Yosemite National Park's main non-profit, the Yosemite Conservancy operates the Yosemite Art and Education Center in partnership with concessionaire Delaware North and the National Park Service. Inexpensive ($5-10) art classes have been the mainstay function of the YAEC, and sales of art supplies (paint, paper, charcoal, pencils, pastels, etc.) are also important. A different professional artist comes each week to teach their specialty in classes that run from 10a - 2p Wednesday-Saturday, between mid-May and early October. YC also conducts walk-in naturalist programs from the YAEC for a fee during part of the season.

See YC's website, www.yosemiteconservancy.org or the park's newspaper, the Yosemite Guide for a schedule of artists. Call 209/372-1442 to sign up a day or two before, or drop by the YAEC. The center is at the lower end of Yosemite Village, where the ATM is.

The YAEC is closed in the winter. It is open for supplies and classes mid-May through early October, with art classes running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Appropriate Ages: Mature teens and up