How We Began
In 1980, Donna Wiener and Marsha Mendel, mothers of young children living in Westchester, started YAA to bring a quality art experience to children in Westchester. They based YAA on a unique art program in NYC at the 92nd St Y to which they had been commuting with their own children. The two mothers enrolled themselves in a teacher training workshop led by the creator of the Y program and soon after began offering classes for three year olds. When that first session ended parents asked for four year old classes. From this modest beginning, YAA has moved twice to expand its studio space and is now up to 12 teachers and 17 classes a week for 2-11 year olds.

Who Is Donna Wiener?
Donna Wiener founded YAA in 1980, and continues to direct YAA and teach there. She holds both a B.A. in Fine Arts and a Masters in Social Work from New York University. Following social work school, Donna worked as an art therapist at Bronx State Hospital. To further her own artistic pursuits, she studied painting at the School of Visual Arts. Most recently, she has presented at Manhattanville College as a guest teacher.

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