Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Museum of Natural History: Spore Prints and Mushroom Painting
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesLearn the basics of spore pressings and printings with step-by-step instruction by a master mushroom artist. Using spores, apply your mushroom observations to hue, composition, color theory, layering, and more. This class is perfect for aspiring artists or creative nature lovers with no prior experience, only a passion for the arts and sciences. Mushrooms for reference will be provided by the artist, but participants are welcome to bring their own mushrooms as well. Participants will have two completed art pieces to take home at the conclusion of the workshop. Open to ages 16+/all experience levels. All supplies included.
Museum of Natural History: Macrofungi Lecture
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesMaking maps of the distributions of organisms is one of the most fascinating topics in all of natural history. The theory of island biogeography serves as an ideal starting point in understanding broader patterns of how life travels from adaptation to extinction. How do fungi behave in comparison to other groups of organisms? In what ways do island-dwelling individuals differ from their mainland cousins? Go on an expedition to uncover the geographical mysteries of mushrooms!
Museum of Natural History: Fluorescent Fungi Lecture
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesExplore the brilliant world of bioluminescence. In this illuminating lecture, learn about the fluorescing fungi that glow under ultraviolet light, mushrooms that create their own light, even in complete darkness, and what in their DNA is coded for them to exhibit these beautiful characteristics. Using hundreds of high-quality photos, explore the mysterious world of bioluminescent and fluorescent fungi, and shine some light on the science of their unique DNA.