Who we are
Passion Projects is a hybrid gallery-shop and online space that gives VFX artists a platform to present their personal work. Their work in film and television will be on display alongside these passion projects, illuminating the dual artistic identities of the creators behind the scenes.
Gallery Shows: Rotating monthly exhibitions of artists' personal work
VFX Legacy Wall/Screening Nook: Photo & video installation of their professional contributions (Artist Reels, film/tv, photos, commercials, credits from ILM, Pixar, Tippett Studios, etc.) and film screenings
Retail Area: Prints, books, miniatures, arts/crafts, ceramics/textiles, collectibles, crew gear, and other merchandise - all by featured vfx artists
Events: Artist talks, panel discussions, live drawing nights, and small screenings
Workshops: Hosted by featured artists (creature design, writing, practical effects, etc.)
Brick and mortar space coming soon. Follow us here or on IG for the latest details!
Leigh Barbier and Mark Siegel
Passion Projects Team
katharine Baird
Stranger Things • Old • Solo: A Star Wars Story • Ready Player One • Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi • Thor: Ragnarok • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story • The Great Wall • Captain America: Civil War • Jurassic World • Transformers: Age of Extinction • Pacific Rim • The Lone Ranger • Super 8 • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides • Rango • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen • Star Trek • Iron Man • The Spiderwick Chronicles • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End • Eragon • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest • Jarhead • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban • Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World • Hulk • Men in Black II • Planet of the Apes • Pearl Harbor • Galaxy Quest • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Deep Impact • Flubber • Deconstructing Harry • The Lost World: Jurassic Park •
Stranger Things • Old • Solo: A Star Wars Story • Ready Player One • Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi • Thor: Ragnarok • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story • The Great Wall • Captain America: Civil War • Jurassic World • Transformers: Age of Extinction • Pacific Rim • The Lone Ranger • Super 8 • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides • Rango • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen • Star Trek • Iron Man • The Spiderwick Chronicles • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End • Eragon • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest • Jarhead • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban • Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World • Hulk • Men in Black II • Planet of the Apes • Pearl Harbor • Galaxy Quest • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Deep Impact • Flubber • Deconstructing Harry • The Lost World: Jurassic Park •
Stranger Things • Old • Solo: A Star Wars Story • Ready Player One • Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi • Thor: Ragnarok • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story • The Great Wall • Captain America: Civil War • Jurassic World • Transformers: Age of Extinction • Pacific Rim • The Lone Ranger • Super 8 • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides • Rango • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen • Star Trek • Iron Man • The Spiderwick Chronicles • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End • Eragon • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest • Jarhead • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban • Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World • Hulk • Men in Black II • Planet of the Apes • Pearl Harbor • Galaxy Quest • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Deep Impact • Flubber • Deconstructing Harry • The Lost World: Jurassic Park • Stranger Things • Old • Solo: A Star Wars Story • Ready Player One • Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi • Thor: Ragnarok • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story • The Great Wall • Captain America: Civil War • Jurassic World • Transformers: Age of Extinction • Pacific Rim • The Lone Ranger • Super 8 • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides • Rango • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen • Star Trek • Iron Man • The Spiderwick Chronicles • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End • Eragon • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest • Jarhead • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban • Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World • Hulk • Men in Black II • Planet of the Apes • Pearl Harbor • Galaxy Quest • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Deep Impact • Flubber • Deconstructing Harry • The Lost World: Jurassic Park •
2D Paint & Rotoscope Artist • Curator •
Founder, Passion Projects
With 25+ years in VFX at Industrial Light + Magic (ILM) and over 30 years industry experience, Katharine Baird has worked on groundbreaking films and television as a Digital Paint & Rotoscope Artist and Supervisor on films such as The Avengers, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Jurassic World and Galaxy Quest. She’s led teams at ILM and Curated VFX and freelanced with Apple, MSG Sphere, Whiskytree and Cinesite.
A NYU Tisch-trained producer with roots in theatre, film, fine art and curation, she’s now focused on spotlighting the personal, untold work of VFX artists through Passion Projects: The Artists Behind the Effect - a curated platform revealing the personal artistry behind cinematic innovation.
Katharine, with the sign from 3160 Kerner Blvd in San Rafael, CA. This was the birthplace of Industrial Light + Magic, where she and countless others made their careers in VFX.
David Valentin
Planet Terror • Grindhouse • Hero • Space Cowboys • The Green Mile • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Jack Frost • Mercury Rising • The Lost World: Jurassic Park • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (2002) •
Planet Terror • Grindhouse • Hero • Space Cowboys • The Green Mile • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Jack Frost • Mercury Rising • The Lost World: Jurassic Park • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (2002) •
Planet Terror • Grindhouse • Hero • Space Cowboys • The Green Mile • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Jack Frost • Mercury Rising • The Lost World: Jurassic Park • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (2002) • Planet Terror • Grindhouse • Hero • Space Cowboys • The Green Mile • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace • Jack Frost • Mercury Rising • The Lost World: Jurassic Park • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (2002) •
Role - That Guy
Founder of Mr. Smith Studios, where he has led content and marketing strategies for global brands, nonprofits, and cultural institutions. With decades in visual effects and production, including formative years at Industrial Light & Magic, David blends creative leadership, technical fluency, and the ability to rally communities around art. A dedicated mentor, he has spent years guiding young artists from underrepresented communities into the film industry, championing their early careers and amplifying their voices. His experience bridging global brand strategy with grassroots artistry makes him uniquely positioned to expand Passion Projects’ reach and impact.
