Hello!  

I’m Bree Neyland (click to take a look at some of my art) and this is my husband, Chris Sass, new owners of Big Picture.  We have 3 children between us and are both artists living and working at our home called Ravenstone. Chris has lived in Riverside on Sass Family Farm since he was a kid and still helps out, but his day job is as a Graphic Designer for Hearst. I was born in Hawaii but grew up in Australia (you might detect an accent) but my mum is from a small farming town called Lake City in Minnesota. I was a tenured professor in literature (science fiction, young adult literature, and contemporary American literature) at Loras College but went back to school to study art (especially drawing and painting) and art education, and now serve as an adjuct professor lecturing and teaching Create, Imagine, Play at the University of Iowa.

We are big animal lovers and cater to the whims of the local wildlife, along with a bunch of house/barn cats. Our property in Riverside is home to a dragon mural, a big floral extravaganza mural on our shed, a 20 foot bison sculpted out of hedgewood, and an enchanting archway into our woods, sculpted from dropped limbs we’ve collected on the property. We’re turning Ravenstone into an Art Garden!

My art education philosophy stems from my love of learning at any age and my love of literacy, story-telling, nature, speculative fiction, and mythology. Art is all about expression and reading symbols and communicating ideas and feelings, with a healthy dose of common sense and problem solving mixed in. I find absolute joy and wonder in the process of making art, and I hope I can share that with everybody who walks in the door. Take a look at my Artist’s Statement and Philosophy of Teaching and Making (this is the long and academic version) if you are interested.

Our mission of Big Picture is to continue what Becky (founder of Big Picture) and Adam and Allison Gent (the previous owners) started-  offering a fun and uplifting place in our community for people to gather, learn, and be creative.  We plan to give back to our community through donations, volunteering, and by offering new opportunities for adults and kids alike.

Leah Stitt,
Instructor

Art has always been a passion of mine as well as early childhood development, working with children of all ages for many years in childcare. I am in awe of all the different ways you can express yourself through art and I thoroughly enjoy helping young artists find their own unique style! I have been working at Big Picture since August of 2023 and couldn’t imagine a better place to spend my time doing the things I love, creating art, teaching and inspiring young minds!

My favorite art mediums include; fiber arts, ceramics, collage and abstract ink art. I also love expressing myself through switching up my hair color, being a former hair stylist! 

During my free time I enjoy hanging out with my 2 cats Timmy and Maevis, practicing yoga, creating functional art with clay and crocheting by my fireplace -:)

Lexi Moon,
Instructor

Since moving to North Liberty in 2022 with my associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, I have been continuing my education at the University of Iowa. Currently pursuing a BA in Studio Art and Art Education, I anticipate graduating in fall 2025 with licensure to teach K–12, along with a Teacher Leader Certificate in Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health. With over 5 years of diverse childcare and teaching roles, from nanny and summer camp counselor to painting instructor and lead teacher for a before-and-after school program, I am deeply committed to merging my passion for art with the joy of education. My overarching goal is to inspire individuals not only to appreciate and create art but also to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth through the creative process. Whether in the classroom or in my personal artistic endeavors, I am dedicated to fostering a community where individuals can explore, learn, and thrive together. From painting and ceramics to printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and beyond, I encourage students to experiment and discover their unique artistic voice.

Bree Neyland,
Instructor

Bree is a public artist who loves working with people, doing murals, drawing birds and reptiles, reading science fiction, growing weird plants, and looking after her menagerie. She is passionate about teaching and has taught literature for many years. She recently obtained an art and art education degree to further pursue her passion for teaching and art.

Allison Fischer,
Instructor

Hello! I started college in Fall of 2021. I always had a huge appreciation for art and began my degree in Ceramics. I use both the ceramics wheel and hand building techniques in my practice. While in college, I was inspired by past teachers and decided to double major in Art Education my junior year. I love teaching children art. My favorite part about being a teacher is learning alongside my students and improving everyday alongside them. It is my goal to create a space where students can feel free to create and explore the wide range of mediums Art has to offer. 

When I am not teaching I am playing board games, reading, spending time in nature, or doing a puzzle!