Join us to learn about mushrooms and how to identify and differentiate between various species. We will discuss mushroom picking and collecting etiquette, and various ways of identifying fungus genus and species – by shape, parts, and anatomy of a mushroom, color, smell, and tree associations! Participants will have time to explore, find, and closely observe and identify various fungi.
After the walk, participants will return to the Museum, where they will select a couple of mushrooms to study more closely and learn how to draw their specimens. Using the mushrooms they collected, they will learn how to closely observe key features such as shape, texture, gills, stems, and overall form, and translate those details into a scientific-style drawing. Everyone will go home with a completed drawing of their mushroom or mushrooms from the day.
Program Fee: $45 | $5 Off for Museum Members
Materials: All art materials are included in the class fee.
Capacity: 20
Ages: Open to ages 7+. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
REGISTER
Registration will open January 14, 2026, for Museum Members
Remaining tickets will be available January 15, 2026, for the General Public.
Want to secure your spot? Museum Memberships start at just $20 and get you early access to events and camp registration, discounts in our store, and more! Become a Member today.
About the Instructor: Sarah Brothers Bot
Sarah Brothers Bot studied biology in college but after discovering the arts, pursued a Bachelors degree in in Fine Art and Graphic Design, and a Masters in Community Arts Management and Arts Education. Sarah has held leadership positions in non-profit arts and education organizations nation-wide. For the past 14 years, as Arts Education Director for Arts Council Santa Cruz County, Sarah has developed arts education programs that meet educational, socio-emotional, and artistic needs for youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and has created systems for sustainable programming.
Illustration featured in The Art of Nature 2025 Exhibit by Sarah Brothers Bot.
About the Instructor: Liv Fragiacomo
Liv Fragiacomo is a microbial community ecologist finishing up their Master’s at San Jose State University. They led our 2025 Fungus February hikes and our Redwoods Revival series. A lover of all things plants and microbes, their background is in plant disease ecology. They love making zines for their walks while helping others connect with the unique natural history of Santa Cruz County.
Fungus February programming presented with support from UCSC’s The Humanities Institute, featuring Entangled Life: How Fungi Make our Worlds, Change our Minds, and Shape our Futures by British mycologist Merlin Sheldrake for this year’s Deep Read program. Learn More.
