Brea artist’s design featured on CVS Pharmacy journal

Brea’s Makayla Huerta 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.

Art has always been Huerta’s shoulder to lean on, an outlet during stressful times and her main form of expression. She said that going to college for illustration greatly improved her mental health.

In her watercolor notebook design titled “Aesthetes” — a modern take on a stationery item popular in the mid and late-20th century — she replaces student-athletes with everyday women who find joy in the artistic things life offers. Among those featured, the individual on the top left of the design is her long-time friend and classmate.

Huerta’s notebook design

Huerta worked at her local CVS Pharmacy store until May 2024. She’s now focusing on her education and recently finished her second year at Fullerton College. She aspires to transfer to ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where she can continue developing her skills and love of art.

Music, reading, writing and art all serve as calming and tranquil activities for Huerta. 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 the latest addition to CVS Pharmacy’s Caliber ® Fashion Artist Series, part of the broader Caliber 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 Huerta’s notebook or to view other winning artists’ work, visit the following product pages:

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