Dan Meredith – July 2025

“Open Eyes. Open Hearts. For Those Who Need It.”

Meet Dan Meredith—a lifelong Rutherford resident, proud husband and father, local business owner, community advocate, and the creative heart behind The Big Hearted Canvas Project.

Dan’s life is deeply rooted in Rutherford, NJ, the town where he was born, raised, and now lives and works alongside his wife of 25 years, Kristin. Together, they own and operate the Dan Meredith Agency LLC (Allstate Insurance), located right at the corner of Union Ave and Chestnut Street. But Dan’s connection to the community goes far beyond insurance.

As the current President of the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce, Dan is a passionate champion of local businesses and a tireless volunteer. Through both personal and professional avenues—including support from the Allstate Foundation—Dan helps uplift vital community organizations like the Rutherford Community Pantry, Center for Hope and Safety, and the Rutherford First Aid Ambulance Corps, among many others.

Despite his demanding professional life, Dan has carved out a different kind of space—one that’s quiet, reflective, and deeply personal—through his photography and writing.

The Birth of a Creative Journey

What first drew Dan to photography wasn’t the desire to become an artist—it was the need to pause, reflect, and reconnect with something deeper. Armed with a camera and a lifelong appreciation for light, color, and quiet beauty, Dan found himself capturing the world not as it is often seen—but as it could be seen: full of hope, grace, and small everyday miracles.

Raised in a large and loving family, Dan was surrounded by different expressions of support and care. That early foundation of inclusion and acceptance became the emotional core of his creative work. “Since I was young,” Dan shares, “I’ve always been drawn to the feeling of love and inclusion, even if I’ve sometimes been too shy to express it. The Big Hearted Canvas Project is my way of showing it—visually, emotionally, and authentically.”

The Big Hearted Canvas Project

At the heart of Dan’s art is The Big Hearted Canvas Project—a series of photo-based works paired with reflective writings that capture moments of beauty, resilience, and compassion. These aren’t just images; they are invitations to see the world with more open eyes and gentler hearts.

Dan doesn’t rely on formal training or technical rules. Instead, his creative process is intuitive and emotional. “I don’t proclaim to be a professional photographer,” he says. “My method is simple: open my eyes, look closer, find beauty in the overlooked.” Whether it’s the light falling just right on a sidewalk crack, the contrast between nature and concrete, or a flower thriving in an abandoned space—Dan sees what many pass by.

He also finds inspiration in the so-called “ugly” places—the urban corners most might ignore. He captures the life that still exists in them, the resilience that insists on being seen. “I try to show how truly ugly these places would be if they were void of the small lives and beauty that have adapted to survive there.”

Dan’s work is ultimately about empathy. His images and accompanying reflections aim to spark daydreams, start conversations, or simply offer a bit of comfort and wonder in a world that can feel overwhelming.

A Project for the Soul

The Big Hearted Canvas Project is more than art—it’s a mission. Every image Dan sells helps support the causes he believes in. His goal is to create a sustainable source of charitable donations through his creative work, blending his passion for photography with his lifelong commitment to service.

But Dan’s greatest challenge? Having the courage to call himself an artist. “I’m just doing something I love to do,” he says. “This project helped me find the bravery to express myself in a way I never thought I could.”

More than anything, Dan hopes his work invites people to pause, reflect, and maybe even feel a little more hopeful. “If someone looks at one of my images and feels joy, sees beauty in something unexpected, or softens their view of the world—that’s everything.”

Experience It Yourself

Dan’s Big Hearted Canvas Project will be featured on Saturday, July 20, through a special event presented by Rutherford Arts Council (RAC) and Atelier Eryn Santos Hair Design. The event will showcase Dan’s work, his mission, and his heart.

 Event details can be found on the RAC Facebook page