Joe Castillo

Joe Castillo is the keynote speaker, best-selling author, artist, storyteller and finalist from America's Got Talent who has developed a new way of telling stories with his hands in the sand.   In both live keynote programs & virtual presentations— he will keep your audience engaged, inspired, and mesmerized.  

SandStory is a unique way of storytelling that uses sand art, a light table, and music as a medium.  He has been seen live on all 7 continents, over 43 countries, and into 35 different languages.  He has done events for world leaders including President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Juan Manuel Santos, Pope Francis and King Abdullah.  He has performed on NBC, CBS, FOX, BBC, PBS, ESPN, Univision and RCN Televisión.  His work has been featured on America's Got Talent, Q'Viva! The Chosen, X-Factor and The Today Show.

Here are some other ways people have used Sand Animation.

Faces / Celebrities / Sandtoons
Videos / Commercials / In Studio Filming
Keynote Speaker
Faith / Spiritual
Special Events / Non Profit / Foundations
Sports / Arenas
Healthcare / Pharmaceutical
Corporate / Trade Shows
New Product / Branding
Countries / Cities / States
Weddings / Birthdays / Celebrations
America's Got Talent / TV / Commercials
Mr. Castillo is the world's premier Sand Animation  (SandArist) performer living in the United States of America.  He was born in Mexico City. He was interested in art from a very young age. He attended Ringling School of Art and later graduated from Florida Bible College. He then began an advertising agency in Knoxville, Tennessee called The Advertising Library. He spent 20 years in advertising before he returned to Asbury Theological Seminary to get his M.A. in Biblical Studies and M. Div.

His experience in advertising and art lead him to become a motivational performing artist. Since then, he has created a new and unique way to express his art and message. These are called SandStory, ArtStory, and WordStory. He is the most prominent Sand Animation artist in the world today.

Storytelling

Joe has been using art to tell stories since he was a teenager. He has become a master storyteller. He developed ways to use his talent as an artist to enhance the powerful stories he crafts. Using a whiteboard and marker, Castillo performs ArtStory and WordStory that combine his oratory and artistic gifts to relay a message, inspire, or entertain. He does this in both English and Spanish.

Amazing Sand Art

Sand Art is otherwise known as Sand Painting, Sand Animation, SandStory. Castillo uses a light table, sand, and music to create a powerful message that speaks to the audience. As he creates different scenes, they are displayed on a screen for the audience to see. Music helps make the scenes appear fluid. The story typically needs no explanation. Traveling the world to perform his show, he has been introduced in 35 different languages, but his Amazing Sand Art is only told in one. It is a universal way to tell a story.

Motivational Performing Artist

Castillo has performed for many Fortune 500 Companies. He has performed for many audiences including kings, dignitaries, and CEOs. He has a passion for using his talent as an artist and a storyteller to promote a corporate message. He performs at banquets, new product launches, grand openings, and other corporate events. His gift is to take any message and make it resonate with the audience.

Some past clients:
Apple Computers
Burger King
Dignity Health
Ford Lincoln Mercury
General Motors
KAUST, King Abdulla University of Science & Technology
Pittsburgh Penguins
Restaurant Leadership Conference
Ronald McDonald Houses
Sony Online Entertainment
Accomplishments

In 2011, Castillo was asked to close the TEDActive Conference with his performance entitled "The Rediscovery of Wonder!" In that same year, he performed at TEDGlobal in Edinburgh, Scotland. "Turning the Tide" was created by PBS to document Castillo's revolutionary Sand Animation.

Castillo has received many awards for his work. In 2012, he performed his Sand Animation on the NBC reality show America's Got Talent where he made it to the finals.  Find out the whole story... Read the amazing and inspirational tale of how sand changed one man's life.    SandStory: The amazing tale of How Sand Changed My Life.

Topics & Music

Keynote Address Topics: (with SandStory illustrations)
- Seven principles of INNOVATION.
- Four deep wells of MOTIVATIONAL energy
- The Infallible Key to RECOVERING from failure
- Three steps to RENEW your image

SandStory Musical Selections:
1. What a Wonderful World –  Louis Armstrong
2. Stand By Me ~ Ben E. King
3. Lovely Day – Bill Withers
4. Beautiful Day – U2
5. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
6. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Monty Python
7. Don't Worry be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
8. Teardrop – Massive Attack
9. Perfect Day – Lou Reed
10. Imagine – John Lennon
11. What a Feeling – Irene Cara
12. Remember the Name – Fort Minor
13. Lust For Life – Iggy Pop
14. Human – The Killers
15. Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Simon & Garfunkle
16. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
17. Not Afraid – Eminem
18. We are the Champions – Queen
19. You Gotta Be – Des Ree
20. Where is the Love? – Black Eyed Peas
21. Feelin' Good - Michael Buble
22. Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
23. It's My Life – Bon Jovi
24. You're Beautiful – James Blunt
25. Get up Stand up – Bob Marley
26. Skyscraper – Demi Lovato
27. Save the World – Swedish House Mafia
28. Ain't No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
29. Don't Stop Believing – Journey
30. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

31.  Watch the Magic  - Take Flight by Lindsey Sterling

32.  Friends - Colors of the Wind

SandStory Tribute Packages:
The Country Legends SandStory Package: Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Zac Brown, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash
The British Legends SandStory Package: The Beatles, Rolling Stones.
Elvis SandStory Package: Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook Up, Don't Be Cruel, Can't help fallin'
Top Pop Singers SandStory Package: Michael Jackson, Maddona, Steve Wonder, Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury
Cocktails and Crooners SandStory Package: Michael Bubble, Ray Charles, Marylin Monroe, Dean Martin, Tony Bennet