This week’s interview with Jenna Wood has been a particularly fun one to do. Not only is Jenna a former student, she and her family have also become my friends over the past two years. Learning more about her has been truly interesting.
Jenna’s strongest memories of MHS center around softball. As she says, “Playing softball was definitely a highlight for me in high school. It was a huge part of my life at the time and my biggest passion!” One of her most memorable activities in high school was playing on the Varsity softball team.
Another extra-curricular activity that Jenna participated in was Forensics. She was part of a group performance “How to Talk Minnesotan.” In addition, her solo “Oral Interpretation” piece earned her a trip to the state forensics meet in Madison where she received a Gold Medal!
When asked about her favorite classes and teachers, Jenna responded that one teacher who stood out was art teacher Kristen Puhl Berger. “I always enjoyed having her as a teacher! She is such a fantastic artist herself, so it was fun to learn from her.” This was a perfect match since all her life Jenna has loved being able to create and learn new skills. Her art classes were an excellent outlet for her in high school, and she continues to “draw” on those lessons to this day.
During her senior year of high school Jenna worked at the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street. She loved it there since she got to learn a lot about the community and had opportunities to meet many different people. “I would also help out at my mom’s work, Badger Liquor, and do some graphic design projects as well as work in the print shop.” Jenna noted that her sister Shawna worked there as well, adding “Creativity runs in this family!”
When asked about her favorite classes and teachers, Jenna responded that one teacher who stood out was art teacher Kristen Puhl Berger. “I always enjoyed having her as a teacher! She is such a fantastic artist herself, so it was fun to learn from her.” This was a perfect match since all her life Jenna has loved being able to create and learn new skills. Her art classes were an excellent outlet for her in high school, and she continues to “draw” on those lessons to this day.
During her senior year of high school Jenna worked at the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street. She loved it there since she got to learn a lot about the community and had opportunities to meet many different people. “I would also help out at my mom’s work, Badger Liquor, and do some graphic design projects as well as work in the print shop.” Jenna noted that her sister Shawna worked there as well, adding “Creativity runs in this family!”
After high school, Jenna spent her first two years of college at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. She absolutely loved the beautiful campus and amazing people she met.
However, once she knew she wanted to focus on art and graphic design, she transferred to UW-Stout in 2008 because of its well-respected art program – and because it was close to home. At Stout, Jenna studied multimedia design with a goal to go into animation. “I loved to design and create characters.” She graduated in 2011.
While at both St. Mary’s and UW-Stout Jenna had continued to participate in softball as a pitcher as well as playing first and third bases, making enduring memories with those teams.
She also worked for UW-Stout Athletics as a tricaster director and graphic designer—videoing and recording sporting events. She created posters and other graphic design items. In addition, she worked at Chippewa Valley Golf Club (now Tanglewood) on the grounds crew.
“I took the spring semester off my senior year of college to work at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom as a driver for Kilimanjaro Safaris. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I’m so glad I took that time to experience something new. It really inspired me!”
After graduating college, her first job was at Big Dot of Happiness in Menomonie. Soon after she began working as a graphic and web designer for a small company in Eau Claire.
Then after almost six years… “I knew that I wanted to own my own business. I wanted to be a full-time artist/owner creating things that made me happy. So I started Wood Creative, LLC, in 2018 and am still going strong!
After doing my first-ever mural for the Eau Claire Color Block in 2020 (Nash the Astro Giraffe), I realized that painting murals was something I really wanted to do. I now specialize in illustration, custom murals, print and digital design, as well as in web design.”
Jenna is currently working on one of the largest murals of her career. She was given the opportunity to design and paint a Milwaukee Brewers mural commissioned by the team itself. Located in Eau Claire on the side of The Pickle on Water Street it will have its final reveal the end of July.
In 2014 Jenna married Mark Wood, a fellow 2006 MHS graduate. Mark is also very creative and works as a graphic designer for Menards. They have two “amazing” boys Nash (9) and Jett (4). Besides her design projects, Jenna is having a blast this summer spending time with her family at T-ball games and getting ready for the hockey season.
The family lives in Menomonie where they can all experiences the qualities that make our city so special. “Menomonie always had and still has a great sense of community that made growing up here so enjoyable. I love all the nature that surrounds the area. I also love the small town feel while still being only a short trip away from Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.”
Jenna closed our interview with “Menomonie is a great place. I feel very lucky to get to work my dream job while also being able to spend so much time with my boys. That’s why Mark and I chose to raise our family here.”
And we’re so lucky that you have chosen to remain here, Jenna, sharing your creative talents and love of family and community with us!
Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected]
