Exhibition: Mushrooms & Color

Selected works by contemporary artists and makers were 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.

A thoughtful article about this exhibit, “Mushrooms and Rice” by reporter Carole Brodsky, was published in the Mendocino Beacon on January 22, 2026.

MUSHROOMS & COLOR is hosted by the International Mushroom Dye Institute (IMDI).

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OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS

Seeking fiber arts and textiles of all kinds, prints, paintings, handmade paper, sculpture. Share your experiments using mushroom dye and pigments! Surprise us!

Submissions due: Sunday, February 1

Submit application here: IMDI online gallery

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, view gallery here.

Notification: Wednesday, February 4

Drop off at Mendocino Art Center: February 8-9

Questions? Contact Felicia Rice mushroomsforcolor@gmail.com

FILM SCREENING

TRY IT AND SEE: THE STORY BEHIND MUSHROOM DYES

Directed by Martin Beebee
Saturday, February 28 (6pm)

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.

WORLDS COLLIDE

The exhibit, “Felicia Rice: Changes,” Moving Parts Press artists’ books, drawings, and experimental films, will run at the same time at the MAC. Should make for a fun opening night on Valentine’s Day!

Thanks to the Mendocino Art Center for this opportunity to show and share!