Jennifer Santaniello is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York, whose creative journey draws upon a rich tapestry of influences, styles, and genres. From her earliest memories, Jennifer recalls an irresistible urge to draw—compelled to capture whatever lay before her with the nearest pencil. “With my pencil in hand, anything felt possible,” she reflects. That sense of wonder and possibility still guides her work today.
Born into a family of artisans, Jennifer is the daughter of a successful mason. Some of her most formative memories are of sitting beside her father as he spoke on the phone, his hands absentmindedly sketching or doodling. In those quiet moments, Jennifer discovered a deep sense of peace and clarity—a feeling that would ignite a lifelong relationship with art.
What began with drawing soon evolved into a broader exploration of artistic expression. At just six years old, Jennifer received her first camera, an early sign of the multifaceted artist she would become. As a teenager, she refined her draftsmanship, and by the time she entered college, photography had become a powerful medium through which she could express the intricate landscapes of her imagination. For Jennifer, art was always more than a pastime—it was a portal. It transported her beyond the limitations of her environment into dreamlike worlds filled with magic and meaning. She began to realize that through her art, others might access these places, too.
Jennifer studied Illustration, Animation, and Photography at The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University in Cambridge, where she honed her technical abilities and broadened her creative voice. After graduation, she found herself immersed in the world of high fashion, accepting a position with a prestigious international fashion agency with offices in New York, London, and Paris. This experience redefined her artistic vision. Surrounded by some of the most innovative designers, photographers, and image-makers in the world, Jennifer came to view fashion as a living form of art. Working behind the scenes of New York Fashion Week, she developed expertise in digital imaging and photography while building lasting connections with global creatives.
Jennifer’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in New York, Washington D.C., Paris, and Moscow, and featured in various publications and art books. Yet her passion for creative expression eventually led her down a more intimate path—combining the healing power of art with the science of psychology.
After twelve years immersed in fine and digital arts, Jennifer pursued a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from New York University. She is now a Licensed and Nationally Board-Certified Art Psychotherapist and EMDR Therapist. Her clinical practice integrates psychotherapy with visual arts, using the creative process as a profound tool for healing and self-discovery. “It wasn’t enough that art had helped me heal—I wanted others to experience its healing power, too.”
Jennifer’s commitment to mental health continues to grow through her involvement in innovative clinical work. She is incredibly honored to serve on a dedicated team at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Westchester Campus, which has been selected as the site for New York State’s first 24/7 Care Intensive Crisis Residence. In development since 2022, this groundbreaking program offers an alternative to hospitalization for individuals in psychiatric crisis, providing round-the-clock access to integrated services—psychiatry, therapy, nursing, and case management—with the goal of stabilization and recovery. The patient response has been deeply affirming, and Jennifer is hopeful that many more programs like this will be established in the future.
Jennifer maintains both a private art therapy practice and working art studio in Westchester County, New York, and continues to provide art psychotherapy for all ages. Her practice remains rooted in evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and the transformative power of creative expression.
Artist Statement
“I will always have questions. Life is as much about doubt as it is about certainty. But there is one truth I’ve never questioned: I am an artist. I’ve known this for as long as I can remember. Every experience I’ve lived, every transformation I’ve undergone, finds its way into my art. Through all the change, one thing remains the same—my need to create. It is fundamental to who I am. My hope is that if you’ve found my work, you leave with something new—something that belongs only to you. Thank you for finding me here.”