Sand Artist Castillo to Visit Campus on Sept. 5

World-renowned artist, pastor, author, storyteller and SandStory innovator Joe Castillo will visit University of the Ozarks on Thursday, Sept. 5, to kick off the University's 2024-25 Walton Arts & Ideas Series.

The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Walton Fine Arts Center's Seay Theatre. It is open to the public and there is no cost for admission.

Castillo's latest adventure in creative expression is called SandStory. Drawing in sand on a light table, he is able to create a powerful, fluid way of doing illustrations for large audiences. He reached the finals in Season Seven of America's Got Talent in 2012.

Powerful, visceral, are just a few of the words that have been used in attempting to describe what Castillo does. He has performed in over 20 countries, for Fortune 500 companies, Presidents, Kings, World Leaders, TED, CBS, NBC, and BBC.

A native of Mexico City, Castillo grew up surrounded by art and the cosmopolitan culture of an international city. In his teenage years a gospel message presented by a Christian Chalk artist brought him to faith in Christ. Moving to Florida, he attended Ringling School of Art, and graduated from Florida Bible College.

He founded The Advertising Library, a successful advertising agency in Knoxville, Tennessee. After 21 years in the advertising business and the loss of his beloved wife of 26 years to breast cancer, he sold his ad agency and enrolled in Asbury Seminary. His love of storytelling through art inspired him to illustrate what he was learning in a new way. These illustrations are attempts to present the Bible in an intricate story-form that grows out of the Biblical passages.

He earned a master's degree in Biblical studies and a master's in divinity degree from Asbury Seminary. He pastored a church in Richmond, Kent., for four years and worked as associate pastor of 'Chapel of the Good Shepherd' and executive director of Christian Hospitality Network.

Castillo is not only a performing artist, he is also a gifted speaker in both English and Spanish, entertaining and captivating hundreds of thousands of people over a period of 32 years. He has mastered the ability to share his art stories in a way that inspires, motivates and touches the heart. Speaking to corporate events, churches, and conferences has made him a much-requested entertainer, storyteller and motivational speaker.

Topics: WAIS