WANDER Featured in Berkshire Magazine (May/June)
WANDER founder Jay Santangelo is honored to be featured in the current issue of Berkshire Magazine. In a deeply personal piece written by Liam Gorman, the article traces Jay’s journey through grief, healing, and self-discovery—one that ultimately led to the creation of WANDER, a community-rooted space in downtown Pittsfield.
The feature captures the essence of what WANDER stands for: connection, authenticity, and a place where all are invited to show up fully as themselves.
Jay also contributed a self-portrait to accompany the article—marking their first professional photo assignment since stepping away from photography nearly a decade ago. The experience of returning to the camera through this story was both moving and full-circle.
Special thanks to Berkshire Magazine for helping tell the story of how WANDER came to be—a sanctuary for creativity, community, and queer joy.
Jay Santangelo (they/them) is the founder of WANDER Berkshires, a queer and trans-owned third space in downtown Pittsfield that merges hospitality, creativity, and community. WANDER is home to a recovery-focused café, an inclusive events venue, and the future site of the Berkshires’ first community-accessible black-and-white photography darkroom—offering both a gathering place and a sanctuary for creative expression and belonging.
Born and raised in Boston’s North End, Jay grew up immersed in the rhythms of food, family, and neighborhood connection. With a career grounded in hospitality and human-centered leadership, they’ve built a reputation for cultivating culture, care, and connection in spaces across the country.
A trained visual storyteller and educator, Jay studied at the International Center of Photography, where they were awarded The New York Times Foundation Scholarship. Their photographic + film work centers on often overlooked communities, exploring identity, resilience, and empathy through long-form analog storytelling, multimedia and documentary short films.
Jay spent a decade in executive hospitality and operations roles in Austin, TX—including as Director of Operations at MML Hospitality and later as Director of Hospitality and Culture at the creative agency Preacher.
In the summer of 2022, seeking healing, reconnection with nature, and a deeper sense of purpose, Jay relocated with their family to the Berkshires.
WANDER is the culmination of being both lost and found—a joyful, inclusive space where people can come as you are, create, heal, and build something meaningful together.
