Celebrating 15 years of the SaludArte Program: Shuli Sadé brings new light to healing spaces
Modern medicine seeks to treat patients holistically by creating environments enriched by creativity, comfort and compassion. We know that these are key steps to enhance a patient’s healing process.
That is exactly why University Health created the SaludArte: Art of Healing program in 2010. Now 15 years old, SaludArte hosts more than 5,500 pieces of art placed across University Health to uplift patients, families and care teams alike.
Recently, with the support of donors Rene and Patty Escobedo, SaludArte was able to fund a residency program that employs talented and diverse artists from across the country. The artists work onsite and integrate their unique artistic approaches here at University Health.
In April, the program hired its third resident, New York-based artist Shuli Sadé, to unleash her talents on the community. During a two-week stay in San Antonio, she engaged with University Health care teams, administrators and patients to enrich her artistic process.
“I’ve done many hospital art projects, but I’ve never seen a space with so much art,” Shuli said. “I took the opportunity to do this residency because it brings together exactly what I like to do, which is serve by healing people through my art.”
If you’ve ever visited New York and love the arts, you may have seen glimpses of Shuli’s work in hospitals, airports and city halls. Her pieces include photography, video, sculpture, augmented reality and more. A lifelong artist who discovered her calling at the age of 8, Shuli has spent her career transforming public spaces.
While visiting University Hospital, Shuli created innovative augmented reality pieces that highlight San Antonio’s natural beauty.
Patients, visitors and team members scan QR codes throughout University Health and immerse themselves in digital art.
“Art in hospitals is about giving the mind a respite from worry,” Shuli said. “When you’re waiting in a clinic, a meaningful piece of art can be like a meditative process that draws your attention away from stress.”
Shuli’s two-week residency did not stop at the Main Campus. We will also feature her work in the new University Health Retama Hospital, a community hospital set to open in early 2027.
Shuli said that her work for Retama would look different from her immersive digital pieces at the Main Campus. This series of work will focus on flat, two-dimensional artwork on windows and walls that is designed to meet hospital maintenance standards.
“The pieces at Retama will be built to withstand the day-to-day wear of a medical setting, while still offering visual relief and moments of peace for patients, visitors and team members,” Shuli said.
Known for exploring themes like maps of memory and the architectural DNA of cities, Shuli’s work process is often experimental and reflects an urban setting, so Shuli looked for inspiration from the outdoors by embracing the local culture. She spent time at the River Walk, explored the breathtaking botanical gardens and even attended her first Fiesta parade.
As she prepared to return home, Shuli left a message for the donors who helped make this program and her residency possible.
“Thank you so much for supporting programs that bring art, hope and healing to patients’ lives,” she said. “What a gift from your hearts. I’m grateful to you as an artist because this collaboration opened up new horizons where I met new people and came to a place where I can contribute.”
If you would like to make an impact on the healing environment of any of University Health’s established or future buildings, please contact University Health Foundation at Foundation@uhtx.com or visit www.UniversityHealth.com/foundation. You can also make a donation online.