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?

Susan Mastrangelo

I have had several projects throughout my years which stand out as significant, but two stand out as profoundly meaningful. During my years teaching full time, I worked in wood, plaster, resin and rubber. Over a period of several decades I found my work becoming more figurative, and in 1997 I began to focus on sculpted faces, heads, figures, installations, and finally flat dangling figures. In 2013 I created an installtion of figures on the walls of St. Peters Church, Citicorp building in midtown New York City reflecting the personalities and activities taking place outside. There was a man from a shelter who came in every day to pick up his mail and he was in the process of getting a job. He told me my entire installation gave him the hope he needed to keep pursuing his dream. Read more>>

Victor Del Rio

The most meaningful project that I’ve ever worked on has to be my film “Ed”. Primarily because it is the first project that I ever wrote, directed, produced and starred in. I was engaged in every step of the process and I am just finally being able to take my foot off the gas with it as we await our first festival premiere. The backstory to “Ed” started a little over a year ago. With the writers & actors strike well underway, I found myself working as a live-in property manger in NYC while still searching for the little work that was out there.  It’s safe to say, that the acting jobs weren’t coming in and I felt myself getting further away from what it was that I truly wanted to do as an artist and closer towards a very demanding, high stress, on-call job for which I had no true interest in.  Read more>>

Crystal Fawn

One of my most meaningful projects, and there are many, was a recent one focused on communal rituals. When I was growing up, my mother Spiritualist Julie—a prominent psychic who has been a guest on Maury Povich and was featured in the HBO Max Documentary, Call Me Miss Cleo—was always taking me to moon festivals, new age expos, and solstice celebrations. Half of our activities she researched on her own or made up on the fly, but it was just as real as going to church or temple on the regular. When I had my daughter, I realized the whole endeavor had come full circle and it was time to step into the family tradition of celebrating spiritual moments together. I created Four Seasons, a series of printed booklets, to inspire people to do the same. Empowering people to design their own rituals and habits not in service of manifesting their best life as a singular individual, but instead to create community and participate in a collective spiritual experience. Read more>>

Ellen Gable

My 12th book, Where Angels Pass, has been the most meaningful book I’ve worked on. The 2018 accusations against Cardinal McCarrick and the knowledge that the Catholic clergy abuse crisis was more widespread than earlier thought gave me the necessary motivation to finally write this book. Although it is a novel, it is based on the true story of my father’s abuse by a Catholic priest at age 14 and the consequences of this abuse on his life and the lives of his spouse and children. Despite this abuse, my father remained a practicing Catholic until he passed away suddenly when I was a young teen. It took 40 years to write this book, but it was important to share his story and my own story as a family member of an abuse survivor.  Read more>>

Mankun Guo

I had this wonderful experience studying type design with Professor Richard Lipton during my undergrad studies at RISD. Before moving to the screen, he introduced experimentation with pens as the first step in making a font. Richard had us use broad-nib pens to see how changing the pen’s angle could create different strokes. It is fascinating that when you write an entire alphabet with the same pen and in a consistent way, the letters naturally form a cohesive type family. The traces of that tool leave a unique mark embedded in each letterform, giving it character, unity, and a sense of origin. I believe that anyone can use a unique writing tool to create letters that are unique and consistent while still leaving room for variations. Read more>>

Bella Logan

The most meaningful project I have worked on has to be the Garden of Eden. The biblical story of Adam and Eve served as the inspiration for this work of art. As a result, I set out to employ cutting-edge technology to construct an edited version of what I believed living in the garden during that time would have been like. Furthermore, being trans and a member of the LGBTQ+ community might make me feel like the forbidden fruit at times. Or rather, who I love is prohibited. So, I chose to immerse myself in a moment when genuine love originated and the time when my form of love became “forbidden”. Read more>>

Mae Chandran

Being one of the eight contestants chosen to be on pbs 2024 (Season 3)”The Great American Recipe” has been an honor for me – a culmination of all my experience as a home cook and the awards and accalades I have received through the years. The other project that has been extremely meaningful to me is writing my memoirs. For years my story has been like a volcano inside me waiting to explode so I had to write my story. I was born in China in an era when the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the only Act passed by Congress that was directed at an ethic group – the Chinese- deeply affected my life as well as the lives of millions of other Chinese. Yet presently this sad chapter of American history has been forgotton and never taught in our schools while the rebeverations still run deep in the annals and very fabric that make up the history of the Chinese-Americans. Read more>>

Aretha Tatum

Seasoned The Series is my most meaningful project to date. Seasoned was a short film I made in 2021 as the world was opening back up after the shut-down resulting from the pandemic. The short film was about a group of women who decided to finally start a singing group 30 years after college. The message of the film was to remind people over 50 that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. You’ve lived your life. Now, live your dream is the tag line. I submitted the short film to festivals. The short film got the attention of another indie filmmaker in Chicago, Andre Blaze Rodgers. He knew one of the cast members, Tracy R. Kincaide and asked her if she could set up a meeting. We talked and he suggested that I turn Seasoned into a series. After that I wrote the first three episodes and we went into production and what started as a short film evolved into a dramedy musical series with a majority of the cast over the age of 50. It brings me joy to be able to create an opportunity for older people. Read more>>

Cody Digerolamo

Next month, I’ll be releasing a new single called Nothing but Love, the first song I ever wrote for my wife. It reflects on the small, everyday moments that define our relationship—the quiet spaces where love exists. I’m excited to share it with the world, along with a music video directed by I Heart Creative, which was shot on Super 8. Nothing but Love doesn’t aim to be grand or complicated. Its honest, simple chorus—’I’ve got nothing but love for you’—expresses what words often fail to capture. Read more>>

Grace Grell

As an artist, I have dedicated my craft to giving back. I started creating art as a child as a way to express myself. As I got older, I was able to use my passion for good. When I was three, I was diagnosed with a rare condition that lead to 18 months of chemotherapy. I was in remission for ten years when I found out I would be doing a second round. I found myself leaning on art during this time. During my second round of treatment, I got introduced to Make-A-Wish . I received my wish to go to the Bahamas and swim with the dolphins. When I got home, I knew I wanted to help them make this happen for others. So, Gift with Grace was created. An organization where I use my love and passion to give back. This has been an incredibly meaningful experience. Gift with Grace has been growing and supporting charities world wide for almost ten years. Read more>>

Sasha Merci

As a stand-up comic, I’ve always found joy in co-founding *Morir Soñando*, a showcase dedicated to elevating Dominican voices and celebrating our unique perspectives in comedy. It’s been a powerful way to build a community and create space for Dominican comedians to shine. But recently, I’ve embarked on a journey that has transformed me in ways I never anticipated. I’m currently starring in *LA Egotista*, a play written by Erlina Ortiz, and it has profoundly changed my life—not just as an entertainer, but as a human being, a sibling, and a soul constantly striving for better life. This project embodies everything I love about storytelling: it’s raw, it’s vulnerable, and it delves into the complex, intimate relationships we hold with our family members and ourselves. *LA Egotista* has pushed me to explore parts of myself I hadn’t yet tapped into, helping me better understand who I am beyond the stage. Read more>>

Aoran Ma

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the McDonald’s Holy Bible design project, where I transformed McDonald’s into a symbolic belief system, using AI-generated imagery to critique consumerism. The idea was to present McDonald’s not just as a restaurant but as a cultural institution, representing how commercial enterprises can shape our values and beliefs in subtle ways. The project was satirical and thought-provoking, pushing boundaries with AI and technology to question how consumer culture becomes a form of modern-day worship. Read more>>

Starse3d

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on, aside from doing session work with hundreds of musicians from around the globe and performing as a guitarist/vocalist in numerous bands, has been working on my original music in STARSE3D. Writing, recording and producing music for my solo project has definitely been a cathartic, almost spiritual release. For over a decade it has allowed me an outlet to express myself, and in turn help others through my art. Music is healing, and being able to put my work out there and hear how it’s inspired people or got them through life is really powerful and meaningful to me. Read more>>

A Beautiful Dae

My song “Damsel in Distress” is one of the most meaningful projects I have worked on thus far. Not many people know, but I’ve lived a very challenging life due to medical illness and childhood trauma. Once upon a time, A Beautiful Dae fell in love and got married, expecting a happily ever after, but ending in disaster instead. The events that led up to my divorce left me shattered and at the lowest, I had ever been in life. The self-hatred was overwhelming. I remember crying to my mother and best friend about how all the fairy tales and Disney movies lied to me and gave me all this false hope. It was in the midst of my breakdown that the lyrics began to form. The song started as a way to let my heart grieve and became an encouraging love letter to my inner child. I didn’t even plan to release the song because of how painful it was to sing it. But after sharing it with a few friends, they convinced me, and now it’s one of my most requested songs. So many people have reached out to me to express how much they resonate with the lyrics and how it has encouraged them to keep moving. It brings me incredible joy to know that something so beautiful, healing, and inspiring came from that pain. Makes it all worth it for me. Read more>>

Gabe And Alyssa Beck

We (Gabe and Alyssa Beck) moved to Memphis in 2021 and started our “Coffee Shop Hoppers” Instagram page that same spring, thinking it would be a fun, creative outlet that we could do together. We were already visiting the best coffee shops anywhere we traveled (and at home), so we thought, “Why not share this?” At the time, we didn’t know just how much it would connect us to our community here in Memphis! The more we developed our online presence, the more we connected with local coffee shops; and it soon became our way of showing some love to this city we’d become quite attached to. This started us on a path of finding ways to contribute positively to the coffee community, which is where the idea of a “Memphis Summer Coffee Shop Hop” came from.  Read more>>

Greg Hausler

Two of the most meaningful projects were my solo show in Greensboro, North Carolina, in September 2023, followed by another solo exhibition in July 2024 in Goldsboro, NC. After researching, I discovered that I could reserve a space in downtown Greensboro through the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for a few days to exhibit my paintings. I learned several, invaluable lessons in self-promotion that garnered a television interview, a live podcast interview, and a couple of articles. As a result, after the first show, the Arts Council of Wayne County director asked me if I was interested in a solo exhibition at their gallery. I couldn’t help but say a resounding “Yes”! Who gets to do two solo shows back-to-back? Read more>>

Crymson Pleasure

2013 I got tired of the lack of representation of female/femme presenting people. I grabbed some ladies on Facebook and we created a Facebook page. Real Women of Gaming. At first we were just a bunch of women who were combating the negative female gamer ‘gamer girl’ stereotype. It was a start in the right direction but after 11 years and a ton of good and bad decisions, I’ve never been prouder or been a part of more rewarding experience. Five women on Facebook turned to nearly 30 volunteers, countless charity events to raise about 15k for various charities, meeting some of the most amazing people in the world, having the greatest found family that I could have asked for and support that is a chefs kiss. LOL If I sound like I’m boasting, I am. I am incredibly lucky to work with some of the most wonderful, caring people in the world. We come together for each other and our community. We consist of multiple races, genders, religions, sexualities and backgrounds. These people are my superheroes. Hands down. Read more>>

Majo Felix

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on several meaningful projects that have shaped my path as a composer. At Novel Effect, I contributed to the interactive audio app by writing music and creating original sound effects that responded in real-time to storytelling, enriching the user experience by making sound an integral part of the narrative. This work is meaningful to me because the app has been proven to improve reading comprehension and engagement in children through music and sound. It enhances their ability to follow along and interpret the story’s meaning, making reading a fun and educational experience that strengthens their literacy skills while building a positive association with books. Being part of this is very meaningful to me. Read more>>

Marlene Smith

My passion for native plants and sustainable landscaping practices led me to cofound and charter Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, a local chapter of the national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes. Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay is located in southern Maryland and serves Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Prince Georges, and Anne Arundel counties. As a local chapter, we are deeply rooted in natives, connecting people and native plants for a healthy planet. We’re not just an organization; we’re a “boots-on-the-ground” movement, a community that celebrates the beauty and benefits of native plants to support a healthier planet. Our members play a crucial role in protecting native habitats, supporting public native garden projects, and providing valuable educational resources. Read more>>

Paul Daily

I’ve been extremely fortunate to work almost exclusively on meaningful projects, whether they were personally meaningful or meaningful to the community at large. I think that’s the joy of being an artist – you can choose to make your work meaningful. In fact, my father always asks me why I don’t do escapism. I choose not to do escapism because it does not feel meaningful to me, even while I acknowledge it has an important place in our lives. Read more>>

A. K. Frailey

If a story isn’t meaningful to me, I don’t write it. My OldEarth Encounter series focused on early humanity and our struggle to deal with supernatural realities, our understanding of God and humanity’s place in the world, counter-balanced by a larger universe of aliens with their wider perspectives, observing the human race’s development. Contrasting personal and individual identity crises against the human race’s identity in a universal setting allowed me to consider the ramifications of my own actions in a bigger setting. How does each person alive today affect the world in which he or she lives? Read more>>

2b1 Energy

In March 2010, I had been arrested on some janky charges while operating a pedicab. Almost a year went by before the charges were dismissed. What’s worse? It would take another five years before I received a small amount of compensation from my ordeal. Meanwhile during those dreaded five years, one of my pedicab associates (Maurice Ortiz bka Mo) asked if I wanted to shoot some pool to help with the stress I was going through. I grew up with a pool table and played quite a bit while in the army. The problem was I could never beat him. Mo was a professional pool player, but I didn’t know it at the time. Read more>>

Aidan Mclellan

In the Winter of 2023 and the Spring of 2024, I was working on a project entitled “I’ll treat you like one, if you treat me like one.” It began as a desire to work on a documentary photography project. Specifically a project in which I felt like I was a sufficient enough delegate for the community I wished to represent.  And that lead me to begin working in a small, coastal town eerily akin to one of the towns I grew up in.  But as I frequented this new area, I continued to ask myself one question. That being: Why am I going to a place that reminds me so much of my childhood, when I meet most of my childhood memories with intense discomfort? Read more>>

Amy Nicholson

By far the most meaningful project I have ever worked on is the feature-length documentary I just finished. It’s titled HAPPY CAMPERS and it chronicles the final season of a working-class summer colony on an island off the coast of Virginia. Documentaries typically take over your life for years on end, and this one was no different. But what made it special was what I got out of it on a personal level. Sure, I learned to shoot by myself – and I now reeeeaaaally appreciate every talented DP I’ve ever worked with. And I pushed to employ a very different and difficult editing style with its own unique structure, which was no picnic. This was also the first film I’ve ever hired a composer to score. However (pause), now that its finished and out into the world, what stays with me is what the stars of the film taught me. Read more>>

Libby Tisler

My most meaningful project to date is my most recent release. I wrote and recorded and released a 6 track EP titled “Hopping Dimensions” all about finding myself and seeking joy, happiness and positivity. It originated from a very vivid dream I had one night and from there, I crafted the songs around it to unfold a coming of age story of sorts. I love the journey that the EP takes you on while listening in order. Emerging from a place of sadness and shifting mindset to seek out a more joyous life. Read more>>

Jennifer Ward

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was illustrating a children’s book called The Junk Bike Crew and Mattie’s Match. This project holds a special place in my heart because it was created to help kids with cancer and raise awareness about the urgent need for bone marrow donors. The book also pointed readers to ‘Be The Match,’ a remarkable organization dedicated to connecting patients with life-saving donors. Read more>>

Annine Fan Zhang

Throughout all the shorts and features I’ve been involved in, I’m particularly proud of a passion project I produced—a small yet award-winning short film titled *No Worries*, a coming-of-age drama. What made this film unique was its use of the Hokkien language, a dialect from my hometown, Xiamen, a small island in southern China. Only about 2% of Chinese people understand Hokkien. This film was a tribute to our beloved hometown. For me, leading this project wasn’t just about producing—it also involved planning the film festival circuit, which broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the festival world. Read more>>

Yang Qian

For me, the most meaningful project must be my first attempt at a picture book project. It originates from the affection for my kitten and the close connection between human beings and pet animals. The story is about a cat in heaven works hard to get a ticket to return to the real world. He goes back to the little girl as a stuffed toy. Although the girl’s parents can’t see and don’t believe it, the girl knows that her kitten comes back to see her. However, as the kitten’s body becomes more and more transparent, the girl realizes that it’s their time to say goodbye. One night, the kitten left quietly, leaving a note with cat paw prints. Read more>>