Emily Chaves
Artist-in-Residence
Aquarela
2026 | Oil on canvas
Emily Chaves is a multidisciplinary artist based in Jacksonville whose work explores memory, identity, cultural heritage, and personal history. Inspired by her upbringing in Northeast Brazil, she uses color, symbolism, and a range of materials to create work that is deeply personal and emotionally resonant.
Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Florida, with a minor in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking, in 2025. She first joined Art with a Heart in Healthcare as an intern before becoming an Artist-in-Residence and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Art Therapy at Florida State University.
Inspired by a childhood photograph of Emily painting, Aquarela connects her earliest memories of creating with the sense of wonder she rediscovered years later while making art alongside pediatric patients and their families.
What drew you to Art with a Heart in Healthcare?
I have always believed art can be a tool for healing. When I was looking for hands-on experiences during my undergraduate studies, I wanted to intern somewhere that brought the healing power of art directly to people. I started as an intern for a semester and later became an Artist-in-Residence.
What ideas are you most drawn to in your personal art practice?
I am most drawn to exploring memory, identity, cultural heritage, and personal history as vessels for healing and self-expression. My work often centers on the human body, self-portraiture, natural elements, and cultural symbols.
I work across a range of mediums, including oil painting, carved ceramics, layered charcoal, and water-based processes. I try to choose materials intentionally so they reflect the emotional weight of each piece.
Tell us about Aquarela. What inspired it?
To me, art has always held a sense of magic. The world is filled with an endless spectrum of colors, and I am driven to capture and share that beauty. Just as mixing basic colors can create entirely new shades, art reminds us of the endless perspectives we can take.
The piece was also inspired by a photograph of me painting as a child. It became a way to reconnect with that younger version of myself and the sense of wonder I first found through creating.
How did your experience with AWAHIH influence the piece?
This work directly reflects my time creating with pediatric patients and their families through Art with a Heart in Healthcare. I saw the effect art could have in the hospital: helping children momentarily forget about their pain, shifting their attention away from their surroundings, and lifting their moods.
Creating with them helped me reconnect with my own inner child and reminded me of why art once felt so magical to me. It also renewed my appreciation for the boundless nature of creativity and reminded me of the role art has played in helping me through difficult times in my own life.
What do you hope people carry with them after seeing your work?
I hope viewers look inward and rediscover the magic art held for them as children. Or, if they never felt that connection before, I hope they can experience some of that magic through the eyes of a child.
More than anything, I hope the work encourages people to recognize the importance of art in their own communities and the value of making creative experiences accessible to others.
