Alesha Beistline

Alesha Beistline (aka Mrs. B!) has worked in Royal Oak for twelve years as an Elementary Art Teacher for Royal Oak Schools. She is the Fine Arts Learning Council Representative for Royal Oak Schools (2018-Present), a Region 7 Co-Liaison for the Michigan Art Education Association (2016-Present), the Vice President of the Royal Oak Arts Council (2021-Present), and is an educator at the Atelier Art Studio in downtown Royal Oak (2021-Present). In the past she chaired the Royal Oak Celebration for the Arts, which is how she was first introduced to the Commission for the Arts. Alesha has lived in Royal Oak for eleven years now, after deciding to make the city she worked in her home. She currently lives with her husband Giovanne and their two kids Henry and Liana. They spend much of their time enjoying local staples such as the library, farmer's market, and many beautiful parks.

 Alesha joined the Commission for the Arts in 2018. She originally got involved due to her love of the arts and her desire to build connections between the amazing art happening in the community and her art students in the local schools. She stays because she loves our city and admires the people on this commission. She looks forward to bringing more art of all types into Royal Oak and finding ways to help our community better interact and engage through the arts. Alesha enjoys many forms of art and says she could never choose a favorite! Right now, she is drawn to mixed media collage, environmental art, interactive sculpture, collaborative community art, printmaking, installation art, contemporary dance, journaling, and storytelling.

Why does Royal Oak need art?

Royal Oak absolutely needs art. Art has the transformative power to bring a community together. It builds culture, stimulates economic growth, inspires creativity, and creates a sense of belonging. Art is physical, emotional, and spiritual. It brightens, opens, and heals. Art brings awareness and creates change. To be the community we all desire to be, Art must be seen as a priority in our city.