2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Conservancy’s art programs in the park
Yosemite National Park – 2022 – Yosemite Conservancy will celebrate a 40th year of art programs in the park with a Celebrations that will commence with the grand reopening of Happy Isles Art and Nature Center in Yosemite Valley on April 4, when their daily art classes begin. Connecting with Yosemite National Park through Art is a such a unique way to slow down and take in the experience of a moment in the park.
Daily Art Classes
Join the conservancy team every week day from April through October for beginner-friendly outdoor lessons in watercolor painting, mosaic-making, nature journaling, and lots more! These classes do not require innate talent or art experience — they are simply designed to help you slow down, channel your creativity, and experience Yosemite in a new way. They cost as little at $20/person, and your registration includes park access!
Please register online by 4 pm Pacific the day before your class.
Art Retreats
Experience one of the conservancy’s unique art retreats, including the popular Backpack and Paint trip, offers the chance to spend several days immersed in Yosemite’s natural beauty as you explore the park and learn from a professional artist. They are convenient and hassle-free, as they include camping or lodging options and a peak-hours reservation. Consider this an opportunity for a personal getaway — go ahead and treat yourself!
Paint and Sip
The popular paint-along class will return to the Mountain Room Lounge in the Yosemite Valley Lodge! Join the team every Friday from 2 to 4 pm in this supportive, playful class to learn the basics of watercolor and create an iconic Yosemite landscape step-by-step. This event is open to aspiring artists and experienced artists alike!
All painting supplies (plus wine and cheese) are included in the registration fee.
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.
Planning a late spring or summer trip? When Yosemite’s 2022 peak hours reservation system is in effect (May 20-September 30), your Conservancy program registration (for an Outdoor Adventure, Custom Adventure or art program) includes park entry for the duration of your program — no separate peak hours reservation required! If you plan to visit the park on days other than when your Conservancy program is scheduled, you’ll need to book a separate peak hours or overnight reservation (while the system is in place).
- Daily 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 2022 daily art classes on the event calendar at the bottom of this page. Please register online by 4 pm Pacific the day before your daily art class.
- 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 2022 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, July and August 2022!
- Nature Journaling Workshops: Explore the intersection of art and science in our weekly outdoor nature journaling walks, which will take place at 11 am every Thursday from June-August 2022.
- Crafting Classes: This new program is designed to be quick and affordable. Join us at Happy Isles Art & Nature Center in Yosemite Valley from 11 am – 1 pm, Monday through Wednesday, June-August 2022. Crafting workshops are $25 per person, ages 12+. No pre-registration is required and all materials are included. Workshop activities are as follows:
Monday — Printmaking
Tuesday — Embroidery
Wednesday — Ornament-making
- Paint and Sip: Join us in person at the Yosemite Valley Lodge for our popular wine and paint class, every Friday from May-September 2022!
Source Yosemite Conservancy website.
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.
- In our Virtual Watercolor Workshops, you’ll learn the painting tips, tricks and techniques you need to tackle difficult subjects.
- Design a personalized, guided art experience for your family or small group — we’re now offering virtual Custom Art Classes!
- Check out our Park Art, From Anywhere blog post for watercolor painting tutorials, kid-friendly crafts, and Yosemite-themed coloring pages.
Who Are The Yosemite Conservancy?
A nonprofit dedicated to preserving Yosemite’s resources and providing enriching visitor experiences in the park. Their philanthropic partnership with Yosemite goes back more than 95 years. We work closely with the park to fund high-priority projects and provide enriching educational programs.
In the 1920s, the Yosemite Museum Association formed to help build a museum in Yosemite National Park. That association, the first nonprofit partner in the National Park System, evolved over decades and strengthened its partnership with the park — now, it lives on as Yosemite Conservancy. (Read more about our history here.)
Today, we help park fans from around the world explore and conserve Yosemite. With support from donors, we help people connect with the park, including through adventures, art, theater and books, and we fund restoration, research, wildlife management, visitor education and more. Explore our website to learn more ways to experience Yosemite and projects you can support in the park.