NEXT CLASS: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Larson Gallery!
At Yakima Arts Academy, we believe every young person deserves the chance to explore their creativity, discover their artistic voice, and connect with a supportive community. Founded as a nonprofit organization in Yakima, our mission is to promote art education and social engagement for youth by providing access to high-quality, hands-on learning experiences. Check out Next Class!
We partner with trained artists and educators to offer engaging art lessons, inspiring field trips, and exciting art contests that spark imagination and build confidence. Through these programs, students not only grow as artists but also develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that serve them throughout life.
More than an art program, Yakima Arts Academy is a safe and inclusive space where youth can build friendships, express themselves, and find joy in creativity. We are committed to ensuring that all young people—regardless of background—have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts.
Together with our community, we are nurturing the next generation of creators, leaders, and innovators, one masterpiece at a time.
Artist Welcome
We welcome artists who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and creativity with young, aspiring artists. At Yakima Arts Academy, you can inspire the next generation by volunteering or applying to work with our members. We provide all the supplies for students and take care of the logistics so you can focus on what matters most—sharing your craft and sparking creativity. For Parents, our artists are vetted and screened, we ensure they have the support of an experienced educator and foucs on teaching art techniques as well as having fun and being creative, which fosters a love art. We also encourage our students to share their art with eachother to talk what they learned and appreciate about their own art work.
Complete an Artist Interest Form.
Membership
Yakima Arts Academy is now enrolling youth ages 10–20 who are eager to develop their artistic talents and connect in a creative, social setting. We are dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where young, aspiring artists can explore their creativity, collaborate on projects, and grow together as a community.
Some of our courses are free.
Partners
Yakima Arts Academy is seeking community partners who share our vision for empowering youth through the arts. There are many ways to support our mission: donating art supplies, contributing financial gifts to our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing scholarships for youth who qualify, or offering professional expertise such as web development. We are also welcoming dedicated board members who are ready to take an active role in shaping the future of our organization. Together, we can create more opportunities for young artists to learn, grow, and shine. Donate via Venmo @yakimaartsacademy.
Meet the Members of our Board
Chris Caprile
Artist
Chris Caprile is a founding board member of the Yakima Arts Academy and the creative force behind its artist community. As lead artist, he works directly with all incoming artists, helping shape the Academy’s creative vision from the ground up. A full-time freelance artist specializing in concept design and digital art, Chris has a particular passion for illustration and the video game industry.
His time as an art teacher sharpened his ability to break down the essential elements of art in ways that are clear, accessible, and inspiring — a gift he now brings to the Academy’s students and artists alike. Chris is based in Washington State and believes deeply that art is something every person, at every age, deserves access to.
SaraBecca Martin
Passionate Volunteer & Community Leader
SaraBecca Martin is a passionate volunteer and community leader with extensive board experience across the Yakima area. She brings a rare combination of heart and rigor to everything she does — driven by a genuine desire to help people and a deep belief in the missions she chooses to support.
SaraBecca has a particular strength in accreditation, measurement, assessment, and evaluation, making her an invaluable asset to any organization working to grow with intention and accountability. As a board member of the Yakima Arts Academy, she is both a thoughtful team contributor and a tireless advocate — someone who believes that every positive interaction, however small, adds a little more happiness and peace to the world.
Emily Jameson
Community Outreach & Development
Emily Jameson is a longtime community member who believes in directing her energy toward work that genuinely betters the lives of others. As a board member of the Yakima Arts Academy and an employee at Shelf Help, she brings that commitment to life every day.
Emily believes every child deserves a place that celebrates their unique talents, builds their confidence, and encourages them to take creative risks. As both a mom and a board member, she sees big things ahead for this small but mighty nonprofit — and is passionate about connecting the Yakima community to its mission and vision.
Eve Garcia Burnett
Passionate Volunteer & Community Leader
Eve Garcia Burnett is a marketing and communications leader with a creative eye for building inclusive spaces where people feel seen and welcomed. With experience as a marketing specialist, communications manager, and product manager at large multimedia technology companies, she brings both strategic depth and hands-on expertise to everything she does.
Eve believes deeply that every child deserves access to art and the freedom to explore their own creativity. That belief drives her work in the community, where her energy, passion, and talent for problem-solving come together to help young people and those around her truly thrive.
Melissa Hill, Ph.D
Community Leader Dedicated to Youth
Melissa Hill is a founding board member and Executive Director of the Yakima Arts Academy — and the heart behind why it exists. Born and raised in Yakima, Melissa has spent her career as an educator deeply committed to her community. When she discovered she had a young artist in her own family, she was struck by how few supportive, creative spaces existed for aspiring youth artists in the Yakima Valley. That realization sparked a mission.
Melissa founded the Yakima Arts Academy so that no young person would have to search for a place to belong, grow, and shine through art. Her vision is as bold as it is simple: every child deserves the chance to share their talent, connect with others who share their passion, and discover the confidence that creativity can unlock. She warmly invites students, parents, artists, and supporters alike to help build a community where art opens doors for every young person in the valley
Jessica Schlaman
Artist
Jessica Schlaman is a Yakima-based artist and board member of the Yakima Arts Academy, bringing a rich creative perspective and a wealth of experience across multiple artistic mediums to the team. As Co-Owner of McMahan Nursery, she has developed a sharp eye for project management and a natural ability to collaborate — skills she now puts to work in service of the Academy’s growing mission.
Jessica’s diverse background makes her a unique and valuable voice on the board, bridging the worlds of art, business, and community in ways that strengthen everything the Academy is working to build.
Mark Northcott
Founder Sketch Book Artists
Mark R. Northcott is a Yakima-based illustrator, educator, and creative visionary whose lifelong mission is to help others discover that “your journey becomes an adventure when your imagination lights the way.” As the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Sketch Book Artists,
Mark has built an imaginative bridge between storytelling, illustration, and community art education. Drawing from his background in architectural and landscape design, he brings precision and structure to the expressive world of drawing, guiding students to find both form and freedom in their work. Through initiatives like the Yakima Arts Academy and The 8 Pages of Sketchbooking, Mark empowers young artists to see sketchbooking as more than practice—it’s a meditative dialogue between imagination and discipline.