series was sparked by my son’s stories from his early school years, which prompted me to reflect on my own educational experiences and those of others across generations. Read more>>

Aaron Dsouza

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my thesis short film “Caroline,” which I created while graduating from the American Film Institute with a specialization in editing. I served as the editor for this film, dedicating nearly five months to its completion. Read more>>

Ejival

Static Discos, my record label, was founded 22 years ago as a collaborative project involving other artists in selecting and producing music. Over time, it has evolved into a solo project that still allows me to connect with like-minded individuals. I miss being part of a collective effort, sharing ideas, and dreams in a meaningful way. Although I respect individuality, I am not a big fan of it. Read more>>

Britt Samuels

One of my most meaningful projects has been a collaboration with the largest hotel in Orange County, California with Hilton Anaheim. We started a series called “Canvas Conversations” and it’s a rotating exhibit with a new focus every one to two months. Read more>>

Zhongqi Fu

The most meaningful project to me is the YoYo, which was honored as a Red Dot Winner in 2024. This project holds particular significance due to my personal background and the societal issues it addresses. Born and raised in China, I’ve witnessed many friends grow up separated from their parents during their early childhoods. Read more>>

Ali Smith

The first of a few meaningful projects that changed my life and my career was my first book Laws of the Bandit Queens (Three Rivers Press/ Random House). It’s not the best of my books in that I was much younger and less experienced ( I would have done it much better now), but it’s full of heart and pure intent! Read more>>