School of Dentistry embraces creative side in Community Arts @ Health Sciences exhibition

The practice and study of dentistry is a perfect pairing of art and science: precision and perfection, data and detail, technique and talent. It is no surprise, then, that year after year, several members of the School of Dentistry community participate in the University of Minnesota’s Community Arts @ Health Sciences exhibition.

Each year, Health Sciences faculty, staff and students share works of art to be displayed in the Health Sciences Education Center and the Veterinary Medical Center North, in an effort “to inspire and enable students, faculty, staff and community members to engage with art and with each other, while highlighting the impactful ways that art and science inform one another.”

This year, five members of the School of Dentistry community—including faculty, staff and students—submitted artwork that will be displayed throughout the academic year. We spoke with a few of the artists about their work and why creativity is so important in the oral health care profession.

Morning Nectar; Golden Serenade

Maya Cheaitli, DDS ’27

“Photography has become one of my favorite ways to express myself. It helps me slow down, notice details, and share how I see the world. I enjoy connecting with others through the beauty I capture and inviting viewers to pause and appreciate the moments that make life meaningful. I've always enjoyed taking and sharing my photos, and it's incredibly rewarding when others connect with them as much as I do.

My photography submission is rooted in my love for travel, nature, and the landscapes that have left lasting impressions on me. Each photo holds a special memory and a unique story. 

Morning Nectar

This photo was inspired by the beauty of movement in nature. I wanted to capture the hummingbird in a fleeting moment, wings in motion as it hovered to drink nectar from the flowers. For me, it reflects the balance of energy and stillness found in nature’s smallest details.

Golden Serenade

This photo captures a bee in mid-flight, highlighting the subtle movements and quiet details of nature that often go unnoticed, yet reveal their beauty when we pause. It was inspired by the importance of slowing down, even in the busiest moments.

My photos are a form of self-expression for me, and I've always enjoyed sharing them for others to enjoy. I loved sharing my work in the exhibition for the last two years, so when I received the email for the HSEC art exhibition, I immediately knew I wanted to share my photos again. Through this submission, I aim to evoke a sense of appreciation for the beautiful moments in life. Exhibiting my work provides an opportunity to share my perspective with a broader audience and engage in a dialogue about the beauty surrounding us. I believe that art can inspire, provoke emotion, and foster connections, and I am excited to contribute my unique perspective to the collection of artworks within this exhibition.

Dentistry in itself is an art; from sculpting a crown to placing a filling, it all requires some form of artistic ability. Photography is also important in dentistry; high-quality images are essential for documentation, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Taking photos throughout the treatment process is becoming the new standard of care.”

Lost Youth

Aaron Kupcho, Executive Office and Administrative Specialist, Division of Dental Public Health

“I am a local Minneapolis artist. My main medium is spray paint. I have painted many large murals throughout the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area. I also paint canvas and design my own t-shirts, backpacks, and baby onesies. 

The artwork that I submitted is titled “Lost Youth”. It is a picture of crayons that are being destroyed as if a bullet was shot through them. What this artwork means to me: Youth and Young people are being affected by gun violence. It is destroying lives like a bullet destroying the crayons. The title Lost Youth means that childhood innocence is being lost to the lure of the streets, crime and violence.

I have participated in the HSEC exhibition this past year as well. I really enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to share my artwork with another audience. I applied for the opportunity again this year and was accepted.

I believe that art and dentistry intersect in many ways. It can be the artwork hanging in the dental office waiting room walls that gives the visitors a sense of calm. Art can be a way to help unwind after a busy day. Also, there is an art in dentistry. They way that you are shaping the restoration just perfectly suited for each individual mouth. Art also has you look at the world through a different lens, and this can be important to see other possibilities that you would have previously not thought of.”

The Girl; The Only Way Out Is Through; Where Color Sleeps; Begin Again; Fairy Flowers

Meghann Reedy, MSDH ’26

“My artwork reflects my journey with mental health. Creating it allows me to express emotions and experiences that can be difficult to articulate in other ways. Not only is it a creative outlet, but it opens the opportunity to connect with others. By making my artwork public, I am hoping to connect with others that face similar challenges. 

Dentistry is a blend of science and art. It is almost like an adult version of arts and crafts, with a much more elevated level. Both require detailed work, creativity and scientific understanding.”

Bloom

Zihan Yu, DDS ’29

“The pieces I submitted are photographs I took many years ago, when my dad bought a new digital camera and let me experiment with it. I wouldn’t say that moment directly led me to pursue a studio art minor, but it definitely played a part. I still distinctly remember the day the photos were taken. It was a nice spring day in Beijing and the smell of lilacs filled the air. “Bloom” is both a noun and a verb, and I love that duality. I hope to bring the beauty of spring blossoms and the energy of coming into bloom to the health sciences campuses during the long, cold winter. 

Even though I’m a first-year student and still getting to know the school, I’ve noticed and appreciated the many art pieces displayed throughout the health sciences buildings. Seeing how much of it was created by students gave me the courage to contribute something of my own. I thought “why not give it a shot?” and submitted with no expectations. So I was genuinely surprised and grateful when my pieces were selected.

I’ve worked on a couple of public health projects that involved art installations and really saw the impact of art on the community and the presence of art all around us, often in places we don’t directly associate art with. I see dentistry and art intersecting not only on the individual level, where dentists make their patients’ teeth both functional and aesthetic, but also on a broader level, where art could positively impact the physical and mental wellbeing of the community.”