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.

Fred Villanueva

Artist Statement Sylvan I-30 Underpass Beautification About the Project In November 2019, after several years of determined effort with the City of Dallas and the Texas Department of Transportation, Kate Bouchillon approached artist Fred Villanueva of Ash Studios to create a concept image that would embody the project’s intent: Read more>>

Emily Gipson

Creating and building ATX TV over the past eleven years has been such an incredible adventure. More than I could have ever dreamed. It expands so many different areas that I care deeply about, including bringing together a community ofs TV fans, industry leaders, actors and more to learn, talk and celebrate TV of all genres. Read more>>

Nick Galbincea

I think over the past 3 years the most meaningful project for Wake Magnolia was first and foremost, surviving Covid as a band. A lot of bands called it “quits” during 2020, especially when no one was playing out. Second, it would be recording, releasing and promoting our first full length album, “Shadow Cast Light”. During this time, we were recording this record and took the down time from playing shows to learn more about the “business side” of music. Read more>>

Cal Stamp

This solo record I’m about to release is the first time I’ve stepped forward as my own artist. It’s my first time playing my own songs and singing with my own voice. For the bulk of my career, I was a sideman attempting to leverage my skills and sensibilities to help realize and elevate the vision of a front man. Read more>>

Ronnie Alpha

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is an album that I dropped called “Emerald Isles”. It’s an album that was created in 2020 and released in December that year, fully produced by one of my homies named Mute Won. It means a lot because of the story I was able to tell. Read more>>

Seth Birch

Currently working on a very meaningful project, growing up i was always taught to have this deep respect for nature and the environment. I was also allowed to do whatever I wanted with the crafts supplies. Origami, duct tape wallet and clothing were staples and I remember my childhood friend and I teaching and selling the origami. Read more>>

Christian Curtis

Christian Curtis, a rising star in the entertainment industry, has made a remarkable impact as an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. Beginning his artistic journey in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Curtis captivated audiences with his magnetic performances in local plays, including leading roles in “Crazy for You: Read more>>

K. Murph

To be honest, I’d have to say it’s a strong tie between “They Grey Area” and “Church On Saturday”. Both are very meaningful and very special, Grey area because I touch a lot on my life and the way my siblings and I grew up. I feel like we lived a very peculiar life and although I don’t go too deep into any one topic, I touch basis on a lot of things we experienced growing up and how I viewed and felt about them from a personal perspective. Read more>>

Ana Falteisek

In 2022, we started a commission free art gallery out of an apartment unit in downtown Phoenix. It all began with renting the space as my work studio. This area is known as Roosevelt Row Arts District. The first friday of each month, there is a large “First Friday” street fair and our building was right in the center of the action. Read more>>

Miriam Kruishoop

As an artist my intention is to make sure all my projects are meaningful. At least to me. Earlier in my career projects were meaningful because they were milestones. The first time I won an award or worked with a well-known actor. But of course it’s amazing when you find your voice and know that you want to talk about real issues that resonate with people. Read more>>

Janardana Das

Since October, my life has taken a transformative turn as I fully embraced the path of a monk. I have dedicated my time and energy to serving our Gaudiya Vedanta Outreach center in Hollywood, Florida, under the wise guidance of my guru and esteemed master painter, Srimati Syamarani “Didi” Devi Dasi. Read more>>

Gillian DiPofi

I grew up in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. Home is a very important feeling for me and every time I go back, I am overcome with feelings of nostalgia. In the last few months, I have created a series of paintings that showcase places I frequented while growing up in that area. They all have a special place in my mind and I am always writing down new places to paint. Read more>>

Ralitsa Georgieva

1.Creating a volunteer ongoing benefit concert series to raise funds and bring awareness to the life and needs of children and youth at risk. Created right here, in Cleveland, in 2014. Supported organizations are UNICEF, Bessie’s Angels-Cleveland based organization, helping young women who aged out of foster care  Read more>>

Grey Coutts

Discovering The Energy Portrait Read more>>

Trey (Xotrey) Mullin

My upcoming song “Agony” holds a real special place in my soul. It’s an important milestone for me, being the first project I’ve worked on and will release following my debut album. When I set out to write my album, I poured the deepest sanctions of my heart into the lyricism, really aiming to tell my whole story across 12 tracks. Read more>>

Nick Leydorf

I’m recording my first comedy special this September in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Actually, I guess you could say that I’m re-recording my first special. I recorded for the first time in April 2022 but the video ended up being unusable. When I found that out about a year later from the person that recorded it, Read more>>

Zak Ashburn

My thesis work dealing with the hybridity of my identity, being first generation Filipino as well as a child of the Appalachian South. Read more>>

Marquin Campbell

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is developing Needlepoint Canvases to sell. I was taught how to Needlepoint over twenty years ago by a great friend. In my years of stitching, I sewed belts, stockings, ornaments, and little pillows. During COVID, my husband and our two young children moved to rural Spain. Read more>>

Tara Gillespie

Over the last four years, my art has matured to become more than just something beautiful to view. As my works are layered in materials, they are also layered in meaning and many now incorporate mindfulness concepts. I think this was a result of the anxiety and stress I felt during covid and my finding value in mindfulness practices. Read more>>

Tally Bandz

My name is Tally Bandz. I’m the Queen of Bad B*tch Music and I’m from Richmond VA born and raised. My single “Show Me” was released on May 5 2023. I am super excited to release this song because this is my first R&B single where I am singing. I am a rapper, model and actress and I usually make sexy trap songs, but I wanted to dive in and be a little more diverse with my music. Read more>>

Zachary Williams

One of the most meaningful projects Ive worked on is the new album I’m currently in the studio recording right now. This will be my second release as a solo artist and my first full length album so it has been quite an undertaking! Most people really don’t understand what it’s like to try to produce music and how much work, money, and time that it takes. Read more>>

Paul vinsonhaler

Aside from my new Black Metal project I started this year Blood Resignation, I would say the most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been my new band Susurra. We released our first EP last year and we have a new full length LP coming later this year (singles coming soon). I would consider this project meaningful because it is a very personal project for both of us. Read more>>

Joni Fornelli

I am very inspired to delve into relational healing with each other, our ancestors and the land we inhabit. I received a vision years ago of hosting small gatherings among people called “Grandma’s Apron and Grandpa’s Hat, Stories of the Heart Around the Hearth. We explore ways of listening to our ancestors, evoking hospitality, Read more>>

Jessica Smith

I want to say that all of my projects are meaningful. Everything that I create has a backstory and a meaning for me. Every piece is a part of me and my journey. But if I had to pick, I would pick my butterfly and hummingbird pieces. I have always loved butterflies but they took on a whole new meaning for me June 10, 2018, when my godmother passed away. She was a big influence in my life and taught me so much. Read more>>

Alessia Cruci

The very first short film I’ve produced has thus far been the most meaningful one. It was early summer when the creatives reached out to me to produce the short film “D-Day for Denise.” I’d never produced a short film before, and I had barely even been on set, yet the excitement that that project brought me was incomparable. Just a few months prior, I had learned what a creative producer does, and I decided to pursue that, so this was my shot at getting out there and working on my craft. Read more>>

David Ruggeri

One significant and meaningful piece of work that I created is titled “Banned Books.” This piece serves as a powerful medium for expressing the significance of intellectual freedom and the consequences of censorship. “Banned Books” is 48” x 48” acrylic and spray paint on banned book pages on canvas. The book pages come from 1984, Animal Farm, Brave New World, Catcher in The Rye, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Lord Of The Flies, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Kite Runner, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Tom Sawyer. Read more>>

TheeMittenPrincess

I created my latest single “What am I Doin?” This year early March and released it during the end of March on my birthday. It was honestly a hectic time, my lease was over, I throwing everything I owned away and leaving my birth place (Lansing Mi) I initially wrote the song during a period of depression where I was fighting every day to get up & go to my current job at speedway, Read more>>

Cindy Maram

I’ve worked on various film projects over the years and there are a few highlights and very meaningful ones that come to mind. The first of which would be one that I have discussed time and time again, and that is our Max feature film “Women Is Losers”, which was released October 25, 2021. The film, which I served as a producer on, has some of the most talented actors, Read more>>

Yan Pang

I’m thrilled to introduce you to a meaningful project that I’m bringing to life – Yan Pang Create, a 45-minute, one-act musical opera. This innovative production blends Chinese operatic tradition with American street dance, aiming to enrich the cultural experience of Minnesotans and beyond. Read more>>

Heather Rose Artushin

I’m currently writing my first novel inspired by my college best friend who was from Nepal and ended up being diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that can have serious implications. I remember even back then, the light and presence she brought to the world around her was truly one-of-a-kind; she always knew she wanted to make a difference. Read more>>

Kathryn Fulp

It started in 2021. My partner was attending a party held by one of his professors at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I met the host, a joyful, kind, and overwhelmingly curious director of primarily film and television, named Peter Werner. In 1976 he won an Oscar for a narrative short he’d made while attending AFI, but bemoaned the fact that the only print he had of it had been degraded over time. Read more>>

Mallory Howard

One of the things I’m most proud of with Creative Purpose is our “End It Movement Bracelets.” The End It Movement is a coalition of organizations that are actively fighting against human trafficking & other forms of modern day slavery around the world. Not only does 15% of each bracelet purchase goes to support the End It Movement, Read more>>