Fourth-year UT Austin Studio Art student Pierce Cedillo.
Last year, Ashley Castleberry, Pharm.D., M.Ed., Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Assessment and Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice, spearheaded the planning of the College of Pharmacy Faculty retreat with a specific goal in mind: authentic engagement. Dr. Castleberry had seen live painting at another conference she attended and knew she wanted to bring it to the College of Pharmacy faculty. "Watching art is actually a great way to listen," she says. "It keeps you engaged in conversation while seeing your thoughts come to life."
After Dr. Castleberry connected with the College of Fine Arts, student artist Pierce Cedillo was selected as the day’s creative-in-residence. Pierce skillfully employed her unique techniques and collaborative approach, transforming the flow of conversation into vibrant strokes on the canvas that captured both the essence of dialogue and the shared creativity of the group.
We asked Pierce to share more about her creative process and the connections she’s building between the arts and healthcare. Here is what she shared with us.
Describe your artistic practice in three words.
Respect, love and conversation.
I’ve been looking at my artwork through the lenses of respect, love and conversation. Much of my work is inspired by conversations I have with people close to me. Sometimes it’s super chill, but other times, those conversations can be quite heavy. I always hope that the person or idea I’m painting is represented in a respectful light and crafted with love.
I also rely heavily on research when it comes to my artwork, considering social and historical origins, and how those origins were extracted. I seek to draw out a person’s story or identity and paint them in a way that feels as if nothing was taken from them, but rather that they were able to share it honestly and mutually.
What energizes you most about being a UT Austin Studio Art student?
I’m energized by the diverse sources of knowledge and the myriad opportunities available to art students at The University of Texas at Austin. While I had the option to attend an art school, I was drawn to UT because of the experiences to be had outside of the studio. It’s easy to get focused on the materials and the aura and culture of Fine Arts, but I’ve also found great inspiration and made meaningful connections away from that comfort zone, particularly with people in engineering or STEM-related programs. This opportunity—creating a live artwork for the College of Pharmacy based on conversations about medicine and healthcare—was a really cool experiment in cross-sector collaboration, inviting new and creative perspectives for all involved. Me included!
Where is your favorite place to find inspiration and indulge your mind?
My studio. Provided to me by my Painting IV class, this space is a reflection of who I am—I’ve decorated it and made it my own. Outside of the studio, moments of inspiration can strike from anywhere. As long as I have my tiny sketchbook and pencils or pens to doodle or journal, I’m good.
Last year you created a painting inspired by the discussion topics during the College of Pharmacy Faculty Retreat. Tell us more about this experience and how it came to be.
I first heard about the opportunity through an arts opportunities email sent to all College of Fine Arts students. These emails typically list upcoming events or Calls for Artists across campus. I had never painted live at an event before or attended a University Faculty Retreat, so I was intrigued. With the deadline looming, I decided to express my interest and was selected shortly after.
The College of Pharmacy provided funds to cover the materials and invited me to sit in on important discussions between Deans Claudia Lucchinetti (Dell Medical School), David Vanden Bout (College of Natural Sciences), Eun-Ok Im (School of Nursing) and Sam Poloyac (College of Pharmacy) about their vision for interdisciplinary collaborations across their colleges and schools, which I then interpreted into an artwork.
In the room, I was set up on stage next to the speakers which was a bit nerve-wracking. However, once the conversations got going it created a good flow and I settled into the experience.
"There is a crucial connection between the arts and sciences: creativity. Creativity serves as the foundation for artistic expression and drives discoveries in the scientific world. We often associate the left side of the brain with logic and analysis, while the right side is linked to artistic thinking. For many health scientists, who primarily engage their left brain, it is essential to tap into the right brain regularly to enhance logical thinking. Both sides are interconnected and rely on one another. Furthermore, art plays a vital role in healing, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of well-being. As healthcare professionals, we should strive to incorporate artistic elements into our practices to foster a more holistic approach." — Dr. Ashley Castleberry
Is there anything that surprised or delighted you most about that day?
I was delighted by the genuine curiosity of the attendees and the questions they asked about me and my work. I think a lot of folks were interested to see how their discussions would translate to the canvas and what their words may have inspired.
Why do you think it’s important to explore the intersection of the arts and healthcare?
Exploring and working at the intersection of the arts and healthcare can provide new ways of seeing, processing and encouraging innovative thinking. I believe healing can also take place at this junction—healing in the physical, mental and spiritual realms. Many communities, including those from where I come, need this.
Right now, I’m taking a course called ‘Aesthetics of Health’ with Megan Hildebrandt, M.F.A and Susan Rather, Ph.D., where they explore the intersections of art history, medicine and different aspects of healthcare. We discuss how artists can engage in conversations with people in these fields. It reinforces my position and strengths, showing how working together and leveraging others' strengths can lead to meaningful work and discovery.
"The canvas is our tangible keepsake from our discussion. The session itself was focused on cross college collaborations to advance discoveries in healthcare for the communities we serve. Because we had the painting based on our discussion, we now have something that will forever remind us of our purpose, which we are very proud to see daily within our College of Pharmacy." — Samuel M. Poloyac, Dean and James T. Doluisio Regents Chair
What does the year ahead hold for you creatively?
I am excited to announce that I will be graduating this semester! Over the next few months, I have a full course load and will be working on a series based on in-depth conversations about people’s intentions with their tattoos.
Pierce's artwork is featured on the Spring 2025 cover of Focus, The Magazine of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. Explore more of her work here.