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.

Julia Loretta Romero

Currently I’m working on putting together an album of original music. This has been in the works for about four years. My music feel like my paintings, abstract and etherial.. Read more>>

Kinga Philipps

I am currently working on a show called Finding Adventure with Kinga Philipps for the streaming service Very Local. The concept of the show is to take people who don’t get outdoors much out of their comfort zones and into fun activities in nature that are right in their own backyard. What I love about the show is twofold. First off, it shows off this amazing country of ours and what it offers in terms of nature. From diving with sharks in Jupiter, Florida to learning survival skills in Sacramento, California to river surfing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania there is so much natural wonder in the United States. The show also utilizes outfitters that the audience can find and do exactly what we did on the show. Read more>>

Amber Moose

I still tear up when I think about a Mother’s Day project, I put together a few years ago. It started with a simple concept: show mothers their beauty. I wanted to take regular moms I had met through previous booking and offer them a chance to let their inner wild woman out in a sexy swimsuit shoot. I’ll be honest, I was a little worried the whole thing would fall apart. I was asking teachers and nurses and stay at home moms to strip down to a bathing suit and act like sports illustrated models in a very public waterfall around complete strangers. But what actually occurred was nothing short of magic. Read more>>

Jo Rohal

I have worked on a lot of projects that have a special place and meaning for me. For example I work mostly on heirloom or vintage pieces, that have a history/past and when I get to work on them, I feel that I am the chosen/blessed one. One such meaningful piece that I worked on was a buffet for a special needs child. His mother was looking for a piece that he could have access to while sitting in his wheel chair. I was able to design one such piece which he absolutely loves to use. Read more>>

Jordan Miller

My nonprofit youth theater company recently presented a play called “Mockingbird” which centered around an 11 year old girl on the Autism Spectrum. This play was the culmination of my life and career thus far, as in addition to training all the actors involved in the project, and playing the main character’s “Dad”, I have a personal connection to this material as I am also the parent of a child on the spectrum. The scenes that are in the play I have personally lived, and I feel it is important for our community of parents and teachers to see how the interworking of a child on the spectrum works, and how we, as their guides, can better support them. Read more>>

Cynthia Hilaire

One of the most meaningful projects that I worked on was playing Nadege in A Haitian Americans Guide To Disappointing Your Family. For the first time, I got to play a first-generation Haitian American character and tell a fun family story very similar to my upbringing. The writer, director, and main characters were of Haitian descent. We spoke Kreyol and there was real Haitian food on set. Everything felt just really authentic. Most importantly, the show was true to our unique experiences of balancing our ethnic and American cultures. Before this project, I wasn’t aware of a show or movie that told the story of first-generation Haitian Americans. Read more>>

Melissa Alexander

When the pandemic shut everything down in March 2020, amongst other things, I had a real fear that the world was on the verge of complete disconnection. We couldn’t be close to our loved ones because we didn’t know who got “it.” We were advised to not love on, hug, kiss, share space with those we hold most dear.So I created the Pull Up Sessions where I invited folks to my home to make portraits with me. We kept physical distance, being that we were outside, but the point was to ensure a connection was forged, so no one ever thought they were truly out here alone. I was able to offer joy and a reprieve from the madness that was broadcasted from every media outlet and social media, spoken in every conversation with family and friends. Read more>>

Tamir Buchanan

The most meaningful project to date, I would say is our most recent. Which would be Collection 4 ‘DEMISE’. An it means the most to me not because it’s the newest collection, but because it was the first collection were I was ale to honor my late brother DACODA GILMORE on a public platform. I’ve been the creative director for TWO SIMPLE since 2015. Our first Dallas fashion show was Nov. 26TH,2016. Well my brother was struggling with his battle against Lupus and he actually ended up passing away at age 30 on July 31st, 2016. So he never actually got a chance to see any of the vision behind the brand come to life. Therefore the title of collection 4, DEMISE means; A person’s death. For me, that person that I wanted to honor in demise was him. My brother Dacoda. Read more>>

Joshua Killeen

One of the greatest things about being a wedding photographer is just how hugely rewarding every single event is. You know, in the back of your mind, that you are helping capture memories for these people that will last lifetimes. If you think about it, it’s extremely fulfilling. Read more>>

LANEshia

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my first EP, ‘The Journey.’ During quarantine, because of the global pandemic, we decided to start building our studio. We weren’t going anywhere so, why not create a space that allows you to be more creative. I released my first single in 2020 with the simple intention of sharing. I had no idea where it would go. After several interviews with a few DJs and podcast hosts, I was encouraged to make more music which eventually turned into my EP, The Journey. Read more>>

Tracy Bosworth Page

I think I am truly embarked on what could be the most meaningful project of my career. During the last decade, I think we’ve all watched society’s ability to hate not just grow, but come out from the shadows and be present in everyday life. Hate seemed to be buried under a certain societal politeness for the last few decades, we were easily able to admit to ourselves that it didn’t really exist any longer because we didn’t seem to see it/feel it. It wasn’t in our faces. Now it is. It is pervasive. It is present. It is unavoidable. And it is targeted. Read more>>

Kelly Mengarelli

The most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is something I like to call “Angel Art”. This style was inspired by my own personal loss of my 21 year old sister in law. Brooklyn was a sister and friend to me, she struggled with epilepsy, and in barreling the grief of her loss I did the only thing I could think of for comfort… draw. The sting of loss and grief of losing a loved one is constant and deep. Angel Art is designed to bring you and your family comfort. By encapsulating your loved one’s true essence in an illustration with you, you will be reminded that though they are not with you, they will always be a part of you. I illustrate your loved one with angel wings, together with family, in the presence of Jesus, or with a simple halo. Read more>>

Danielle Hall / Passion The Lioness

For me one of the most meaningful projects was the Warrior Women: Blessed Beyond The Diagnosis shoot. I chose women that suffer with serious health issues. To do a inspirational video. Speaking on what their diagnosis is. How it has affected their life. How they deal with it. What words of wisdom would they tell someone who’s dealing with the same issues. It was definitely Empowering to join these ladies. To use our diagnosis for strength to encourage others. Another meaningful project was the Women Empowerment/Body Positivity shoot. Inspired by my poem titled Perception. I’m so proud of the ladies for stepping out of their comfort zones. Getting their power back. It feels good to be free. Love the skin you’re in. Read more>>

Christine Smith-Atkins

It’s interesting to look back on past projects and see how they move you to new directions and heights. In that sense they are all meaningful. Changes in mindsets as we get older undeniably change the motivations for us as creatives. So the most meaningful projects to me are what I am doing now! But more importantly is how I ended up where I am now, and how that brought me to my current projects.. As a young artist making that ever crucial decision of what to do with your talents or more so, how can I make a living with these talents?’ It was a fairly easy decision for me that was paved with career advice from teachers, family and the obvious career paths available at the time. Read more>>

shalome patrick

Sitting on a rocky beach in Alaska many years ago, I had a dream that my art would help kids—somehow, someway. At all of my shows I find a children’s charity to support by the sale of a painting or something else. Last year I found an amazing charity here in Phoenix called one*n*ten. This wonderful organization helps LGBTQ+ youth with programs and mentorship right here in the Valley. Read more>>

Lara Polachek

The majority of the projects that I am tasked with are for people’s homes. I love to create abstract works to fill walls with memories of favorite places or colors and compositions that bring a sense of calm and peace to a space. Last year, however, I was asked by one of the largest real estate development firms in the Western United States, The Boyer Company, to create three very large pieces for a beautiful new office building in Tempe- 2100 Rio Salado Parkway, adjacent to the Tempe Marketplace. I remember walking the building and reveling the beautiful modern architecture and clean design. I was asked to create pieces for the foyer. Read more>>

Elisabeth Davis-Jones

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on, is Elisabeth Davis-Jones & The CAMP’S new single “Everything Is Gonna Be Alright.” The inception of the song was birth from pain due to watching and experiencing the effects of Covid-19. In March of 2020 my brother Michael Davis passed away and this would be the start of what seemed to be a never ending cycle of deaths. Everyday I would receive word that someone dear to me had passed away from Covid. Watching the local and national news or scrolling through social media platforms and seeing so many people dying began to take it’s toll on me emotionally, mentally, and physically. Read more>>

Soheyla Rashidyan

My most meaningful project is the creation of a museum that celebrates visual art. Hearing the word “museum” generally brings the feeling of old things being preserved – clean and sterile hallways containing objects and images from the past…possibly objects of excellence but ones which are no longer vibrant and alive. Let’s think of the word “museum” differently… Imagine a museum as a muse’s home. Think of it as a greenhouse of the soul, where people come to connect with inspiration. Read more>>

Anouck Jourdaa

I am currently working on an American flag series that revisits the theme of patriotism. It was born from clashing views during the 2020 presidential elections. I wanted to reflect on what unites Americans, beyond their divisions, as well as express the values I rally to. Read more>>

Deming Harriman

My Zodiac series has definitely been the most influential project in my career so far. I think the thing that surprises me most is that the work was featured as a small tarot deck that complemented the larger body of work I was exhibiting at the time. The idea had been floating in my head and I ended up putting together a digital collage series a few weeks before the show opened in 2018. Throughout the months my gallery and I saw traction in the popularity of this work and began including it as a long-term open edition series. In 2020 I was approached by TASCHEN to have four of these works included in their upcoming book ASTROLOGY which was their second book part of their Library of Esoterica Series. Read more>>

Original Soul

I can’t exactly pinpoint one favorite, but I will say this. Each album will have a specific theme. For instance, “The Glass Album” (2007), we explored the question, “Is the glass half empty or half full?”, and created topics around that question. “Escape From The Outside” (2003), I was unemployed and struggling to find work, so much of the content surrounded my frustrations with being broke and unemployed. When I write music, I try to make it relatable to someone else that may have also dealt with the same thing. Read more>>

Austin Davis

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my new book, LOTUS & THE APOCALYPSE, which was published by Outcast Press on March 1st, 2022. LOTUS & THE APOCALYPSE is a poetry novella that tells the story of the last day on Earth as Lotus tries to figure out what the point of life is before it’s too late. The poems in this book act as chapters that tell this narrative through meditations on mental illness, addiction, guilt, loss, love and more. Read more>>

Sarah Mount

My band, Sarah Mount & the Rushmores, is by far the most important project I’ve ever created. This started out more than four years ago when I was approached by Your Mom’s House to host the Tuesday open jam every month. I used this as an opportunity to treat the band as a collective and feature different players, and a different set list every month. Sometimes we would do covers, other times we would improvise the whole set even letting the audience pick the key on the spot. I had so much fun with this for nearly two years, and enjoyed the freedom and the freshness this approach provided. Read more>>

Shaunie B

Shaunie B, CJ Sims, and Claudia Sweatt have collaborated to feed and provided new and gently used clothes for the homeless. One day, I was on the phone with CJ just bouncing ideas around on what to call ourselves. We decided on Bless.It.Back. How fitting, Right!? I played around with how I wanted the wording to look. Finally, I located an image that brought the name to life. I always lived by the standard “no one deserves to be hungry.” I’ve always understood that in a blink of an eye you can lose it all. Therefore, I never really cared why a person was down on their luck. I never passed judgement. I just gave from the bottom of my heart. If I was in the position to feed a person, I would. Read more>>

Carrie Bennett

The most meaningful projects I’ve worked on as an artist are the murals and public art for my hometown of Lighthouse Point. The park murals I’ve created over the years were designed to bring a sense vibrancy, energy, and and refreshment to the park spaces, highlighting the greenery and beauty of our local parks. The artwork, sprinkled around town on light pole banners, on small and large scales, paints a backdrop of sorts to people’s lives, as does any public art, and my hope is that it acts as a binder to uphold the shared values of what we love about our small city. Read more>>

Courtney Preis

The most meaningful (and exciting) project I’ve ever worked on was my newest album “Cabin in the Woods”. My writing team and I travel to create batches of new music. We didn’t necessarily think we would (or could) write an entire album in one writing trip, but just a few months ago, we found ourselves immersed in Woodstock, New York with endless inspiration. We rented a cabin in the woods for one week and 12 songs later, we had an entire album completed. My team and I have written SO many songs, but this project was different. Read more>>

Margaret Morrissey

Something I’ve learned over the past 10 years in my career as a professional dancer and choreographer, is that the waves of creativity ebb and flow in ways you don’t always expect. As young performers, we leave college so fresh and eager to take over the world of the arts; to stake our claim, share our voice with the masses, become important. We were bubbling with ideas and energy and willing to work for free, as long as that meant a stage and an audience to share it with. The entirety of my early-mid 20s was filled with countless projects and shows, trying desperately to be accepted into the competitive arts community of my city. Creating was my reason for being, and I couldn’t imagine a time when those resources in my brain would simply dry up. Read more>>

Melanie Marquis

I care deeply about all the various projects I choose to pursue, so it’s impossible for me to choose a single one as the most meaningful. One current project I’m doing that is very close to my heart is the Stuffed Animal Tarot. I have loved stuffed animals my entire life, and to this day, I still enjoy playing with my plushies. As a tarot reader and tarot deck creator, I always have cards around the house in pretty much every room. One day, I wondered what would happen if my stuffed animal friends stumbled upon a tarot deck and decided to play tarot. The Stuffed Animal Tarot was born! Read more>>

Kylie Holman

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is a non profit yoga foundation which is currently in the works. I strive to create a society where people feel safe and loved by combining the healing modalities such as yoga, sound healing, breath techniques, reiki and music. I’m not alone when I say I have experienced trauma in my life, most of us have. I want to share the healing modalities that helped me out of a once very dark place while also helping others connect to their inner divine feminine. Read more>>

Ultraviolet Communication

We just released a new album of songs titled “Paper Tiger” and we feel that it is the coolest project we have worked on so far as a band. During the start of the pandemic it was tough to gather inspiration without being able to play live to an audience. As a result, we really leaned heavily into our influences and worked hard to create something that we feel is familiar to listeners, but still unique and fresh. Read more>>

Madeline Sherry

It all began when i was in New York visiting my mother. I made a habit of checking out as many Art Galleries and museums as possible. i used New York Magazine as my guide to what’s hot in the art world. my visit to David Zwimer in Chelsea was an eye opener. All oversized canvasses of figure work . All sold opening nuight and the least expensive was $500,000. It was 2008 in a terrible financial crisis. I was in awe! At that moment i decided to find out as much as I could about the Artist, Neo Rauch. I found comparisons between Neo Rauch and my own upbringing. Read more>>

Emily Ulibarri

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is almost always the one I’m currently working on – isn’t that a blessing? But the show that my husband and I just brought to stage last fall truly is a meaningful one. The show was designed to be an intimate theater-in-the-round experience, we always love being inches from our audience where we’re able to impact them, but they’re also close enough to impact us. This show premiered in our historic venue in downtown Eureka Springs, the Melonlight Ballroom. And while, as an idea, this show sat on the back of our metaphorical shelves for a full decade, it was the quietness of COVID that enabled us to bring the story to life. Read more>>

Sister Indica

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is hands-down the audio drama Blazed All Our Lives: a campy, bitchy, surreal soap opera set in the fictitious town of Misty River. It stars an incredibly talented – and predominately drag and LGBT – cast. If Dynasty was set in Twin Peaks, you’d get Blazed All Our Lives! It all began as a fluke, one-off ‘special’ for my (now defunct) podcast JOY BOMB with SISTER INDICA. I’ve been obsessed with soap operas since childhood and started writing them as a kid as a way to escape a childhood of poverty and abuse. Read more>>

Doris Bittar

As part of community work, I have created three nonprofits with fiscal sponsorships from 2014 to the present. I curated an international art exhibit on the migration of labor called, “Labor Migrant Gulf” under the sponsorship of an interfaith organization in San Diego. Another nonprofit created in 2017 was an English as a Second Language-ESL called TaLL-Teach and Learn Literacy, a tailored program for newly arrived Syrian refugees in San Diego under the sponsorship of PANA- the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans. Read more>>

Ramona Harmes

I have unfortunately lost a lot of people in my life including my parents at a young age. I have a soft spot for people who have also lost parents. I had a young girl in her 20’s come to me who had recently lost her father unexpectedly. She wanted me to make an urn ring as well as one of my signature 3D necklaces with a lake, mountains, and a tent with a fishing pole cause they used to love to go fishing. Something I myself enjoyed doing with my father. I was honored to fulfill her wish. She sent me some of his ashes and told me if there were any left over that I didnt need to send them back. She also indicated that his birthday passed recently. After I created the pieces I decided I wanted to do something sweet for her. Read more>>