Natasha Beste
Video Production & Video Animation
Out of School Arts
(she/her/hers)

Natasha Beste (USA) is a video & installation artist, animator, performer, and educator born in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1982. Her work is unified through personal narratives surrounding the mind, body, and trauma. She received a BA in Media Arts and Communication from Wayne State University, in Detroit, MI (2005). Her work has been showcased at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Media City, DAMNED, Museum of Contemporary Arts Detroit (MOCAD), Northend Studios, and University of Michigan / Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design: work • Detroit. She has been in collaboration with Kresge Arts in Detroit and Cranbrook Museum. Since 2010, she's been co-director of Gold House Media, a boutique video production company focusing on music videos, documentary, and television/podcast production whose work has helped socially progressive Detroit nonprofit organizations raise funds and win special award grants for vital programs. Since 2006, she has taught media arts in Michigan at Wayne State University and Marygrove University – also serving Detroit neighborhood programs including Boll Family Y-Arts and Ladybug Studios. She is currently teaching at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, lives in Oxford, Michigan, and is celebrating 16 years with teaching with Living Arts!

Get to know Natasha!

Q: What is your go-to dance move?

A: I free-style to where the music takes me.

Q: What was the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

A: Babysitting!

Q: What is the funniest thing you’ve ever heard a young person say?

A: “You don't have any kids? Then YOU'RE the kid of the house?!”

Q: If you could be BFF's with any fictional character, who would it be and why?

A: Tracy Turnblad from John Waters' "Hairspray" because she is thoughtful, funny, confident, and stands up for people who need support.

Q: What is the most memorable or most impactful art experience you’ve had as an adult?

A: The most inspiring moments are when I tell students that, 'Yes, you CAN tell that story!'