Create with us

Our art team is here to help guests of all ages and experience levels slow down and connect with nature in a new way. We welcome all Yosemite visitors to turn their unique observations into works of art.

  • Art Classes: Join one of our guest instructors — all professional artists — for a hands-on, four-hour outdoor art workshop in Yosemite Valley. Browse all 2023 daily art classes on the event calendar at the bottom of this page.
  • Art Retreats: These overnight workshops, formerly called art adventures, give you the chance to spend several days immersed in Yosemite’s natural beauty as you explore a specific art medium and learn from an expert. Browse all 2023 art retreats on the event calendar at the bottom of this page.
  • Custom Art Classes: Design a personalized guided art experience for your family or small group.
  • Kids’ Art Classes: Join us at Happy Isles for drop-in, nature-themed kids’ art classes from Monday through Thursday in June – August 2023!
  • Paint and Sip: Join us in person at the Yosemite Valley Lodge for our popular wine and paint class, every Friday from May-September 2023!

Click below to view the full lineup of 2023 art offerings, including instructors and pricing. As with all Conservancy programs, your participation in an art class helps support important work in Yosemite.

2023 Art Schedule

 

COVID-19 safety procedures

As always, we’re committed to ensuring the health and safety of our art class participants and instructors. For all art programs, we’re implementing strict safety measures that align with the latest federal, state and local guidelines. At this time, we anticipate that these policies and procedures will remain in place through the 2023 season. If you’re considering joining one of our art programs, please read the following information carefully:

COVID-19 Procedures

 

Yosemite-inspired art at home

If you’re still staying safe at home, our latest artistic resources offer inspiration, tools and techniques for recording nature’s beauty, capturing your outdoor experiences and relieving stress — wherever you are. See below for ways to make creativity part of your every day.

  • Check out our Park Art, From Anywhere blog post for watercolor painting tutorials, kid-friendly crafts, and Yosemite-themed coloring pages.

Browse Art Programs

 

Check out our art programs to find an activity that intrigues your creative side.
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Custom Art Classes

Heading to Yosemite with a group? Enhance your time in the park with a custom art experience. We’ll work with
03/01/2023 - 10/31/2023
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Watercolor & Ink with Casey Cheuvront

Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
In our fast-paced lives, we often forget to stop and really look at the beauty that surrounds us. Take some
04/10/2023 - 04/21/2023
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Watercolor Journaling with Elizabeth Butterfield

Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
Yosemite National Park is a form of art in itself; all the natural beauty of this special place offers endless
04/24/2023 - 04/28/2023
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Mosaics with Denise Davidson

Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
No art experience? No problem! This mosaic art class is ideal for beginners. Over the course of four hours, artist
05/01/2022 - 05/05/2022
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Watercolor with John Gates

Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
This watercolor class will strike an ideal balance, offering a mix of structured learning and the freedom to create something
05/08/2023 - 05/12/2023
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Watercolor with Jo-Neal Graves

Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
During this fun outdoor painting class in Yosemite Valley, instructor Jo-Neal Graves will introduce you to the fundamentals of watercolor,
05/15/2023 - 05/19/2023
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Art Instructors

Meet the skilled painters, writers and artisans who can help you craft a permanent memento of your Yosemite trip.

Capture Yosemite's spectacular scenery during an outdoor painting workshop. Photo: Yosemite Conservancy/Aline Allen.
Happy Isles Art and Nature Center, in eastern Yosemite Valley, hosts art classes, drop-in art activities, interactive educational exhibits, and more. Photo: Yosemite Conservancy/Cassie May.
Young artists get creative at Happy Isles during drop-in studio sessions and classes for kids. Photo: Yosemite Conservancy/Josh Helling.
Paintings by volunteer art instructor Steve Curl displayed at Happy Isles. Photo: Yosemite Conservancy/Kristin Anderson.