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Community Member Spotlight: Shasta Haubrich
We started Community Member Spotlight to shine a light on people in our community who are walking the walk, not just talking the talk. These are people who work to make Fort Worth a better place. For our art issue, we naturally thought of Shasta Haubrich. The Executive Director of Art Tooth, Shasta works tirelessly to advocate for local artists while working as an artist herself.
Madeworthy: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where you’re from, educational background, art, work prior to Art Tooth, pets, anything you really want to share!)
Shasta Haubrich: I mostly grew up in Cleburne, but we lived in Japan until I was four and I was born in Washington state. Now I have technically lived in Fort Worth longer than I have lived anywhere. I received an Associate’s Degree from TCC and then worked at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth for ten years so I consider that part of my education. I have two adult (barely) children, Aurora and Apollo, a few porch cats and my son has a bearded dragon.
Amira Balmashkan, Shasta Haubrich, Jessica Beatty
MW: Your Patreon says that you create “pop-culture focused art.” Can you tell us a little more about that?
SH: Growing up in the country as an only child, I spent a lot of time watching TV. So I like researching sitcoms and tv shows and movies in various ways. For my most recent project I watched every episode of Golden Girls and tried to catalog every time they say some version of “What are you doing up?” and then I painted those scenes in three large canvases. I am also about to start selling prints of various favorite scenes from tv and movies and hopefully will start selling zines.
MW: Congrats on 10 years of Art Tooth! Can you tell us a little about the idea behind the founding of it?
SH: I started Art Tooth with six other artists from various backgrounds with a mission to create more opportunities for artists in Fort Worth. In many ways it is difficult for artists to show their work if you don’t have a relationship with a gallery. So we decided we would start creating our own art shows. Our first show was at 76102 gallery and then BRIK and we moved on to collaborating in various ways with different businesses and groups including Hotel Dryce, The Pool at Near Southside, FWSSR, Mayfest, and more.
MW: When did it become clear that Art Tooth wasn’t just a collective of artists, that it was evolving into a nonprofit with a real mission?
SH: I think we figured out pretty quickly we could make a difference as a non-profit vs a collective. We had our first gallery show in August of 2016 and we established ourselves as a nonprofit by March of 2017. Our methods have evolved so I try to work with several artists throughout the year. For example, In 2025 we worked with 70 artists and held 19 events. 25 of those artists were people I had never shown before.
MW: For those who are not aware of Art Tooth, what is your mission?
Art Tooth was founded with the intention to create more opportunities for artists in Fort Worth and to build relationships between artists, collectors, and art patrons.
By making contemporary art accessible to an increasingly broad and diverse public, we strive to continue to strengthen Dallas-Fort Worth’s reputation as an arts destination.
MW: A lot of art-based nonprofits are not run by artists. How does being artist-run make a difference in what Art Tooth does?
SH: I think it makes it easier for us because I can anticipate what makes it hard for some artists to get their work out there in the world and try to eliminate those barriers, because I have the same issues trying to show my art. I also think it’s easier for me to talk to artists directly and get their feedback on what they need.
MW: I’m not sure if Art Tooth could exist anywhere else. How does Fort Worth contribute to Art Tooth’s mission?
SH: I think there are several people who have helped us make it to ten years because people see us as a needed entity in Fort Worth. I feel like we are known for having access to several artists and we have the ability to reach out to artists easily.
MW: Conversely, how does Art Tooth contribute to Fort Worth’s role as a leading center for contemporary artists – especially new and mid-level artists?
SH: I don’t think we are reinventing the wheel by partnering with businesses to show art but I think/ hope we are trusted partners to artists and businesses and help eliminate some of the stress for artists trying to show their work for the first time or to a new audience.
MW: Art Tooth is committed to supporting artists from underrepresented communities. Why are inclusivity and equity in art representation so important?
SH: I personally think art should reflect society and we wouldn’t be reflecting society if we just showcased art from white dudes. Statistically, it is more difficult for non-white artists to get their work in galleries, so if we are truly supporting all artists we need to contribute to helping mitigate those barriers.
MW: How does Art Tooth ensure inclusivity and equity in your works?
SH: I think we have generally just tried to see who we have worked with and find a balance, but we are about to start implementing a process of surveying our past artists and getting a clearer picture of where we need to make improvements.
MW: Do you think your efforts have led to more diversity in the contemporary art scene in Fort Worth?
SH: No, I don’t think we can take any credit for that. I think we could probably be doing more.
MW: What do you think are the biggest challenges that artists face in Fort Worth today, both as an artist and as Executive Director of Art Tooth?
SH: I think that Fort Worth wants to be seen as art focused, but when you ask some businesses or leaders to actually support artists by paying them what they are worth they don’t want to contribute or they try to cut corners.
MW: How do you juggle your work as an artist with your job as Executive Director of Art Tooth?
SH: I am actually pretty bad at it. I think sometimes I sign up for stuff with my own art just so I have a deadline I have to make and then I get my art work done at the last minute.
MW: How does your career as an artist influence the way Art Tooth supports artists?
SH: I grew up in a small town and put myself through school while raising two kids so I have had my own hurdles to face trying to get my art out there including imposter syndrome and feeling like I am not educated enough. So I know what fears and hopes artists have and I know that sometimes getting that first chance is everything to keep you going.
MW: Where you see the contemporary art scene in Fort Worth going in the next five years?
SH: I hope we keep going and expanding but these rent prices are a big issue and I think there is a plateau for some artists where they have to leave or show their work in Dallas or move to Austin or Houston because we need more support once artists get to the point where they can sell high dollar pieces. If we can establish more residencies where artists get free studio space and get paid to work that will help significantly.
MW: Where do you see Art Tooth going in the next five years?
SH: We tried to have studio spaces and that didn’t work out but it would be great to have a permanent office and find funding for studios in the next five years and to expand how we work to collaborate with artists in new ways.
MW: Where do you see your art going in the next five years?
SH: I just hope it gets weirder.
Lightning Round: Fort Worth Favorites
- Coffee shop – Black Coffee and Avoca have my favorite match lattes and Cherry has my favorite drip coffee
- Breakfast/brunch place – Montgomery Street Cafe and Cafecito
- Hangout with friends – Chat Room and Boiled Owl
- Place to relax and recharge – My house
- Artist or musician (if this isn’t too political!) – Can’t pick one artist as a favorite but Son of Stan, Spring Palace and Hotel Satellite are my current fave local bands
- Yearly event or festival – Arts Goggle
- Favorite museum – The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth obs
- Thrift or consignment shop – Doc’s Records
- Best bartender, cocktail, or mocktail in town – Oh this one is definitely too political for me
- Best hamburger joint – Gusto’s
- Best barbecue – ok it’s like FW adjacent but Smoke’N Ash
- Mexican restaurant – I have done very little research in this category, but San Luis is probably the one I visit the most.
