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.
Linda Grimes
In 2019, I got to lead a team to paint a mural on the back of a local coffee shop, Sirens Java and Tea, in the heart of downtown San Pedro. We call this program, “Adventures in Public Art”. Over a six week period, the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District conducted a mural workshop with community members, led by Teaching Artist, Virginia Broersma (virginiabroersma.com/). We selected Virginia from a field of 14 qualified Teaching Artists who responded to our extensive outreach. In order to make the arts more accessible to everyone, we believe an important part of our mission is promulgating public art and educating members of our creative community. To that end, the Arts District decided to make meaningful education experiences readily available, such as the recently concluded arts appreciation series, Culture TALKS! with arts scholar Gregorio Luke. Read more>>
Sarah Wilson
In my career as a photographer / cinematographer, I’ve worked on several meaningful projects. In fact, I complete one every 3-5 years or so. Most have been long-term photographic documentaries, telling the story of specific communities. One of my early projects was about a small East Texas town of Jasper, in the aftermath of a terrible hate crime, and another was about my extended family in Cajun Louisiana. Following that, I was the prom night photographer at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for ten years, which had shows in New York and China. During COVID, I photographed essential women workers of Austin and wheat-pasted the portraits on the sides of buildings around town. I also work as a cinematographer and producer on documentary films alongside my husband, director Keith Maitland. Our most successful film was about the first mass school shooting in America, at the University of Texas at Austin in 1966. Read more>>
Maia Gonzalez
My most transformative professional experience was having the privilege to share my craft in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage as result of a very unexpected opportunity. A management and production company called Classical Movements had reached out to me after I had worked with them for my debut as Donna Elvira in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the Estates Theatre. This was about a month after collaborating with Prague Summer Night’s Music Festival in which the company had produced. Read more>>
Lissa Barnum
Lissa was born in Mexico City and moved to California aged 16, Andrew born in Greenwich Connecticut and his family moved to Australia, aged 7. Lissa and Andrew met in Los Angeles, and we started a freelance design business (A&L Barnum Design), and started a new-wave band (Live Nude Girl). We had design clients, gigs, and made a demo tape. We were married in 1981, our demo tape found its way to a Sydney producer, We relocated, started freelancing in design, and were signed to Festival Records as ‘Vitabeats.’ Becoming an independent duo we signed to Hot Records and released a single/video ‘Boom Box’ in 1985 that became a national hit across Australia. Read more>>
Betty Schram
I don’t know if I could truly choose a most meaningful from among them all, but a couple that came to mind had a similar vein of context: growth & collaboration. Once, I had the opportunity to be a guest model for a kids’ creative mentoring group. They were assigned an era, chose their model, styled my look from hair and makeup down to wardrobe, and then shot according to their mood board and coaching of their host photographers. I loved getting to help them create their vision, and see them light up when they realized they had what it took to see a project through from thought to screen. Read more>>
Kasia Sasinowska
Two of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on stand out for their impact and the values they represent. The first was during my time as a creative producer at &Walsh, where I had the opportunity to work on the branding for Rubi Laboratories. Rubi is an innovative company that produces high-quality natural textiles, such as viscose and lyocell, directly from CO2. What makes this project so meaningful to me is the company’s mission to create sustainable textiles that are carbon-negative and both water- and land-neutral. Being part of a project that aligns with such an important cause—pioneering a shift toward more sustainable practices in the fashion and textile industries—was incredibly rewarding. It allowed me to contribute to something bigger than myself, knowing that our work could help make a significant environmental impact. Read more>>
Camille Wild
The most meaningful project I have worked on to date was a collection of jewelry I released earlier this year, called “Reflections: An Ode to the North Cascades”. It was inspired by my time spent in the Cascades in Washington State. This collection was the process of externalizing thoughts and feelings rooted in grief that transcended many levels- loss of friends to the mountains and witnessing the changing landscapes. This body of work essentially was my process of moving through grief. As part of the process, it required me to return to the mountains despite feelings of fear and apathy. I spent the summer navigating the mountains solo and sometimes with good friends by my side. While in the mountains, I chose to slow down and observe my surroundings, rather than move fast for the sole purpose of completing a climbing objective. I brought a journal with me on my adventures and would scribble down the ideas floating around in my head. I found inspiration in the glaciers, jagged peaks, the colors of the Cascades, and the feelings this area evoked. This collection is a reflection of my gratitude for the North Cascades and what this area has taught me. For me, it is a call to action to slow down and observe, not shy away from difficulty, and care for these wild spaces. Read more>>
Misha Suvorov
Being a performing artist most valuable tool you have is your artists voice. While building it, I wouldn’t pay much attention what I was using it for. I was laser focused on my career. As funny as it is, I was political activist for as far as I can remember myself. But it never came across my mind, that I can use my artistic voice to project my political views. So, this mismatch of my being politically chargers in non-artistic life and absolutely muted for that matter as an artist was building up a lot of tension, till it resolved earlier this year, when I decided to pick up an anti-war solo-show The Border by Sergei Davydov. I think that was the missing piece of my artistic puzzle and it feels that I was just idling before as an artist. Working on something that you really care about gives you wings, empowers and inspires to push the envelope and really expose as an artist. I know that a lot work to come my way, which is not as relatable for me as The Border and Art Against War Festival, but I definitely know how important it is to choose in favor of relatable material. Read more>>
Xinyue(sherry) Pan
The most meaningful project I’m working on is my short film Catdle, a story about redemption and accepting death, inspired by my beloved cat. He came into my life when I was bedridden, and his companionship helped me recover. After I moved to the U.S., he stayed in China, comforting my family. Sadly, just when I hoped to see him again, he was diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma, and despite all our efforts, he passed away at only two years old. Afterward, my parents buried his ashes at a temple in China, believing he would be reborn in a new form, according to Buddhist beliefs. I want to express this view in my film—I believe death isn’t the end, and he continues to exist somehow. He was like a candle on a winter night; his short life brightened my darkest days. Catdle is set to release next May. I hope people connect with it and the love I’ll always have for him. Read more>>
Shahjehan Khan
I’ll be a series regular on Hulu’s upcoming “Deli Boys” (https://g.co/kgs/amQZYXW) After years of feeling like I was trying to change myself to fit into someone else’s box, an opportunity came along to be part of something groundbreaking, fresh, and an unlike anything America has ever seen on screen. I spent two months working on this Pakistani-American crime comedy and finally feel like our stories are being taking seriously and supported by the industry. It was a dream come true not just as an actor, but as an artist looking to leave a meaningful legacy behind. Read more>>
Kenza Mouahidi
I feel strongly about nutrition and health, and have been sharing cooking videos on Instagram. This resulted in an invitation to do a cooking show in Seattle, HomeMadeIsLive, which allowed me to share my experience with an audience of home cooks who face perimenopause symptoms, typically women in their 30s and 40s, who need tips for dealing with these challenges. I think it is important that we, as a society, break this type of taboo, and talk about life’s challenges as people grow older. There is no shame in growing older, or experiencing aging’s symptoms. In fact, I have never been as confident and joyful as I find myself in my 40s, and I wanted to spread this message to a larger audience. Read more>>
Carole Ann, Mark Miller, Killmer
The most meaningful project that we have worked on is our podcast, “The House of Branching Paths.” Carole Ann and Mark had spent a number of years working on other people’s projects and fulfilling other people’s visions, and to have a chance to bring their own vision to fruition and bring it to the public has been a wonderful and transformative experience. Read more>>
Huijun (anna) Wang
I’m excited to share my animated short film OROBORO with you! OROBORO is an abstract, mixed-media motion graphics piece that tells a story exploring our relationship with modern life. The production began in January 2023, and since then, the film has has gone on to festivals such as Montreal International Animation Film Festival, and won gold metals in Collision Awards and Motion Design Awards. OROBORO is a journey that explores our relationship with modern life. In the age of rapid technological advancement, it poses questions such as what is our relationship with information? How are we shaped by our environments? Through vibrant visuals and a dynamic narrative, OROBORO invites the audience on a colorful exploration of existence. Read more>>
Marcus Hopkins-turner
I had the opportunity to be a part of a piece entitled Hands Up. It was a collection of monologues that centered around police violence in the black community. I worked on this piece in the fall of 2021 on the Hertz Stage of the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. While police violence is not new in this country there had been a more pronounced lens placed on it in 2020 and a very vocal stand against it. This production felt like a response to this. As a whole it was extremely moving but even in its individual pieces the work was absolutely striking. The impact on individuals is what made this piece so meaningful to me. Whether it was a conflicted police officer who happened to be a father to a black son or a young white woman struggling to find a way to make constructive and positive changes in her immediate community, we were able to start conversations and bring people face to face with the issue. It was artfully placed in the audiences laps and we were all forced to sit there in it. Read more>>
Weiyang Li
The most meaningful project for me will always be the first short film I wrote and directed in 2015, A Comedy Invisible Man. It was my first year in Los Angeles, where I’d come from China to pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker. The film centers on a clown grappling with his own pain, trying to make others laugh while struggling to hide his wounds. It was born from a deeply personal place. At that time, I often felt misunderstood and isolated—caught between cultural differences, language barriers, and the universal challenge of truly being understood. The film was selected for the 19th Dances with Films Festival and screened at the TCL Chinese Theater. For a young filmmaker to see my own work on the silver screen in the heart of Hollywood was beyond encouraging. Years later, in 2023, after working for six years as a director and editor, this short film opened doors I never expected. Its unique, daring style caught the attention of the writer and producer of Become the Idol, Crazy Beach, a feature-length vertical series for a mobile streaming platform called Sereal+. That collaboration led to five more feature-length vertical series over the next year, connecting me with talented artists I’m lucky to work with today. Read more>>
Minwoo Park
One of the most meaningful and favorite projects I’ve undertaken has been designing a cigarette holder and ashtray. This project holds a special place in my journey as it marked my return to school after a one and a half year military service hiatus during COVID-19. I enrolled in a course called Eat, Sleep, and Drink, where we were tasked with creating two collections reflecting our personal rituals around these essential acts. Throughout this project, I found myself reaffirming a belief in my own unique aesthetic vision, but even more so, I discovered a refined eye for detail that deepened my understanding of what I want to pursue professionally. Industrial design offers a broad spectrum of opportunities, from electronics to furniture, tableware, and even automotive design. But for me, design is more than functionality—it’s about sparking emotion and fostering dialogue. I strive to create objects that resonate on a profound level, inviting users to engage thoughtfully through their form, materiality, and intricate details. Read more>>
Andrés Mejia Plazas
I have written and directed two short films. The first is a drama called “What if Birds Aren’t Singing, They’re Screaming” and the second is a comedy called “SACRILEGE!”. The process was similar for them two because I had started thinking about the idea because of other films that inspired them, and had brainstormed themes, lines of dialogue, and shots I wanted to include in the projects. From there on it was working on pre-production and pitching the idea, writing the script, the whole logistics of production, shooting and editing. What if Birds… was particularly personal because I wrote it from the back of my mind not knowing what it all meant, but as I finished editing I realized what it was all about and why I was writing in the first place. SACRILEGE! is a lot more direct in what it’s trying to say and I knew it from the beginning, but it’s just as special to me because it is a lot more authentic to my voice as a writer. Read more>>
Carrie Coaplen
Other than the documentary that I’m currently working on, Halcyon Daze, the most meaningful project I’ve completed is my dissertation about how Hurricane Katrina survivors recreate a sense of home after displacement. As a lifetime writer, I’ve often used writing to recreate a sense of home or place or other kinds of liminal spaces. As I approached the completion of my PhD, grounded in Composition and Rhetoric, I wondered if others used writing to get their arms around the idea of home or meaningful places. And because the Galactic Starcruiser closed, this documentary builds on my work and expertise about how those who are displaced from meaningful spaces recreate them. We, they, do so through cosplay, exchanging items, revisiting our travels, gathering for special events, writing, art, and community. Read more>>
Jane Gabrielle
I have learned that everything is connected, right? So, I will start with the first art residency I served for the City of Roanoke with the Gun Violence Prevention Commission. I had asked for this assignment because I lost a childhood friend to gun violence. I tried to turn the crime maps upside down and glean new information. My study found that the three most violent watersheds (2022: 29 vs. 7 incidents of gun violence in the entire rest of the city) had the least tree canopy at 9, 14 and 15% percent. I further found that CDC disease maps reiterated those findings. Low tree canopy equals poor health outcomes psychologically, and physically manifesting in the highest rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, longevity and mental illness. Urban Heat Island effect? Food desert? Education? Same map. Read more>>
Will Scott
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is “The Volition of Thalmus Doqui.” This film is a deeply personal exploration of choice, fate, and the struggle for self-determination. It stands out to me because of its non-linear narrative structure, which allowed me to experiment with how the story unfolded, inviting the audience to engage actively in piecing together the protagonist’s journey. The film’s fragmented yet immersive approach was meant to mirror the complexity of human decision-making and the unpredictable consequences of our actions. The project was challenging due to its ambitious narrative structure and the need to balance various thematic elements, but that only made the final product more rewarding. Seeing viewers connect with Thalmus’s journey and draw their own interpretations was incredibly gratifying. It reminded me of the power of storytelling to provoke thought and spark conversation. “The Volition of Thalmus Doqui” pushed me creatively and technically, and the response it received was a humbling reminder of why I pursue this craft—to tell stories that challenge, resonate, and inspire. Read more>>
Kauri Wilson
Currently I’m working on an undergraduate Honors Thesis project that feels important (note that only one of the photos of my work I have included is a part of this project as these paintings are currently in the works!) For this series in progress, I am working with childhood photographs and creating a series of medium to large scale figurative oil paintings. This project feels meaningful because it provides me a space and avenue to explore painting and this internal dialogue on childhood and memory. Read more>>
Arman Movsisian
For a long time, I felt more like a craftsman than a creator because I didn’t know how to express what I truly wanted to say. That’s how two performances appeared in my portfolio, only loosely connected to tattooing. Through a problem in the industry, I tried to address an issue in society as a whole. For instance, in “Normal,” I explored self-acceptance and embracing one’s body, while “New Generation” focused on the next generation and outdated views from the past. Both performances resonated with the tattoo community, showing that I touched on themes that matter deeply to many. And by the way, the third one is coming soon! Read more>>
Kimberly Fadul
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on so far was my first co-star role on Amazon Prime’s Modern Love. Not only was it my first significant credit, but it was also an invaluable learning experience. Although I had been on several sets before booking this role, stepping in front of the camera in such a capacity was a whole new challenge. There was a sense of respect that came with the responsibility of my role, something I hadn’t fully experienced until then on a major production. Read more>>
Aria
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my new upcoming Album “PRINCESA URBANA”. This record means a lot to me because of the time and effort I put into it and how it showcases my growth in music production and songwriting. It took me almost two years to finally grasp what I really wanted to express as an artist and I feel that message is coming through clearer on this record. Some of the songs were started in my little home studio in Mexico before I decided to attend to a a Master’s program at Berklee NYC where I was able to explore new sounds and collaborate with people from different parts of the world. During this program I realized that I had a special project and concept that could bring all my songs together into a cohesive Album. “PRINCESA URBANA” is about taking your life experiences with a “princess” attitude. I’m not referring to the “princess” with a girlie attitude, instead referring to an independent, empowered woman, sassy, sensual and sensitive. I’m so excited to showcase this new project and see it connect with its true audience! “PRINCESA URBANA” out in 2025. Read more>>
Larry Kosson
Robin Spielberg’s most recent release, By Way Of the Wind, is one of the most meaningful projects I have worked on. Robin asked me to produce this sixty-minute recording of her original work with a full orchestra. I’ve produced Robin’s solo and ensemble recordings in the past. However, this project became possible only because of the extra time afforded due to the pandemic. The album was recorded both in the States and in Europe. In addition to charting on Billboard, the work received its live premiere in front of a mesmerized audience last November. It was something I will never forget. Read more>>
Breanna Stephens
Recently, I’ve founded an online music-creation event called “Remix Roulette”, where I’ve gathered several producers in the YouTube space to create new versions of each other’s songs. After a couple months, we’ll all release them at the same time in a livestreamed event, celebrating all of our creations and communities! It’s truly been such a pleasure to work with some of the most creative and talented musicians I know to make this happen. This idea literally came from just a random out of the blue thought on my drive back from work. Immediately when I got home, I DM’d every producer I knew online that would rock this idea. Now, I’m hosting this huge event with a bunch of amazing producers, releasing a merch line alongside it, and producing one of my favorite tracks for this whole event. I’m truly so grateful for how it’s gone so far, and can’t wait for the final livestreamed event coming this December! Read more>>
Morgan Davis
It’s incredibly difficult to pick one project, but I would say one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been apart of was the first short film I ever did makeup for. For context, before this project I only did makeup for fun and almost exclusively on myself. I had been painting my face in all sorts of crazy ways since I was ten, but for some reason I was really shy about it. Most of my work was left unseen, except for a few looks I had finally worked up the courage to post on Instagram. That changed when I got a DM from an actor friend I made while working in a Haunted House together about a year prior. She explained to me that she was writing and directing a short ghost story (The Ghost of Barbara Allen) and she wanted me to be the head of makeup and costuming! I had never been given that kind of responsibility over a project before, and there was an actual budget! Nothing fancy, but certainly more of a budget than I had ever had! Needless to say, I had no idea what I was doing, but I said yes anyway! Read more>>
Dave Petersen
I started making flyers for metal shows in and around the Philadelphia area in late 2014/early 2015. There was one show coming together in my hometown in South Jersey – a place that had a vibrant music scene at the time but didn’t really do any metal shows. I thought it was awesome that a metal show was finally happening, and I wanted to help in whatever way I could to make it happen. I asked around and eventually got in touch with the person who was putting it together, and asked if I could help by making the flyer for it. After everything was locked in, I was eventually able to do so. And once it started making the rounds, I had a few people get in touch asking me to make flyers for their shows. Which then led to more and more people and more opportunities, and I still get to do that stuff to this day. Read more>>
Wholesome Era
Sunnier Days Ahead was our most recent show from the family, as it was also our most meaningful project so far. With all varieties of mediums of art from 50 artists, curated by Prince Palace. The crew got together with only 21 days of preparation. With a short time in our hands, many of us had to take matters in our own hands for the first time, like driving a U-Haul through the busy streets of New York, handling 200 pieces of artworks that were dropped off at designated checkpoints, and most importantly putting together of all pieces in only the day of the exhibition as there were a big rave party right before our show on the 12th. Sunnier Days Ahead was important to us, not because we set everything up cohesively in a short period of time, but it was because we were able to come together when it mattered the most. The bright uplifting energy that the Wholesome Era crew and 50 other lives brought to the show emphasized exactly how bright our artistic paths are for not to just those who showed up that day, but for the rest of the art world to see that there’s a new day ahead. A Sunnier one! Read more>>
Cléo Sương Mai Richez
I think one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is naming myself. I did it as a gesture of performance on my own life. The name came from a memory, I wrote a text about it called walk on by. Before that text, my full name was Cléo Annie Rosalie Richez. After that text, my full name is Cléo Sương Mai Annie Rosalie Richez. It is a name I can barely pronounce, I might never be able to say it properly. It doesn’t matter. Read more>>
Az-lee Wilbon
The most impactful project I’ve been involved in is called AVP, which stands for Artist Vs. Producer. This initiative presented a challenge to twelve local artists and producers from Arizona, including myself, to compose a song in just one hour while following specific guidelines. The event is organized by me, Th3 Z#00, and Eubank$ within our church community, and we host it biweekly to encourage collaboration among artists and producers, while also stretching their creative limits. This project is especially meaningful to me because it allowed me to connect with new individuals and witness the artistic growth of my friends. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see them evolve from occasional music makers to regular creators, and it fills me with joy to watch those around me flourish. Read more>>
Angel Rafael
In September 2024, I launched an initiative called “Suenyo Sessions.” Suenyo Sessions aims to introduce indie artists to audiences who may have never encountered their work before. This exposure happens not only through a live concert series at West Art in Lancaster, PA, but also through a video series that will soon be available on YouTube for those who can’t attend in person. This project is particularly meaningful to me because it brings together a range of skills I’ve developed over the years, including videography, project management, and connecting people across creative communities. I received a grant from Lancaster’s Equity Council to complete this project, which has been a significant endorsement of its mission. Suenyo Sessions is a passion project that I’ve done small iterations of in the past but with different names, and I believe I’ve finally hit the nail on the head so to speak thanks to all the experience I have with the projects I’ve done leading up to Suenyo Sessions. Read more>>
Branden Collins
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on to date is my latest exhibition, Another World Is Possible, which had it’s debut this past October at the Goat Farm Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The exhibition, which will be my last public work, was also my largest. AWIP was part retrospective, part experiential art work, social experiment and performance art. The show represented the culmination of over a decade of creative work and an exploratory testing ground for my independent research in quantum information science. For nearly ten years, I’ve been working in art & design leading a fluid collaborative creative network called The Young Never Sleep. The Young Never Sleep Studio was founded in 2010 as a collaborative creative network for visual experimentation & interdisciplinary design services. The work we created was guided by the philosophy that art, science, culture and technology are intimately intertwined as equally valuable tools to advance human progress and understanding. Read more>>
Diane Warner-wang
One Project that has been very meaningful to me is a series entitled “Woman”. It started as a charcoal portrait drawing of a model of unknown ethnic origins. But, upon completion, it reminded me of my time living in Iran. I put it aside, but as I passed by it periodically I noticed the intensity in her eyes. Of strength, and beauty, also of weariness, but of resilience and determination. She had a story to tell. I could not pass by her any longer. I thought of the women in Afghanistan who risked their lives just to have an education. Women all over the world with this strength to fight for their rights. I wanted to take this realistic drawing and meld it with abstraction of color, geometry, contrast of lights and darks, or saturated versus neutral colors. As well as using patterning for the body and/or clothing. This patterning consisted of various papers and tapes. From a Van Gogh themed Washi tape to a cut Japanese paper. Different origins representing women everywhere but no woman in particular. Read more>>
Raeesah Islam
The most meaningful project I’ve ever taken on is Utopia Feni, the creative vision I began actualizing almost a decade ago. When I studied at The London College of Fashion, I’d work towards this sustainable brand that would utilize ethical sourcing and provide opportunity for my dad’s village in Feni, Bangladesh. It was only a dream at the time until I moved back to Virginia Beach in 2014. I needed a purpose and with my health issues at the time, I realized I couldn’t make many other opportunities work. I embarked on this vision to at least start with funding an art program for the village to grow into my ultimate vision. With that in mind, we started with a single art show to bring awareness to this cause. That art show sparked a drive I never knew I had because once the signage went up for the show, I never wanted to take it down. Through hosting more shows, classes, open mic nights, and more- we discovered we were actually filling a void here locally as well. As we’ve grown, so has the community around us. It’s been a great place to start visions for many artists including myself. Read more>>
Verleen Killz
I found joy and purpose in paying attention to the stories and moments in history where the culture was impacted, finding joy in giving a perspective of the impact growing up within the urban low income community . One of my recent projects is called “Marco Polo” was a photo series highlighting men from urban communities creating their own lane in mens high fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, polo, & rugby. It is a special project for me because when i was teenager id see rugby, polo and Ralph Lauren brand everywhere, everyone wore something of that brand and you couldn’t turn the corner without seeing it. It was cool to be apart such a proud era in fashion. So i wanted to capture the essence of that era by collaborating with a stylist, and an art director to bring this vision to life. Everyone involved in this project participate for their faith in my vision and I am truly grateful. Read more>>
Pilar Peters
On July 5th , 2022 we were informed that we were adding three bundles of joy to our family, talk about wow! While my husband and I were ready to add to our little family of three, doubling the number of people in our crew was a complete surprise to us, especially since we were not on any fertility treatments. That being said, we were excited to embark on this new chapter. We started our journey with Texas Children’s Hospital on August 9th and got to see the babies for the very first time. We confirmed that Baby A and B were an identical set and Baby C was fraternal. With bi-weekly appointments to the medical center we continued to see these little ones grow as we prepared our home to welcome three boys in what we thought would be January 2023. Read more>>
Edward Grant
The most meaningful project I worked on was my self-published novella, “The Lost Forest.” The Lost Forest was a horror fantasy I started in my senior year of high school and finished it during my freshman year of college. During that time the story was inspired by my love of East Asian Horror Movies and Japanese Anime. Once I was finished with it. I never went back to it and just put it away. In 2015, I was indeed looking for a new job opportunities. I stumbled upon this ad of a publisher accepting submissions for science fiction and fantasy short stories. During this time I was in a writers block and have not wrote anything since my time in college. I decided to submit a sample of the first chapter of a novel I was working on at the that time. A year later I heard back from them saying they wanted to publish my short story. This was my the first time being published by a publisher. It was sold as an ebook on Amazon and part of the Alfar Anthology: Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Stories as a hardcopy. Read more>>
Zimzon Zion
Growing up I used to watch a show called GLADIATORERNA ( American Gladiators) And I always would dream about getting on the show as a contestant and going against the Gladiators. Well fast forward a few years and I found myself being a Gladiator and my boyhood dream becoming my reality. It meant a lot to me as it spearheaded my acting career and also lets me know that anything you put your mind into will and can become your reality. Read more>>
Alexandra Gomez, Federico Mallet
Our first short film Suficiente is really meaningful because it started as a poem one of our members Regina Romero shared during one of our Writers Group (we host one every two weeks for people to workshop and develop creative ideas).
Another member who was present said she would love to turn it into a film. They then partnered up to pitch the project to us and we were enamored by their passion and vision, and so we decided to produce it. The production process was as indie as it gets, we all chipped in and used available resources. The theme of the film aligns directly with our mission of amplifying our understanding of how diverse the Latin American experience in the U.S can be. Through the director’s vision we were able to turn filming mishaps into creative opportunities. Read more>>
Diana Atai
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my web series Alicia & Jerome. I am creative but I also have a 9 to 5 to support myself daily. Writing Alicia & Jerome was my way of expressing my frustration with working in Corporate America as a black woman while also trying to shape my identity at the time. It allowed me to write and share a story specific to my situation. With the second season, I focused more on self-love & self-worth. We also had a bigger budget to work with. We are doing well with film festivals this season because it is relatable but also pretty honest in the most simple way. To date, we’ve won three awards! I wrote, produced, and directed this second season which wasn’t easy but it was very fulfilling. I’m glad I pushed through. Read more>>
Audrey Goldstein
I can talk about a previous installation, “Shadowtime” staged at Gallery Kayafas (now closed) in February 2021, in the midst of the pandemic closures. The work can be seen on my website, www.audreygoldstein.com. From the artist statement: Shadowtime, Audrey Goldstein’s current installation at Gallery Kayafas, is a house made of time, both the residue of passing time and the haunting of lost time. Made with discarded objects from an abandoned home, Shadowtime is an embodied whisper of time, an attempt to contain our stories of loss and beauty within the ghostly walls of a home. The rooms of Shadowtime are divided into timescapes that reflect periods of daylight and night. The pigmentation of each hour’s panel is a record of observed light from when it was made. Read more>>
Zema Love Fire
My most meaningful project has been teaching Rites of Passage programs for girls ages 6-18. This is my way of giving back and teaching them things I wish I’d known at a younger age. I want young girls to feel seen, heard, and supported. Through my Non-profit school The Indigo School of Light Inc., we teach our girls self confidence, anti bullying, affirmations, yoga, self- defense, holistic eating, body wisdom, meditation, various healing modalities like reiki, and herbs. It is a 3-6 month program depending on the age group. We also support young women entering college. Read more>>
Kristin Shiraef
My years of traditional illustration have been deeply fulfilling, yet I have always aspired to elevate my other artistic passions—enchanted stories, musical scores, and 2D animations—into a more interactive and cohesive medium. My husband, Joseph, who was pursuing his masters degree in computer programming at the time, was inspired by my creative works and introduced me to gaming technology as the perfect medium to bring our long-shared dream of collaboration to life. With a novel already in progress, we decided to transform the first book of the series, “Aron’s Gift,” into an isometric, semi-open world RPG gaming experience. This project seamlessly blends our love of classical storybook illustrations with a dark fantasy art style, enchanting musical scores, and intriguing level design. Joseph’s unique artistic programming style, expertise in writing along with his 3D animation skills, set the stage for the making of a truly fantastical experience. Read more>>
Nga Weng Chio
Last October, I went to GameSoundCon with the scholarship sponsored by The Game Audio Diversity Alliance. It was there that I had the pleasure of meeting Alex Brandon, the Audio Director at Frost Giant Studios. During our conversation, Alex mentioned a composer role for the upcoming RTS game Stormgate, sparking my interest. I took the opportunity to introduce myself and pitch for the project. Two months later, I heard back from the team and was confirmed to be the composer for one of the game’s three unique factions. In Stormgate, a faction represents a playable army as well as the lens into the culture and backstory of a culture, each with their own unique sound. Read more>>
Bonolo Solomon
My number one meaningful project has to be my second body of work released in 2019 titled “Bipolar LP”, this is the project that defined the trajectory of my music career. The LP tackles the volatile emotional experiences that I went through as a teenager, from feeling completely deflated, unmotivated and have low self esteem to feeling hyped up, confident and driven in a snap. I experience a lot of emotional turmoil as a teen and that was poured into this project, it is no surprise it was the one that changed my life leading to me winning 2 music awards in my province Northern Cape here in South Africa. Read more>>
Adam Hinkle
That’s such a difficult question to answer, I’ve been fortunate to have had some extremely meaningful opportunities in my career. Though if I had to choose one, it would have to be my web series “The Park”, which is about the trials and tribulations of a team of outreach workers as they urgently work to prevent violence in a Chicago neighborhood. It was my debut as a writer/director (though I need to give props to my co-creator/co-writer Travis Williams; he’s an incredibly talented writer and I was undeniably lucky to collaborate with him on this). I never had any ambition to be a director, none at all. My main priority in my career was to grow and work as an actor (still is in a lot of ways). Though for reasons I’m sure will be apparent as we dive into this, I really did it to protect the material we were developing. Read more>>
Ashley Corder
I happen to have two -The most meaningful project I have done and I’m currently working on. Last year I was asked to co-coordinate on Miss Judy Parker’s NSITCRII. It is a fashion and entertainment show that features selected sensual and pop art styles in a burlesque show form. There’s live performances, dance entertainment and more! Although I knew what I was capable of managing, it was a time to physically show up as a model coach, leader and choreographer. There were certain aspects that took place that allowed me to reflect, process and grow in my intended purpose. One day- it was set to be amazing- we, the cast & crew, had our photo and video shoot for the promotion of the show: followed by rehearsal. I was elated to show what I had prepared, looking forward to seeing the many eager models excited to learn a new way of runway, including choreographed model walks. Read more>>
Stoney
My debut single “Better Off” and our Better Off Here Campaign is by far the most meaningful project I have ever worked on because the message is so deeply personal to me and my history with suicidal ideation. This song is all about raising awareness for childhood depression, especially as it relates to young black girls, and sharing the message that no matter how dark the world may look to you now, you are better off here. Because I remember what it felt like to truly believe that I was better off dead. At around 13 years old, I began to struggle with body dysmorphia, an eating disorder, and bullying in a majority white private school. As a chubby black scholarship kid, the only thing that really made me smile back then was my love of music and storytelling. Even though I was never given a real opportunity to shine the way my heart wanted to, I never stopped writing. Poetry, novels, short stories, scripts, songs, you name it. I always like to say that writing is in my heart and music is in my soul. The darkness in my little heart poured out of me and onto those pages, and all those thoughts that felt so isolating were made shareable by some of my favorite artists whom I listened to. They made me feel less alone, and at the end of the day, that is the most beautiful thing about being an artist to me — sharing in our collective human experience and tearing down the walls that this world loves to build between people from all walks of life. You’ll never know what someone is going through just by looking at them, but you might be able to by listening to a song they wrote about overcoming the demons they were facing while putting on a smile for everyone. Read more>>
Briana Faucette
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was with Trey Flowers, a 9-year NFL veteran and 2-time Super Bowl champion, during the summer of 2023. This opportunity was truly unexpected and deeply significant for me because I had literally prayed for my company to break into the world of professional sports branding, and then this chance came along. Our first project with Trey involved creating two retractable banners for an event he was hosting for his foundation, Flowers of the Future. It was such an honor to contribute to an initiative focused on empowering the next generation. The experience was not only a validation of my prayers and hard work but also a moment where I realized the impact branding can have in amplifying meaningful causes. Since that initial project, we’ve had the privilege of rebranding Trey’s personal website and logo. It reinforced my belief that when you show up and do your best work, even in large opportunities, it can lead to even greater possibilities. I am incredibly grateful for this experience and excited about what’s to come as we continue to grow and make a difference in the branding space. Read more>>
Benjamin Bobinac
I was allowed to make the skateboard plaque at Desert West Skateboard park in west phoenix. Growing up there in that neighborhood and watching all of my friends hard work pay off I wanted their plaque to be shown in a better structure than the original one. So during an addition to the park I got the ok to make something else. The first skateboard was totally freehand out of shotcrete. The locals broke the wheels and cracked the original trucks. During Covid I was able to cut the broken pieces off and make a metal truck and concrete wheels that roll . The whole park is big deal for me and being able to put a little of myself there meant a lot to me. Read more>>
Avik Pandey
1. Lotus, directed by Hari Iyer. My first feature film as a lead actor. A role that allowed me to flourish in all that I love about acting. Firstly, as a screen actor, I had so many “first”s on this film – i. A beautiful dance sequence for which I had the honor of being fulled transformed into Lord Krishna through hours of extensive makeup (I was painted entirely blue), by extraordinary SFX artists. ii. Voice-over work (my character narrates the entire film). iii. The opportunity to translate all my dialogues (including voice-over) from English to Hindi (into a Lakhnawi dialect). iv. Riveting action scenes. Furthermore, since the film is an amalgamation of a father-son conflict, a young love story, and a surprisingly violent thriller, I truly got to showcase my range in the drama, romance, action, and psychological thriller genres. It was an honor to play the lead in this holistically entertaining, socially relevant, and all-round bombastic feature. Read more>>
Cylene Rainville
As an artist and an art therapist, I personally know the value of creativity. When I started making jewelry in 2007, it was a combination of art, therapy and wanting to learn how to create a small business. Over time, I realized that I could blend all three into one and I started my Spinnerette line of jewelry. Each piece in the collection is designed for form and function as fidget jewelry, whether it be a ring, pair of earrings, or a pendant. Mental health affects so many of us and to be able to create pieces that are not only beautiful but also functional is a joy. I have had so many clients provide me the feedback that their jewelry has helped them with their anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and/or need to fidget in order to keep focus – and that gives me the inspiration to keep on making. Read more>>
Prudence Brooks
I’m excited about many things I’m working on, but my most meaningful completed project is my debut poetry collection, TRUCE. The story follows my husband and I from our first date to the present day, but the themes run deeper than just being in love with someone. TRUCE is a reckoning with myself and my notion of intimacy. I have significant trauma in my past, and I also live with multiple disabilities. The shame surrounding those things has created obstacles in my relationships. Unpacking some of that shame through writing has allowed me to slowly open myself up to being honestly loved. The process of writing TRUCE wasn’t pretty, and it brought up difficult feelings for both of us. But ultimately, trust grew exponentially in our relationship. I was revealed, cleaved open across the page in front of him almost every day for six months writing this book, and he was also unveiled in his own ways. I know myself and my husband better for writing TRUCE, and I’m grateful I decided to put the effort into immortalizing us. TRUCE will be available for purchase on Amazon in January 2025. Read more>>
Dev the Follower
The most meaningful project that I have worked on is my upcoming album titled, “Deliver Us From Evil”. The name itself is self explanatory. That said, it is a complex and more thoughtful ideation of my frustrations throughout society, more specifically; the eggshell-like environment within the United States of America that has been gradually bred through hatred, division, corruption, and the lack of sympathy and empathy for one another. This project is the first that I’ve created where I truly and successfully captured a unique sound and version of artistry that I have yet tapped into throughout the course of my 8-year career. I’ve taken well to constructive criticism and listened to what the fans, as well as my close family and friends have suggested I attempt during the creation of the album. Because of this, I have never been more excited to share a body of work. Additionally, I partnered with a videographer to bring the project to life. While creating the music, Cole Buche of King Culture Media, and myself have written a story that encapsulates the theme of the album as a whole. With that, we have embodied the project musically and turned it into a short film which will accompany the album’s release. Read more>>
Ahava Silkey-Jones
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on involved the opportunity to build an unexpected partnership with a world-class musician. When I graduated college, I began working as a dance teacher in a brand new school on the South Side of Chicago affiliated with the University of Chicago. I quickly transitioned into a role that involved building out a performing arts program. As the school was new, there was a lot of excitement about its potential, but minimal direction. It was a blank canvas, and we created a masterpiece! As the program developed, so did the interest from local organizations. One day I was invited to a meeting by our CEO with little information or context, when I showed up it turned out one of our board members had secured a mini-performance and conversation with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) new Artist in Residence. The artist happened to be famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, with his larger-than-life personality and extraordinary talent. Read more>>
Genesis Falls
So one main project that I’m working on and will always be ongoing is called Through My Lens- An Artist Story. This is a collective work that focuses on BIPOC artists across different artistic mediums. This project came up from just looking around on social media and other platforms and not always seeing other artists that look like me. I want to be able to share a intimate stories and showcase us. Read more>>