Meet The Crew

Lux has dedicated her life to nurturing creativity in others. Her first job at just 13 years old was teaching art to kids—a role that ignited her lifelong belief in the transformative power of art education.

 

Since then, Lux has worn many hats in service to children and families: camp counselor, tutor, nanny, au pair, household manager, preschool director, and charity organizer for programs benefiting low-income families. Her ability to create safe, encouraging environments for growth has remained at the heart of everything she does.

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Lux’s professional career began at just 12 years old, when she joined the Tremaine Teen Dance Team—then the most established dance studio in Hollywood. She had begun her artistic training at the age of four and, by eleven, was already enrolled in community college to accommodate a full-time professional schedule. Lux went on to earn her B.A. at UC Riverside and later continued her higher education in the Communications Master’s program at Hawaii Pacific University.

 

She went on to work as an actress, model, and singer, before moving into leadership roles behind the scenes as a Runway Director, Fashion Week Founder, Film Producer, Photographer, Industry Set and Graphics Designer, and founder of both an Arts & Culture Magazine and a Talent Agency.

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Bringing these diverse experiences together, Lux has built Art Hub Academy not only as a school, but as a movement to keep creativity alive—a place where art becomes the thread that connects people, inspires growth, and strengthens community.

Brittany Canales is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a BFA in Visual Arts Studies (Art Education) with a minor in Arts Management and Administration.

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Since March 2025, she has served as the Studio Manager and Events Coordinator at ART HUB.

Prior to her role at ART HUB, she taught art in multiple AISD schools, at JCC summer camps, and at the Rise School of Austin. She also gained extensive experience in Special Needs services, working with long-term clients as well as nonprofit organizations such as Imagine Art. In addition, she spearheaded and directed programming for Renowned, a creative magazine and artist collective dedicated to empowering artistic voices and expanding access to the arts.​

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She is a dynamic and motivated creative with experience in relationship building, project conceptualization and completion, educational programming, and supporting individuals in achieving success.

 

As a certified Texas Art Educator, Brittany brings strong creative capabilities, exceptional communication skills, and proven leadership facilitation. Her educational and professional background has shaped her into an optimistic leader who thrives both independently and collaboratively.

 

She approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm and dedication!

Melissa Torres grew up where two worlds meet—on the border of Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Life there was colorful and complex: two languages, two cultures, two ways of seeing the world, all blending into one.

 

It was the perfect backdrop for a young girl who couldn’t stop drawing. Her first sketches appeared before she could even write and by age five she was already creating characters and comic strips, her imagination running faster than her pencils could keep up.

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But there was a challenge. While Melissa’s father, an architect, was her greatest teacher and fiercest critic, after-school art classes were out of reach. Instead of giving up, Melissa created her own opportunities. She built her own theater groups, danced with local troupes when backup performers were needed and drew with whatever materials she could find—charcoal, pastels, even mud on paper. Each challenge only fueled her determination to make art her life.

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The turning point came in her teens and later in college, where Melissa dove headfirst into every creative course she could find—painting, sculpture, theater, modern dance. Surrounded by equally passionate siblings in music and the arts, she carved out her own voice as an artist. Peers kept saying she was always the “teacher’s pet" not just for her skill but for her devotion to learning and creating.

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Today, Melissa is an artist who paints from a deep inner need and takes portrait commissions, but her story comes full circle in the classroom. For her, teaching art is the happy ending—and the new beginning. She believes every child is born an artist, and her mission is to make sure they never forget it. With her students,

 

Melissa isn’t just teaching techniques; she’s passing on the lesson she learned at the border: that creativity can overcome any challenge and that art is a bridge between worlds.

Jeffrey Morgan, once renowned for painting "live" in public spaces, has transitioned from an artist on the move to a studio painter with a deeply experimental and emotionally charged approach.

 

His belief is simple yet profound: capturing the essence of an individual requires a balance of craftsmanship, soulful insight, and mastery of tools and techniques.

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Morgan's portraits have been shaped by diverse environments—from the laid-back vibes of San Diego to the soulful energy of New Orleans and the eclectic spirit of Asheville. “Each place brought its own cultural mood, which influenced the vibe of my work,” he explains.

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The experience of painting in front of an audience played a pivotal role in his development, pushing him to compete with himself and "activate" his creativity under pressure.

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In his classes, you’ll gain a rare glimpse into his artistic journey, built over 25 years of exploration. Expect to learn about his process, the importance of experimentation, and the vital freedom that fuels true creativity.

Self-portrait, Mixed Media, Collage, Art Elementals

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Jean-Pierre’s journey as an artist began in his birthplace of Manhattan. At just seven years old, he told his mother he would grow up to be an artist—a declaration that proved to be true.

 

Much of his childhood was spent drawing, dancing, and roller skating, immersed in the vibrant energy of New York City’s pop art, graffiti, and punk rock movements of the 1970s and 80s.

 

At age 14, after relocating to California, his creative perspective expanded further, shaped by the state’s skateboarding culture, jazz scene, and yogic influences.

 

While pursuing his studio arts degree in Sacramento, Jean-Pierre was awarded the prestigious Wayne Thiebaud Painting Scholarship and also completed a minor in Children’s Studies.

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Since then, he has dedicated his life to the arts—not only as a practicing artist but also as a curator, gallery director, and teacher. Passionate about mentorship, he has guided both youth and adults in discovering and developing their creative voices.

Zach Paul brings a unique combination of service and artistic passion to youth education.

 

As a military veteran and former firefighter/EMT, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment to service and developed strong leadership skills, team collaboration abilities, and a calm presence under pressure.

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Throughout his service career, Zach has maintained a lifelong dedication to the arts. His diverse creative background provides him with deep understanding of artistic discipline, visual storytelling, and the technical skills essential for teaching art fundamentals to young learners.

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Zach's experience in emergency response has reinforced his commitment to safety and his ability to create structured, supportive environments where children can thrive.

 

He believes strongly in helping students discover their creative potential while building confidence, patience, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the art classroom.

 

His goal is to inspire young artists in a safe, encouraging space where they can explore, experiment, and develop both their artistic abilities and personal character.

Amanda is a comedian, writer, and producer. Her path has not always been linear; originally moving to New York to pursue musical
theatre, Amanda found herself training at Upright Citizens Brigade, and regularly
performing sketch and stand up comedy.

 

She has been a recurring character on TruTv’s Hack My Life as Officer Mack, appeared in the film Timing on AmazonPrime, and stars in Alex Anderson’s latest feature length film, Fog.

In 2017 she began her own production company, It Could Be Worse, where she writes, performs and produces comedic content, including her character series Moms on the Go and Hello, Beautiful.

 

She has written for the award winning digital series Tech Bettys and is currently shopping her latest feature film Waffle House with her co-writer and queer country artist Paisley Fields.

As an educator, Amanda is passionate about helping people hone in on genuine performance and connecting with their audience.

 

If you are a student preparing for an audition or would like an opportunity to work on a scene or source better auditioning material, she’s here to help!

Brie Elise knows what it’s like to struggle with confidence on stage. As a teen, she discovered the power of storytelling and performance to transform shyness into self-assurance—a journey that led her to earn a B.A. in Film and Media Studies from UC Berkeley and build a multifaceted career in film and live events.

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Over more than a decade in Los Angeles, she worked both in front of the camera—including a featured role in Future World alongside James Franco and Snoop Dogg—and behind it, taking on roles from Casting Director to Unit Production Manager. Her production experience includes coordinating major live events such as the Billboard Music Awards, the Golden Globes, and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.

She also worked with Penske Media, a chapter that brought her to Austin, Texas.

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Today, she continues to create stories for both screen and community impact—most recently through the Austin 48-Hour Film Festival and a short film with the nonprofit Art With Impact. A proud SoHo House member, she is also pursuing her master’s degree to become a somatic therapist, deepening her understanding of the mind-body connection while continuing to produce content.

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Now, Brie Elise offers two distinct programs:

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• Teens (10–18): Build confidence and creativity through acting and UGC video creation—developing the ability to craft compelling 30-second stories from concept to cut.

• All Ages (Teens + Adults): Dive into full-spectrum production training—covering pre-production planning, streamlined pitching, and polished post-production.

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Whether stepping in front of the camera or directing behind it, participants will emerge with storytelling power, production skills, and the confidence to bring any vision to life.

Sam Kins AKA StudioKollisions is a Mixed-Media/Visual Artist creating abstract,
figurative works. Her works span a range of large-scale paintings, sculptural/illustrative ceramic pieces, handmade jewelry, experimental sketchbook originals, and poetry.

 

Her profound sense of creative curiosity pushes her ever-growing artistic process to incorporate a wider array of mediums, materials, and techniques.

 

She aims for a viewer
to connect with deeper themes within her work or ponder a colorful glimpse into a new world.

 

Sam has displayed her works in solo and group exhibitions, local galleries, studios,
theatres, festivals, and many other creative venues.

In addition to her self-taught studio practice, Sam is passionate about cultivating creative community. She is the
Founder of @FantasyFigureATX, a local figure drawing community group specializing in unique, themed figure-drawing sessions.

 

You can find her hosting creative workshops or curating local pop-up art markets, in hopes of supporting fellow artists.