Black Box Creative
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OUR BEGINNINGS WERE HUMBLE

Black Box Creative was founded by myself, Shelbi Aiona, in 2020. It all began as a way to meet a need I felt in our local community. I knew we needed a space to feel safe, emboldened and empowered to move, learn, and create together. Black Box Creative is that space! Through community support, donations, and good ol fashioned hard work, our studio grew to the spectacular sanctuary and neon dreamscape it is now.

Our space is regularly described by our community members as "Welcoming", “A long-needed part of the community”, "Diverse", "Unique", "Empowering", and "My favorite part of my day". We're doing exactly what we set out to do, and could not be more grateful for our community having our back. 

Black Box Creative is a versatile, collaborative, and diverse space bringing a selection of pole, dance, movement, and fitness classes, as well as a boutique of artisan apparel and crafts to Austin's creative community. We aim to amplify and employ local POC and LGBTQ+ instructors and creators by providing a safe space to teach, learn, create, and sell their wares. In doing so, we offer a one-of-a-kind experience to our community of students and artists.

THE crew

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Shelbi

Lead instructor and studio owner
Since moving here, Shelbi has been a fixture in the Austin pole community for over 8 years. She's been fortunate enough to learn from and work with artists such as Boner Bizarre, Velvet nox, Twisted Movement, Butter & Filth, and United Pole Artists, and Snoop Dogg as well as teaching at nearly every studio in Austin. Creating art, teaching, performing, and competing throughout the state has allowed her to hone her craft and become the founder, CEO, and lead instructor at Black Box Creative. She’s got a signature style that is both sludgy and slinky while being heavy and weightless. She is ghastly, hedonistic, and here to hypnotize! As an instructor, she aims to guide students safely through all levels of movement and stylization. 

Zoja Exotica is a queer pole dancer, aerialist, burlesque performer, and event producer! They are the co-founder of Austin's erotic variety show Boner Bizarre as well as our studio manager! They have a background in gymnastics and love hard and fast power flow. They're also an acro chair expert and love applying pole moves to chairography!
Villanelle is a pole dance instructor and pole performer with a teaching philosophy focused on inclusivity, body positivity, and using movement to help realize one's personal power. If you want to get strong as hell while giving the middle finger to patriarchal beauty standards, Villanelle is your girl.
Jacki Moon is a queer Austin-based pole and yoga instructor.She loves the bendy and flexy shapes of pole, and encourages her students to stretch regularly! When Jacki is not stretching or on the pole, she is writing or teaching writing.
Sarah is an Austin pole veteran who has been pole dancing since 2007 with no plans on quitting anytime soon! She loves pole for the expression of movement, the physicality, and of course the sexiness! Sarah grew up taking dance and gymnastics, so when she found pole, it was a perfect mix of the two disciplines! Sarah has performed all over, from New York to New Orleans and she looks forward to sharing with you the art of pole!
Deanna holds a Dance degree from ACC and has been pole dancing for 3 years. She choreographs for her classes as well as for film and music videos. She prefers flowy, sensual movement, especially in 8 inch heels. When Deanna is not dancing professionally, she’s dancing recreationally with friends or reading by the pool with her beloved cat.
Ashley started her pole dance journey back in the Fall of 2019 during a time when she felt an internal call to tap more into her true expression. Ashley has a background in tumbling, cheer and dance and her favorite thing about pole dance is the sacred art of seduction that is evoked through it. Ashley loves the diversity of people that pole brings together and thrives on being your biggest hype girl and making you feel like a bad bitch!
Spice is a male pole dancer from the jubilant city of Jackson, MS. Before moving to Austin, TX for work, Spice brought his dance talent to Epic Dance and Fitness where he began pole dancing. Ever since, he has developed a love & passion for pole and plans to continue sharing his talent by teaching others who not only are interested in pole but those who adore pole too. Pole has allowed him to express dance in an artistic fluid way. He cannot wait to see what Black Box Creative has in store for him.
Emm is a Latina queer instructor that has been practicing aerial instruction for the past five years. She has a background in gymnastics and adores Old School pole. Visit her classes to learn how to embrace your body control, ankle strength, & slinky sexiness!

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Telephone

512-643-2711

Email

blackboxcreativeatx@gmail.com
  • Home
  • Classes
  • Courses and Events
  • Pricing & Policies
  • Photoshoots
  • Private Lessons
  • Private Rentals and Parties
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact