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 2025 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 2025 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 Activities: Join us at Happy Isles for drop-in, nature-themed kids’ art projects from Monday through Friday in June – August 2025.
  • Paint and Sip: Join us in person at the Yosemite Valley Lodge for our popular wine and paint class, every Friday from May-August 2025!
  • Gift Certificates: Want to share the Yosemite love? Our Art Gift Cards make great presents for park fans.
  • Yosemite-inspired art 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. Check out our Park Art, From Anywhere blog post for watercolor painting tutorials, kid-friendly crafts, and Yosemite-themed coloring pages.

As with all Conservancy programs, your participation in an art class helps support important work in Yosemite. You can view, filter, and book 2025 programs by scrolling through our event calendar below.

Browse Art Programs

 

Check out our art programs to find an activity that intrigues your creative side.
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Art Class: Fieldsketching with Fran Calvert

Yosemite Valley
Curious how to relay the dramatic 3-dimensionality of Yosemite Valley onto a piece of paper? Artist Fran Calvert can show
04/14/2025 - 04/25/2025
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Art Class: Watercolor with Jim Kingwell

Yosemite Valley
Take advantage of an opportunity to slow down, immerse in your surroundings, and observe nature during this four-hour Yosemite art
04/28/2025 - 05/02/2025
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Paint and Sip

Yosemite Valley
In this paint and sip class, you will learn the basics of watercolor and employ them to create an iconic
05/02/2025 - 08/29/2025
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Art Retreat: Watercolor with Steve Curl

Yosemite Valley
Summer brings vivid pops of color and lush greenery to Yosemite Valley. Join professional artist Steve Curl to welcome the
05/02/2025 - 05/04/2025
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Art Class: Watercolor with Jo-Neal Graves

Yosemite Valley
During this fun outdoor painting class in Yosemite Valley, instructor Jo-Neal Graves will introduce you to the fundamentals of watercolor,
05/05/2025 - 05/09/2025
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Art Class: Watercolor with Steve Curl

Happy Isles Art and Nature Center
This fun painting class for beginning and continuing students offers participants an opportunity to see Yosemite through an artist’s eyes.
05/12/2025 - 05/16/2025
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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.