At Hive Arts Academy, our instructors bring together creativity, experience, passion, and a commitment to helping young people discover what they can do. Each instructor brings a unique perspective and area of expertise to the classroom, creating an environment where students are encouraged to experiment, solve problems, develop new skills, and take pride in their work.
Lisa Puzon
Program Director
Dr. Lisa Puzon serves as Program Director of Hive Arts Academy, overseeing curriculum development, the Visiting Artist program, and student exhibitions at Brilliant Star, A Luna Fine Art Gallery. She helps guide the Academy’s mission and vision while creating opportunities for students to connect with the broader creative community. Dr. Puzon also teaches Independent Study, where she works with students to explore a specific artistic medium in greater depth, and provides individual mentorship to encourage their creative growth, confidence, and artistic goals.
Shaughnessy Johnson
Sculpture & Engineering
Shaughnessy Johnson encourages students to explore the connection between art, design, engineering, and making. Through sculpture and engineering projects, students learn to think creatively, work with tools and materials, solve problems, and turn ideas into tangible creations. His hands-on approach helps students build both technical skills and confidence while discovering the possibilities that exist where creativity and engineering meet.
Amanda Williams
Culinary Arts
Amanda Williams brings her passion for food, creativity, and culinary education into the Hive Arts Academy demonstration kitchen. Her classes give students practical, hands-on experience with cooking techniques, ingredients, food preparation, and presentation. Students explore cuisines and culinary traditions from around the world while developing skills in teamwork, organization, creativity, and kitchen safety. Through cooking, students gain more than recipes—they develop skills they can carry with them into everyday life, further education, and future careers.
Karli Kimmons
Visual Arts, Fiber Arts & Sewing
Karli Kimmons inspires students to express themselves through drawing, painting, design, textiles, sewing, and fiber arts. Her classes encourage experimentation and individual expression while introducing students to techniques they can use to develop their own creative voice. From traditional artmaking to wearable and textile projects, students learn that creativity can take many forms and that their ideas have value.