JoAnne "Miss Y" Yada believes art has the power to transform not only spaces, but the people who create it. As an artist, educator, and founder of Rock the Blacktop, she has spent decades helping people of all ages discover confidence, curiosity, and connection through creativity.

Her work is rooted in the belief that art should be accessible to everyone. Whether she's painting, designing large-scale community art projects, or leading hands-on workshops, JoAnne creates experiences that encourage exploration over perfection and joy over judgment. Her colorful, expressive style reflects a lifelong passion for storytelling, learning, and the simple act of making something with your own hands.

Through Rock the Blacktop, JoAnne has inspired thousands of students, families, and educators across the Bay Area, bringing interactive art experiences into schools and community spaces while proving that creativity belongs everywhere—not just in galleries.

As both an exhibiting artist and instructor at Alameda Gallery & Collective, Miss Y continues that mission by creating a welcoming environment where beginners and experienced artists alike can learn, experiment, and grow. She believes that every person has an artistic voice worth discovering, and her classes invite people to reconnect with the creativity many leave behind in childhood.

JoAnne's work is a celebration of imagination, community, and lifelong learning—a reminder that art isn't just something we hang on a wall, but something that brings us together.