Richmond artist’s design featured on CVS Pharmacy journal

Richmond’s Ashley Briggs is one of four CVS Health colleagues whose artwork appears on the cover of a new store brand collection of journals now being sold in more than 6,700 CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide and on CVS.com. The artists’ designs — inspired by their personal mental health and wellness journeys — were selected following a company-wide call for art. It is the first time CVS Health colleague artwork has been featured on store brand products.

Briggs began using digital art as a means of creative expression during the pandemic when she grappled with feelings of isolation and sadness. Her design — “My Peace” — stems from a profound connection to Richmond’s flood wall, a place where she feels a deep sense of peace and tranquility. As an Afro-Latina, she felt it was crucial to incorporate a representation of herself in the design because she didn’t often see people who looked like her in art.

“I hope this piece can inspire others to be kind to their mind,” Briggs said, “I hope it’s something they love.”

Briggs’ notebook design

Briggs began working for Aetna, a CVS Health company, in 2016 and currently works as a senior representative for CVS Health. In 2020, she began creating art by learning from online videos and drawing digitally on her tablet.

Previously focused on designs for art prints, t-shirts and tote bags featured in two Richmond stores, Briggs was encouraged by a colleague familiar with her drawings to enter the company's contest.

A panel of colleague judges selected her work from more than 75 submitted designs. The winning artists received a cash award for their participation.

The journals are part of the Caliber® Fashion Artist Series, a line within the Caliber store brand of school, work and stationery store brand products. The winning designs aim to raise awareness of the impact that art and journaling can have on one’s daily life.

“Journaling has long been used to help people process their thoughts and emotions,” said Deborah Fernandez-Turner, Deputy Chief Psychiatric Officer, CVS Health. “Studies have shown that journaling after a difficult life event or about emotional expression and processing can help to improve one’s mood, anxiety and overall well-being.”

The journals retail for $8.99 and are also available at CVS.com. To purchase Briggs’ notebook or to view other winning artists’ work, visit the following product pages:

• Ashley Briggs (Richmond, VA): "My Peace" Journal
• Matthew Everett (Saunderstown, RI): "Late Blooming" Journal
• Makayla Huerta (Brea, CA): "Aesthetes" Journal
• Diego Rios (Ronkonkoma, NY): "Life Harmony" Journal