From art teacher to tech director, Christian Aanestad is many things. Students in West’s art classes or theater department know him for teaching everything from fine art to construction. He’s the textbook definition of a mentor.
But more importantly, he knows Justin Timberlake.
Aanestad’s stories of his life outside of West are borderline unbelievable, as many students who work under him know. Whether they’re from his time attending West as a student, going to university or his many journeys after, they’re all entertaining.
Former WSS Editor-in-Chief Zoe Smith ’24 interviewed Aanestad while painting in the first episode of Christian’s Corner. In the second episode, WSS editor Anna Greenlee ’26 asks Christian about his time in high school, after college and as a part of Theatre West.
It isn’t truly an episode of Christian’s Corner if there isn’t an art project. Aanestad’s degree in ceramics and education truly comes in handy as he teaches Greenlee how to use a potter’s wheel — something she has never done before. By the end of this episode, Greenlee has not only learned some of Aanestad’s lore, she also has made what seems to resemble a mug.
Hear some of Christian Aanestad’s stories and learn how to throw pottery in the second episode of Christian’s Corner.
