Remy Cantrelle

Remy Cantrelle, BFA/digital art major, has been interning for NASA – and the experience has been out of this world.

Remy is one of 16 talented undergraduate artists selected by NASA from across the nation to intern in the 2025-2026 Psyche Inspired cohort. Known as the Platinum Class, the student creators created a series of works inspired by the NASA Psyche mission. This year’s cohort includes students studying art & design, physics & astronomy, biomedical and aerospace engineering, chemistry, environmental public health and more.

Psyche Inspired

Psyche Inspired is a program that brings undergraduate students from any discipline or major together to share the excitement, innovation, and scientific and engineering content of NASA’s Psyche mission with the public in new ways through artistic and creative works. The works are shared on social media to communicate about NASA’s Psyche mission to the public, and exhibited in the showcase exhibition in April 2026.

Psyche Inspired is an interdisciplinary program where undergraduate students create artistic works that communicate the story and science of NASA’s Psyche mission to a broader audience, Remy said. She has learned about scientific concepts and Asteroid Psyche 16 while challenging herself creatively, she said.

“This program has encouraged me to push my digital art practice further and think more deeply about how I translate scientific ideas into visual work, and I’m excited to keep developing that.”

The internship has been an incredible experience, she said. “The most memorable part for me has been getting to see the other team members’ work and being inspired by them. Also, hearing from special guests from the NASA team and learning more about our main subject, Psyche 16, has helped bring more accuracy and even their theories into my work.”

Asteroid Psyche 16

Psyche 16 is a massive asteroid located in the main asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars, a metallic body that scientists believe may be the exposed core of an early planet. What’s special compared to some other asteroids is that this is mostly made out of metal, rather than rock or ice, making it a key scientific target for understanding planetary formation. 

Remy’s animated work Heart of a Planet is inspired by Asteroid Psyche 16, part of her art created during her Psyche Inspired internship. The one-minute digital animation was created in Adobe After Effects, using her skills gained studying digital art at the LSU School of Art.

The Lone Coast, by Remy Cantrelle.

Heart of a Planet

“What interests me most about Psyche is not only its scientific mystery, but the emotional meaning behind it. It represents something that was once hidden beneath layers of rock, now revealed. The idea of looking beneath a surface, whether planetary or personal, is the main concept guiding this animation.”

“In the animation, I imagine a slow journey inward. The piece begins in the quiet darkness of space, where Psyche appears distant and cool. As the viewer moves closer, faint glimmers and shifting textures appear across its metal surface, suggesting that something warm or luminous may exist within. The animation then shifts into a descent toward the molten interior, where light grows stronger and more fluid. This visual transformation mirrors the experience of discovery: the moment when something hidden becomes visible and meaningful. Instead of approaching this as a literal scientific depiction, I am focusing on the emotional atmosphere of exploration. The animation is shaped by feelings of awe, curiosity, stillness, and quiet realization. I want viewers to feel as if they are slowly uncovering something valuable or sacred, even though the setting is cosmic and distant.”

Watch:

Cosmic Creator

Originally from Lutcher, Louisiana, Remy chose LSU for its dynamic art and design environment and the opportunity to explore digital media in depth. “It stood out as a place where I could turn my ideas into meaningful work,” she said.

“What I love most about digital art is the freedom to experiment and bring imagined worlds to life. Creating lets me combine technology and creativity to build something that feels both personal and meaningful.”

“After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in animation, ideally working on animated shows or films. I’m especially interested in visual storytelling and creating environments and imagery that help bring a story to life. Long term, I want to be part of a creative team while continuing to grow my own artistic style and voice.”

The possibilities, like our vast universe, are endless.