Meet the Founders

When we started Little Art House in 2016, we leaned on our experience as public school art teachers and our shared passion to develop class structures that truly support the artist in everyone. Our hope every day is that anyone who comes to the studio feels comfortable expressing themselves through creating, that they get to play and explore with new or different mediums, and that they leave proud of what they’ve created.

Emma Lancaster Bradford

While I loved art as a kid, my love for education did not come to be until I started studying Studio Art at the University of Mississippi. That’s where I learned education was more about curiosity, connections, and relating concepts than tests and scores. After finishing at Ole Miss, I followed my sister to Belmont University to get a Master’s in Art Education. After teaching at Antioch High School for four years, I moved to Athens, Georgia, with my husband Payton while he finished law school. This is where I first experienced teaching art recreationally at Treehouse Kid & Craft. After we moved back to Nashville, Leighton and I began discussing the idea of a studio that ultimately became Little Art House.
When I’m not at the studio, you can find me at Martin’s BBQ or at Sevier Park with our toddler, at a show with Payton. I also enjoy good tv shows, reading books, and walking with friends :)
Substitute Teacher: Clarke County, GA, 2014-2016 // Metro Nashville Public Schools TN, 2016-17
Art Teacher: Antioch High School (MNPS), 2010-14
Belmont University: MAT in Arts of Teaching, 2009–2010
University of Mississippi: BA in Art Studio, 2005–2009

Teacher & Founder

Leighton Lancaster Bryant

When I was little, my favorite game was to play pretend as a teacher. My whole life I’ve enjoyed educating others, creating art, and being around kids which made teaching art a no-brainer decision. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with degrees in Art Studio and Art History and obtaining a Master’s in the Arts of Teaching from Belmont University, I began my career teaching art for nine years with Metro Nashville Public Schools. While I loved the students, I was ready to have the freedom to design lessons without an assessment as the end goal. The classes we have designed are intentional and it is truly my joy to teach every week. Every day, I consider myself so incredibly lucky that I get to do what I love surrounded by the most supportive clients, colleagues, friends, and family.
In my spare time, I love to read, cook with my husband Yates, cuddle our dogs, go on walks or to Barre3, and spend time with family and friends!
Art Teacher, MNPS - Napier Elementary, 2009-2011 // JT Moore Middle School, 2011-2013 // Hillsboro High School, 2013-2017
Belmont University: MAT in the Arts of Teaching, 2008–2009
Vanderbilt University: BA in Art Studio and BA in Art History, 2004–2008

Teacher & Founder

As owners, we love that we can customize schedules and offerings to best suit the needs of our community. Small classes and qualified teachers are the key to our success and we intentionally avoid any form of assessment or critique from our process. there is no “correct way” to be a creator! We have a lot of fun designing and planning new ways to create. While owning your own business certainly comes with tasks that are not super fun, it is well worth the trade-off of seeing people enjoy their experience at Little Art House and come back week after week and year after year. We have the privilege of watching families grow up in our studios and that is pure magic. It is equally as exciting to see our adult students return to classes and watch their progress as they find their own creative voice. We continue to strive to provide the best experiences every day for our community!