Whatever you give them, everyone’s interpretation is different. That’s what art does, it lets people see how you interpret the world around you.”

Jennifer Castellano

Jennifer Castellano, a Stanley-Boyd Elementary art teacher of five years, has made a lasting impact in the local community with her art studio located in Boyd, Wisconsin. The Sanguine Art Studio, 615 E. Murray St., a place where students can let their creativity flow, has been a part of the Stanley and Boyd communities for five years and when you enter the studio, you can instantly feel the artistic connection. Instructional classes at Sanguine Art Studio range from group lessons, private classes, and even birthday parties, where patrons can explore painting, string art, beadwork, jewelry making. Recently a Mom’s Night Out class sponsored by the Stanley WI Mom Facebook group was held at the studio that paired painting with wine, snacks, and great company.

 “A lot of people were there that had never met before so new connections and relationships were made. All in all, a great experience,” Castellano describes as she admits that it lasted longer than was expected because of great conversations happening. 

The journey to becoming an Art teacher in Stanley has been a winding road for Jennifer. While she has had a love of creativity since she was small, she didn’t plan to be an art teacher, instead she began to work towards a degree in kinesiology at Michigan State where Jennifer’s love of teaching art was sparked and has been burning ever since. After deciding that kinesiology wasn’t the route for her, Castellano transferred to the University of Minnesota Duluth where she started in the art program. From there she took a job at the Boys and Girls Club, heading up their art program when Castellano met Eric, her husband of eight years. Together they moved all over the country to Alaska, Wisconsin, Michigan and finally back to Wisconsin where Jennifer eventually accepted a position at Stanley Boyd after a brief stint teaching in Eau Claire. “We fell in love with the relationships we made. Everyone is very genuine,” Castellano explains, describing the kindness of the community as she states why they were drawn back to Wisconsin. “I’ve seen time and time again, everyone just stepping up for each other.” 

Though Castellano had previously opened an art studio called Blue Canvas with some colleagues during the time she was teaching in Eau Claire, it wasn’t feasible to continue when she began to teach in Stanley Boyd. And when Jennifer’s husband, a self-employed carpenter, found the studio space in Boyd, it was love at first sight for Castellano.

 “I saw the vault and I was sold,” she remembers with a smile.

 The word sanguine means optimistic and positive so choosing the name Sanguine for her studio came easily as starting in the Stanley Boyd area was a fresh start for her. Sanguine also refers to a deep red color, a feature that Castellano used for inspiration in her logo.

Besides being an Art teacher, Castellano is also on the school’s PBIS committee and an advisor to the Stanley Boyd Elementary Student Lighthouse Team, which is part of the Leader in Me initiative, a learning process that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive.  Castellano loves teaching her students especially when they are hit with the “lightbulb movement,” when she is teaching an art technique and the students see it come to fruition and instantly want to try it themselves.  She enjoys seeing the end result, “Just the smile and joy when they are so proud of what they did.”  She further mentions that adults seem to have a harder time feeling comfortable expressing their creativity than children do and adds that “kids have no problems just putting themselves out there.”  

As a former student athlete and current basketball coach, school sports are very important to Castellano, but she also wants to give support to students who wish to further explore art and its endless possibilities. “Our community is very focused on sports. I was a student athlete, I’m a coach. I one hundred percent support that but I see that there is sometimes a gap in how we support other extracurricular things.”

When asked what she hopes to see for the future of the art studio, Castellano mentions looking into grants so she could make her studio workshops affordable for any student who wishes to attend and experience art outside of what is available at school.
“I started to move towards looking into turning (the art studio) into a nonprofit. If I could afford it, I would have my doors open and kids could come in and do art the whole time or any kid could join any workshop.”

Recently Castellano entered her own artwork at the Blue Ox Music Festival, a family friendly three-day event held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was an experience she isn’t likely to forget as she describes her gratefulness to the Blue Ox Music Festival for inviting her to participate in the festival and to the countless individuals who supported and assisted her along the way. Castellano worked for several months on intricate hand-woven hoops that she was excited to share with festival attendees at the outdoor gallery. She explains, “These hand-woven hoops are inspired by the magic that bubbles bring to everyone, especially our children, who are the purest version of themselves and are a beautiful example of simplicity and innocence. “

Castellano draws her own inspiration of art from her students, admitting that on a personal level she likes intricate things and busywork.

 “I am always amazed and continue to be amazed with what every person, young or old, comes up with out of the same set of instructions or guidelines.”

 Her eyes light up as she describes her students and their creative abilities.

“Whatever you give them, everyone’s interpretation is different. That’s what art does, it lets people see how you interpret the world around you.”