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.

Angela Harvey

My most meaningful project is the one I’m working on now, Black Rainbow a docuseries that tells the stories of black LGBTQ+ couples, individuals, clergy, community activist, and friends. The authentic and transparent stories of love, intimacy, friendship, spirituality, marriage, self-care, community, purpose, and were extracted from the 17 interviews of 28 lovers. The stories reflect the real lives of real people from a community whose culturally relevant stories aren’t being told, seen, shared, or discussed. Read more>>

Sarah Roberts

I am such a sentimental person, and this outlet has rewarded me with many opportunities to connect with others who are also sentimental. I’ve gotten to make rings and earrings for brides to wear on their wedding day, bridesmaids rings, groom and groomsmen bolo ties, re-worked jewelry from grandparents to more modern every-day pieces, and encapsulated a hike into a ring. It’s really hard to pick which one stands out as most meaningful, but I would say that capturing the hike into a ring has been one of my most treasured accomplishments. Read more>>

Becca Farmer

That’s a tough question because I have a hard time being creative if the subject isn’t meaningful to me. Of course, there’s a time to develop skills and try new techniques, but that’s like a program running in the background when I’m creating art. I have to be emotionally immersed in every piece of art I create or I loose interest. With all that said, I have to admit that my “Sad Farewell” painting is the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. It has to do with my community’s history. Read more>>

Charlie Russell

At Animaru Maid Café, everything we do is driven by our passion for environmentalism, humanitarianism, and activism. We have hosted a variety of charity and fundraising events, raising over $1,000 for a variety of causes in the year 2021 alone. Our most recent charity project was known as “Chekis for Ukraine”, during which we offered custom decorated chekis (aka mini Polaroids) to people who donated to help animals affected by the crisis in Ukraine. Unbeknownst to many, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had an extensive effect on their wildlife, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums, and other facilities focused on the welfare of animals. Read more>>

Violette Larsen

The most meaningful project we have worked on so far is our six song record, which we are in the final stages of mixing and mastering!! Oh man, its been a looong time in the making and it is coming together so beautifully. When we (Violette and Brendan) first met, the world began shutting down due to Covid very soon after. It was around the same time people began isolating that we decided we wanted to pursue a music project together, and from there during the following Sleepy Pearls came into fruition. Read more>>

Erika Nina Suárez

I recently returned from a 2 month trip to the Hungarian countryside where my mom’s side of the family is from. This trip was focused on uncovering much of my family’s ancestral history and traditions. Growing up, I spent much of my childhood wedged between two mountains in the village of Hosszúhetény. I could go on about the joyous memories of playing hide-and-seek with my cousins in the rubbled street ’til dark, eating my aunt Zita’s amazing cooking (lecsó is still my go-to comfort food), and even going to summer school to better develop my language skills. Read more>>

Leslie Espino

My piece titled “Tongass Understory” is the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. The US Forest Service had an open comment period on protecting the Tongass National Forest’s old growth forests from development. The Tongass National Forest absorbs and stores more carbon than any other national forest, making it an important global resource against climate change. What other climate change resource requires no development and already exists? Read more>>

Young At Art Museum

Young At Art Museum’s (YAA) Community Initiatives! Art supports our intellectual and emotional needs and should be accessible to all with no boundaries or limits. As a nonprofit, YAA’s mission is to enrich our community through artistic, interactive experiences for all ages which inspire creativity and encourage an understanding of the world in which we live. Our love and support for our community surpasses the divide from geography, ethnicity, economics, and disability to bring the transformative power of art to all. Read more>>

Danielle Ellesse Smith

The most meaningful project I’ve had the pleasure of working on has been my debut music video and short film “Outta Here: Escape the Simulation.” This project has not yet been released because it’s currently in film festival rounds, but it has already received a few Official Selection titles and one Finalist title. The project focuses on what it’s personally like to feel trapped in and surrounded by societal pressures through social media but realizing that I have to find a way out. Read more>>

Anthony Washington

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on, would have to be 2007 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film. Over the past nearly 30 years in the industry, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked on some amazing projects from Comic Books, Video Games and Feature Films. But in 2005 I got the chance of a lifetime to work on one of my all time favorites, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Read more>>

Page Burch

The KSU Master Craftsman program that I run recently worked with the William Root House Museum & Garden in Marietta to complete a memorial monument for enslaved people of the region. Students created designs, met with representatives from the Root House, and ultimately created the finished sculpture. The piece is a serial plane sculpture made from weathering steel, so when it is viewed head-on it appears to be invisible, yet when viewed at an angle a human form appears, standing proudly. Read more>>

Rona Simmons

Shortly after seeing my book of stories of World War II veterans who made their contribution behind the lines published. I connected with another group of people passionate about preserving stories from the war. The group, Stories Behind the Stars, was created to honor the 400,000 Americans who perished during the war and to ensure they and their sacrifices will not be forgotten by future generations. Today hundreds of volunteers have contributed stories to the effort. Read more>>

Daniel Levin

I have been blessed by the opportunity to live a life that is not like that of everyone else. I didn’t always see this as a blessing, in fact growing up I didn’t like it because it made me feel different than others. But over time, as the world started to value innovation, people somehow found me interesting and they invited me into their businesses to sit with their teams and help them innovate by seeing life from a different perspective. The conversations that emerged from these meetings were fabulous and I wanted to see if I could find a way to initiate these conversations in the minds and hearts of people without having to be physically present. i.e. a book. Read more>>

Ashton Green

Definitely my latest project “The Compilation”. Hands down. It’s the culmination of everything that’s happened to me throughout the pandemic. From the passing of my uncle & grandmother, to my physical and mental health struggles, I basically had to start my life over from scratch to make this project happen. Long time ties were severed, tears were shed, and I went through just about every single emotion a thousand times. Also it’s my first ever full length original project!. I developed great friendships with everyone involved in the creation of this project, Read more>>

Shiloh Baby

Most meaningful project is my most recent that I worked on which is a Mixtape called “Forever12” which I dedicated the whole tape to my brother who died this most recent October. The mixtape is full of songs that I feel like mostly symbolizes him and what he stood for and it’ symbolizes how far I’ve come since the tragedy and how it effected me overall. The Mixtape drops May 14th which is his birthday and that’s my present to him he always wanted me to drop a tape and he was well invested in my music so it’s only right I dedicate it all to him . Read more>>

Xavier Hicks

The most meaningful project I ever worked on was my second album “The Xperience”. While working on this project, I wanted my supporters to see what I was capable of doing. From the music to the lyrics I wanted to both give the people an experience while at the same time expressing my experiences in life. Fun fact: during the making of the album the A.C. in my studio went out so it was hot for a good month but I didn’t stop. So you can say I put blood, literal sweat, and tears into this project and I am most proud of it. Read more>>

Jackie Dorsey

First of all, thank you for inviting me to interview. I am really excited to answer this question because the most meaningful project is the one I am working on right now. As background, I moved to Athens about 10 years ago and fell in love with it for its vibrant art and music scene. For those who don’t know, Athens is home to incredible music venues and music festivals. As an avid music goer, about 7 years ago, I began painting musicians as a way of paying homage to our local musical legends. Read more>>

Rachel Lechocki

Our space is just under 2, 000 square feet, big brick walls and a full window panel, letting in the sun to illuminate the art from the street. It is our legit baby. it has allowed us to produce some incredible events anywhere from community art shows to art and yoga workshops to live music and art events, a sideshow gallery festival and live body painting showcases. That is just a few since we developed originally as an arts collective in 2017. In 2019 Andrew embarked on a project to plan an exhibit that set huge (pun intended) things into motion for our gallery and all of the artists involved. Read more>>

Dr. Elida Dakoli

As a musician, educator, and human rights activist, there is never a project that I do not find meaningful. As a classical pianist, I interpret and communicate the soul of a composer to an audience. My music meets them at a vulnerable and open state in which they can experience beauty, introspection, or any emotion that has ever existed. As an educator, I mold the minds of younger generations and equip them with skills and tools to experience freedom of expression through music and the arts. Read more>>