Join Myceliart Collective for a series of mycelial workshops and walks that bring together artists, foragers, gardeners and mycologists to map our social, political, and personal connections with fungi in Edinburgh.
Mycography refers to creative processes of documenting fungi. This may encompass techniques such as drawing, recording, or other imaginative methods of rich description.
Participants can get involved in beginner mushroom identification, illustration, crafts and cultivation. The walks & workshops will contribute to a collectively shaped chronicle of contemporary connections with local fungi.
Series co-curated by artist Johanna Koen & researcher Oona Dooley from Myceliart. Featuring facilitation by Sally Somerville-Woodiwis and Ruby Scott-Geddes, as well as workshops led by Edinburgh’s community mushroom farm and education project Rhyze Mushrooms.
26th November 2023 11:30-3pm
An Introduction to Foraging for Medicinal Fungi
Max amount of participants 18
Participate in an upcoming walk, led by Myceliart organiser Johanna and Mim from Rhyze Mushrooms, to explore the rich variety of fungi present in Craigmillar Castle Park.
In this opening session, we’ll delve into the world of local medicinal fungi. Johanna will lead a creative exploration of the fascinating history of ethnomycology, a field of study that explores the relationship between fungi and humans. This will involve recording medicinal fungi uses. Mim will then demonstrate guerrilla mushroom cultivation of frequently-used medicinal species.
Please note this involves light inclines, potentially muddy woodland paths and walking through grasslands. Feel free to bring a flask with a warm beverage or snack.
This series of mycelial walks and workshops is commissioned by Art Walk Projects and forms part of our continuing Climate Cafe series supported by Postcode Lottery and Awards for All.
14th January 2024 12:30-2.30pm
Newhailes Pilgrimage – Mapping a Fungi Forage
Join Myceliart organisers Johanna Koen and Oona Dooley on an upcoming pilgrimage to creatively document our winter mushroom encounters at Newhailes Estate.
Join us on a walk to chronicle your winter fungi sightings. This is an opportunity to engage in radical mycography, the creative documentation of our mushroom encounters, as well as a chance to share our foraging experiences in and around Edinburgh.
Inspired by both medieval pilgrimages and the radical mycology movement, this foraging walk sets out to question themes of self-transformation, linear progression, and predetermined destinations as we document our shared journey.
We will provide pens and paper. However, you can bring your preferred writing and drawing materials if you so desire.
All notes and drawings will contribute to a co-created record of our experiences, thoughts, sightings and feelings regarding fungi. Upon completion of the pilgrimage, a medieval souvenir awaits you.
10th February 2024 1-3pm
Fungi Paper Making – Lochend Park
Join Myceliart on an upcoming workshop to learn how to make paper out of bracket fungi.
The session will start with a short guided walk through Lochend Park where we’ll discover fungi and first signs of spring. Subsequently, we will settle down at the picnic tables, where we will demonstrate the process of making paper from bracket fungi.
Please note that this is a demonstrative session only, and the paper takes about a day to dry. If you wish to take some home, kindly bring a tea towel and folder for transport.
Any leftover paper made during this workshop will contribute to a co-created field studies guide– There will be opportunities for drawing and note-taking, so feel free to take a notebook
If you attended our previous workshop, you’re welcome to bring any drawings or notes from the last session to add to our collaborative field studies guide.
Starting Location: Lochend Park, meet by the benches next to Playpark, Edinburgh EH7 6BP
Sat 9 March 2024 12.45–3pm
Foraging Journaling at The Field, Duddingston
Join Myceliart for an upcoming nature journaling workshop with Ruby Scott-Geddes and Johanna Koen at the Field in Duddingston. Learn to identify spring plants and mushrooms through anatomy, context and sensory immersion.
The session will start with a relaxed exploration around the area, collecting and observing what’s growing this time of year. After our walk we’ll look at some drawing techniques and sketch our finds with guidance and advice from Ruby and Johanna.
Images by Johanna Koen