Yosemite Western Artists

YWA was founded in 1969 by a group of artists and art enthusiasts interested in sharing their work and experience, and learning more about the arts.  The organization flourished, and continues to this day as a community sponsored enterprise dedicated to the development of the visual arts in the area.

The YWA meets at the Gertrude School, one of California’s oldest remaining one room schoolhouses,  is located in the Sierra foothills community of Ahwahnee, just south of Yosemite National Park.  The schoolhouse was built in 1913, and was closed to public education in 1968.  In 1979 the current owner, Harry Baker, offered the use of the schoolhouse to Yosemite Western Artists to use for meetings, classes, and workshops. Gertrude School re-opened its doors as the Yosemite Western Artists Gallery, and is still the official headquarters for the organization today.

Group Shows, Classes, and Activities

Gertrude Schoolhouse is available to YWA members for shows, classes, meetings, and other activities.