Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful.
Sophia Deng
In July of 2022 I wrote and illustrated a piece for The New York Times on motherhood and choices shortly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. When it happened, I was also experiencing personal issues that made me reflect on coping mechanisms I developed because of fraught parental relationships in the past, largely due to the immense stress they felt from being working-class immigrants and caretakers. Read more>>
Lisa D’Amico
My most meaningful project is my current painting series which is still in progress. I’ve called the series ‘Sonic’ because sound releases an avalanche of meaningful elements which are otherwise suppressed by silence. I’ve used traditional artistic techniques and themes of portraiture while giving historical female subjects contemporary voices. I utilized acrylic and resin paired with vibrant colors and abstract backgrounds for this artistic journey. Read more>>
Aaron Grayum
One project that’s particularly meaningful to me is my “Love Each Other” mural in downtown Nashville. In the summer of 2020, many cities around the U.S. experienced days of unrest following the verdict in the George Floyd case. Downtown Nashville was no exception, with looting and smashed windows along 2nd Avenue. Read more>>
Sophia Li
As someone who has struggled with chronic health conditions since childhood, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of food as medicine. So, when my summer internship was canceled in 2020 due to COVID, I decided to move to a homestead in southern Vermont for three months to gain a deeper understanding of organic food and regenerative agriculture. I created my first photography project, Homegrown, as a means of documenting my journey. Read more>>
Crue Verse
I recently finished my first project of a series titled The Current. The project series represents life displaying various currents or patterns to travel. The first is comprised of songs inspired from a current that I traveled which led me see love scenarios at face value. There I self reflect on the bittersweet moments and unwanted solutions that come when creating love. Read more>>
Jamie Hogan
I illustrated a children’s book about light pollution titled Skywatcher. I learned quite a bit during research that gave me more material than could fit in a picture book. I do not have an agent, so I submitted to publishers every six months, and each time, the book evolved. It was a worthy process! Read more>>
Kelli Cox
There is no one particular project that I’ve worked on that I would label as the most meaningful. Instead, I’ve created an entire genre of portraits that I know are a part of my life’s purpose. Read more>>
Kamiah Vickers
Winter of 2021, I had an interesting play idea that I thought loosely of. I knew I wanted to write, and that I was passionate about creating a play that features black actors, but I didn’t have the idea fully developed. Small spurts of the play started forming, and after 6 months of strict writing, a play formed. Read more>>
L.E. Harper
By far the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my new novel, Kill Your Darlings. I’ve struggled with my mental health for years, and during that time, I believed it was best to hide how I was suffering. I didn’t want to be a burden to my friends and family, so I isolated myself. I thought there was no reason or excuse for my depression, anxiety, and PTSD, so I never spoke of it—but of course, hiding one’s mental illness often exacerbates one’s symptoms. Read more>>
Melissa Lew
As a jewelry designer, I’ve created custom designs for a variety of museums and attractions. From creating a necklace to celebrate Fiona the Hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo to jewelry that raises money for the Houston Zoo’s sea turtle rehabilitation program to designs that celebrate my love of musicals at the Kennedy Center, I am grateful to say that each project has been meaningful to me in some way. Read more>>
Preston Gunderson
Recently, my new album “Fall” was released and it was such an important record for me. Having a 6+ year relationship end, it really helped me process a lot of complex emotions that weren’t super easy on my own. Not only did it help me process the loss, it helped keep me engaged with my songwriting process and work more collaboratively with others, too. Read more>>
Daniel G Garza
My spiritual life coaching program is the most meaningful project I have worked on lately. During the lockdown, I decided to get my life coaching certification. Grace L. Lawson with Rainbow Soul Circle offers a life coaching program and with time down it was a perfect time. I looked around and wanted something different so I created The Alignment. Read more>>
Andrea Haschart
The most meaningful projects for me are those where I interview my clients’ customers and get to know them on a deeper level. This is how I uncover their success stories and show their amazing transformations. I’m naturally curious, ask open-ended questions, and put people at ease, which helps get them talking and sharing about themselves. Read more>>
Tristian Griffin
Collaboration. That’s the base to the most meaningful projects. To have a conversation with another artist about ideas, themes, and vision surfaces profound productions. I have been blessed to collaboration with some incredible artists. To name a few, Calvin Arsenia, Wolfe Brack, Andy Newcom & Marn Jensen (Art of the Wish), Glenn North, Jose Faus, and so many more. Read more>>
Pat Scull
As an artist, there are often occurrences in life that change the trajectory of of what and how to create. Being an artist for the last few years with the pandemic in full swing has been challenging. Although a lot of us do spend many hours alone pursuing our art ,we also present our work to the public, meet with fellow artists, teach, and travel to do these things. Read more>>
Gena Perala
I mean all my projects are meaningful to me in their own way and for different reasons but if I had to choose, I’d say two are especially so. My first full-length album, Exactly Nowhere (available on all streaming sites btw), was such a special experience. The title track was written in some of my darkest days and really completed the album. Read more>>
Derek Pentz
The most meaningful project I did was to En Plein Air paint in full drag at the Upper Chesapeake Bay pride festival in my hometown of Havre de Grace, MD this past October 2022. I had been studying En Plein Air painting, or painting outdoors in public, all year and noticed that this style of painting is a performance that I can incorporate brand theatrics into. Read more>>
Hannelore Vandenbussche
I embarked on my first project in 2009 after finishing my degree in photography. When I traveled the world for the ‘Before They Pass Away’ project, I was intrigued by the games indigenous people play. These games were nothing like the sports we are familiar with like soccer, but rather unknown games like the Ethiopian Donga Stick fights. Read more>>
Lulu Yo
Currently, the most meaningful project is my visual thesis during the MFA program -Two Stories, a graphic novel with two fictional thriller stories of the memories of a trip of the couple, Geoff and Mary, from each point of view. Read more>>
Chris Tyler
My most recent project actually, in collaboration with a recording artist by the name of Basi Vibe. Basi is someone I love and respect, as chosen family, as an artist, and as a human being. We met a few years ago by way of a mutual friend, and connected quickly over shared music taste. One day he called to loop me in on a music video he had in mind–a funeral repass to symbolize the mourning of a recently ended relationship. Read more>>
David Luther
This is such a great topic! I could talk about these all day. When I read the question, one particular project popped into my mind immediately. In 2015 I was invited to a session at weights and measures studio in Kansas City by David George. I hadn’t known him very long, but I felt pretty honored to have been asked to write a verse and sing on a collaboration of Kansas City based musicians to benefit the ACLU at a time when immigration issues were on the rise. Read more>>
Payton Kennedy
One of the most meaningful projects that I’ve been blessed to be apart of, was a project from 2020. My homie Swavi had dm’ed me and I sent him some beats. They ended being two of the most streamed songs on the project. The first beat I sent him was a Batcave. Its one of my favorite beats Ive made. Tiny Pants And Ascots was also his first release on all platforms. Read more>>
Tiffany Waugh
Most of my pieces are custom so I take into account that each piece is extremely sentimental and important to the client who requested it. I ask the client to send as many reference photos as possible and usually and effortlessly, they spill all the details of what makes that pet or person, that favorite place, that treasured item, so meaningful to them without me even asking. That helps me empathize and find the focus of the portrait. Read more>>
Stephen Bowling
I got the idea for my first children’s book, Calvin the Christmas Tree from a personal experience I had on Christmas Eve a few years ago. I’m from Connecticut and I was visiting some friends in South Carolina. There were various families staying at a large cottage, and we all arrived a few days before Christmas. On Christmas Eve the ladies in our group decided we should have Christmas Tree and sent the men out on the task of buying a real tree. Read more>>
Julie Himel
It’s my hope that each new body of work will feel more meaningful than the next, and will grow in language and reach. I feel that’s the case with what I’m working on currently. There is a shift in my painting process on this new series that digs a little deeper into contemporary life as a human in relation to the natural environment. I’m allowing the influences of the images of social media and Artificial Intelligence to come into the work. Read more>>
Helena Summerfield
The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is Jazz North’s ‘Jazz Camp for Girls’. As a young female musician I lost count of the number of times that I was told I was “good for a girl” or that I did not “sound like a girl” when I played my saxophone. It was normal for me to be the only girl in the jazz band or at least to be the only girl who did not mind playing improvised solos. Read more>>
Kaleena Sorenson
To be honest, many of my projects have been quite meaningful to me. I often draw inspiration from meaningful moments and special circumstances. I can more quickly and easily “get into the zone” when I work on something that is not only meaningful to me, but that I hope will be relatable and meaningful to others as well. Read more>>
Katrina Weston
My most meaningful project that I’ve worked on were the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that I had the honor of customizing for a customer. It meant so much to me for two reasons: 1- my customer wanted the dolls to gift them to her mother. Her mom had made her a set of these dolls when she was a child. They had gotten lost many years ago during a move. Read more>>
Steve Pavlovsky
Playing at Madison Square Garden for a sold out crowd of 20,000 is the most meaningful show of my career, and one I cherish the memories of. The band was the legendary Allman Brothers, getting together for one more concert, on their 50th anniversary. We had a huge, video mapped mushroom hanging above the band, which we projected I live liquid light show onto. Read more>>
Akilah Divine
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was creating a space that is intentional for myself and other artists to develop skills, connect with others, and share talents publicly. Visionary Live Studios,LLC is a dedicated space that encourages dynamic and innovative collaboration through unique experiences. I created what I needed and what so many other artists needed. Artists of all disciplines need a low-cost, Read more>>
Deanna Phillips
All my projects are meaningful as they each tell a different story. I work with my clients to bring together their wants and needs and my style of work. My goal for each session is to be able to create an experience rather than just taking their picture. Read more>>
Caley Rose
My Dirty Little Secret to Achieving Success: Read more>>
Laura Harper Lake
A recent series I’ve been working on that means a great deal to me is called Vivid and Vulnerable Vessels. It’s a collection of mixed media paintings, using oils, acrylics, pencil, and spray paint. Read more>>
Stacey Moncoeur
My most oldest project/work would be a painting I haven’t shared online yet. It’s like a personal item, my canvas. I’ve spent months with every detail based off of dreams I’ve had and the picture gets put together slowly within each detail. Some work like this one, makes me want to gatekeep it but at the same time I’ve told myself why should I hide this any longer. Read more>>
Ameen Berjis
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is being a youth advisor for the Inpathy app. Read more>>
Luke Steinke
The most meaningful project we have worked on is our upcoming EP we will be releasing this Spring! Our first 3 singles have been a culmination of songs we wrote while attending Belmont University – showcasing them at our campus pop/rock showcase. This next EP will be a collection of completely new songs. We have been recording at professional studios, have been working hard to make every moment pop – we really feel good about them! Read more>>
Tiffani Alexander
The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on has been producing my documentary mini-series on Nashville’s Hip Hop scene and the city’s Black musical lineage. The project was originally my thesis for graduate school and during the research process, it turned into so much more. Working on the project felt like building community and honoring a story that needed to be told…as our team interviewed artists and historians, the story grew, organically. Read more>>
Michael .T
My most meaningful project to this day has to be the third narrative film I’ve done titled June 22nd. I did two short films and was ready to do a third short film and once the pandemic came around it stopped me from making it. During that time I spent rewriting it extensively. We had about 7 or 8 revisions to it during that time. I spent those months learning how to be a better screenwriter, which helped me a ton.
Meaghan Novoa
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the opportunity to share in many meaningful artistic processes as a dancer and choreographer, including concert dance, festivals, film, TV, and multimedia collaborations. I’ve performed in places such as theaters, galleries, warehouses, and gardens and danced in closets, creeks, and on the edge of a cliff for dance films. Read more>>
Edward Banks
As a single parent disc-jockey and audio engineer concerned with my own children’s poor academics, mentored by educators I developed and facilitated programs in the schools they attended to help combat the negative impacts of pop-culture on youth and the at-risk environments they navigated through. Read more>>
Nauzanin Knight
As the CEO of 1844 Studios, the most meaningful project I have ever worked on is “BE Collective,” a mentorship initiative for entry level film practitioners from the BIPOC and equity-seeking communities. This project aligns perfectly with our company’s mission to build a complete ecosystem that promotes unity and diversity within the film industry. Read more>>
Julie Eddy
I think I’d have to say my new EP “Southbound” that I’m getting ready to release at the end of January. I’ve spent the last year and a half writing and choosing the songs, being in the studio, and shooting the videos/visuals for it and it’s truly been a labor of love. I wrote 6 of the 7 songs with my co-writers and friends and then chose an outside cut for the final track. Read more>>
Tenisha Bernal
August 5, 2020 I sat on the floor of my son’s nursery. We had the floor covered in books. While reading a first 100 words board book I thought to myself, “there must be a first 100 words book for kitchen items.” So I did the obvious thing, I searched Google and Amazon. After a quick search I couldn’t find anything, which bothered me, but I put my phone down and continued reading to my son. Read more>>
Kimberly Exshaw
In 2020, I launched a home decor crochet business. I’ve crocheted for 30+ years so it felt natural and fun to do. I sold pieces regularly on Etsy but then something happened… Read more>>
Sarah Pottle
I feel so lucky that there are so many meaningful projects in my life to choose from! I would say that one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on is the One Year, One Outfit project that we started through the Rust Belt Fibershed back in 2020, where participants created outfits with all materials sourced from within 250 miles of Cleveland, Ohio. Read more>>
Samantha Irwin
This is a hard question..I only have two lines so far and they both mean the world to me. Specifically, my wellness teas are meaningful to me because they are blended to ease symptoms of ailments and help with the literal sense of healing. Which is why I started this business in the first place, I wanted to provide healing. But then there is my zodiac line. Read more>>
ISABELLA YOUNG
The most meaningful project I have worked on is one I started recently. My Youtube where I mainly interview creatives that I work with and who inspire me. In the videos, I include visuals in connection with the subject and ask questions pertaining to their artistic process, networking, and mental health. Read more>>
Blair Lawton
[NOTE: I wasn’t entirely sure which category to choose from the previous page. I’m the Executive Director of the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce; which is a 501c6]. Read more>>