MUSHROOMS & COLOR
This exhibit features textiles of all kinds, prints, paintings, handmade paper, sculpture, and experiments using mushroom dye and pigments. Selected works by contemporary artists and makers of Mendocino County will be shown alongside notebooks and drawings by science illustrator Dorothy Beebee, who worked closely with dye pioneer Miriam C. Rice to unlock the full spectrum of color from mushrooms. Other artworks draw from Miriam’s personal collection and that of members of the non-profit organization Miriam founded in 1985, the International Mushroom Dye Institute (IMDI).
Dorothy recorded and illustrated the fungi Miriam explored in mushroom dyes, polypore paper, and mushroom pigment for watercolors and crayons. Their work together culminated with Miriam’s last book, Mushrooms for Dye, Paper, Pigments & Myco-Stix™. Their history is documented in the film, Try It & See: The Story Behind Mushroom Dyes, which will be shown during the run of the exhibit.
MUSHROOMS & COLOR is hosted by the International Mushroom Dye Institute (IMDI).
View full gallery here: https://www.mushroomsforcolor.com/gallery/
OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS!
Seeking textiles of all kinds, prints, paintings, handmade paper, sculpture.
Share your experiments using mushroom dye and pigments!
Submissions deadline Sunday, February 1st.
Apply through the IMDI online gallery here. There is a $20 application fee for up to 3 items.
For those in need of having the application fee waived,
email Felicia Rice at mushroomsforcolor@gmail.com.
All works submitted will be showcased on IMDI’s online gallery.
Notification by Wednesday, February 4
Drop off at Mendocino Art Center February 8/9
FILM SCREENING
TRY IT AND SEE: THE STORY BEHIND MUSHROOM DYES
Directed by Martin Beebee
Saturday, February TBD
Mushrooms are now widely used as a source for natural dyes. Many dyers today may not know that it all began with an accidental discovery by Miriam Rice, an artist from Mendocino, California. Miriam would later write the first book on using mushrooms as a source of natural dyes in the 1970’s called “Let’s Try Mushrooms for Color.” This groundbreaking dye book was illustrated by artist and friend, Dorothy Beebee. Here, Dorothy gives a behind the scenes look into one slice of the early history of mushroom dyes, the expansion of their work into two additional books, and her thoughts on the future of mushroom dyes.
Dorothy Beebee
Exhibition - Mushroom & Color: February 14-March 8, 2026
Questions? Contact Felicia Rice mushroomsforcolor@gmail.com