Okay, I know this might seem like an unusual photo for the NHBH, but I couldn’t resist…and there’s a natural history connection! We worked in Mendocino County today, conducting intertidal surveys during the early morning low tide. But in the afternoon we made a few stops in Fort Bragg and Mendocino, including the Mendocino Art Center. There’s a fun exhibit about kelp there, and a bonus was this amazing exhibit about dyes made from local mushrooms.
I’m new to this world, but the dyed-wool examples above were made with different species of mushrooms. The exhibit is about the collaboration between Dorothy Beebee (illustrator) and Miriam C. Rice (dye pioneer). It showcases fabrics made with local dyes (including mushrooms collected from Mendocino County) and others on loan from the International Mushroom Dye Institute.
I haven’t been able to check it out yet, but a documentary film called Try It and See: The Story Behind Mushroom Dyes will be available at www.mushroomsforcolor.com and www.myramadecolor.com.
Such a beautiful earth-toned color palette!
2 comments:
Dorothy Beebee used to teach about mushroom dyes at the 3-day camp over MLK weekend sponsored by Sonoma County Mycological Association. It was very hands-on. Though Dorothy is no longer teaching, the class is still taught. If you are interested learning all about local fungi, the camp is a wonderful opportunity.
FASCINATING! Glad you took the time to poke around in the local economy and document it!
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