Obata Art Weekend 2026

Yosemite National Park will celebrate the legacy of Yosemite and California artist Chiura Obata with the sixth annual Obata Art Weekend July 17 to July 19, 2026. The weekend will feature art workshops and demonstrations, ranger talks, presentations, a community art fair, a round table discussion, and more!

Park visitors will need not need a reservation that weekend. However, all Yosemite Valley parking lots are usually full by 9am on weekends during the summer, with wait time between 1-2 hours at the entrance stations in the morning. All activities are based in Yosemite Village. The closest parking lots are Yosemite Village Parking and Yosemite Valley Lodge Parking. Please plan accordingly.

The Ansel Adams Art Gallery is thrilled to have a special exhibit to showcase Yosemite National Park’s collection of Obata original pieces from July 3- July 20. Alongside a selection of Obata’s works, there will be high quality giclée reproduction prints for purchase. The exhibit is opened during the Gallery’s hours, daily from 9am-5pm.

All workshops are offered during two time slots, unless otherwise noted, on Saturday, July 18th: 9:30-11:30am and 1:00-3:00pm. Spaces are limited and participants must register beforehand on the webpages provided below. All art supplies will be provided.

Participants will join this unique watercolor workshop with options of integrating Chinese ink or oil pastel. We will learn design, composition, shape, line, value, and color, and make nature sketches. Participants will transform their sketches and art imaginations into landscape paintings. We will discover the power of watercolor paintings with wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry techniques, and explore watercolor expressions with action painting by splashing and dripping. The instructor will offer a class demo and engage individual interaction. Each student will bring home a watercolor painting as a lifetime memory. Meet in front of Yosemite Exploration Center.
Register here.

 

While we can’t forage for materials in the park, this art program will be an exciting demonstration and talk based on principles of Sogetsu ikebana (not a hands-on workshop). Inspired by the beauty of Yosemite, Keiko will share both an early lesson in the Sogetsu curriculum and several others using some materials similar to those found in the park. Participants will also be shown an arrangement using containers made by Haruko Obata and others while incarcerated in the WWII Topaz Concentration Camp. Meet in front of Yosemite Exploration Center.
Register here.

Photography Walk with Blake Johnston

Local photographer Blake Johnston will discuss a variety of topics including perspective & scale, leading lines, and natural framing.  All cameras and skill levels welcome. Meet at The Ansel Adams Art Gallery.
Register here.

In addition to the artist workshops, Obata Art Weekend will feature a lineup of presentations and ranger-led programs. Speakers include: Kimi Hill (Obata’s granddaughter), April Kunieda, and Connie Lau. These will be in the evenings on Friday and Saturday, at the workshop times listed above, and on Sunday morning  – with all speaker presentations in the Valley Auditorium.

A beloved event for all ages, the Community Art Fair (CAF) will have 10 tables staffed by various park partners and community organizations this year, ranging from the Japanese American National Museum to Yosemite Conservancy Art Program to The Ansel Adams Art Gallery to Ranger-led interactive art activities. In 2024, the Obata Art Weekend welcomed over 1300 visitors during this event, we’re hoping to have around the same this year! The Fair will be in front of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center from 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, July 18, 2026.