Fantastic Fungi

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Manuela Rellok, “The Unobservable,” 2023

(courtesy of the gallery)

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 12 from 7pm to 9pm

Salmon Arm Art Gallery is pleased to present Fantastic Fungi, an exhibition featuring eleven artists and a large-scale community collaboration that highlights the many species of mushrooms found in Secwepemc territory.

The complex and fascinating world of fungi has come into the light over the past few years as science has revealed more of the intricacies and amazing properties of these beings. Having inspired a wave of inventive new uses, including textiles, decomposers, medicines and plant-based meat alternatives, fungi also represent a vast network of communication between non-humans. In this era of climate crisis, fungi inspire us to find more sustainable ecological systems that recognize and maintain this network. The humble mushroom is experiencing a renaissance, and the artists in this exhibition are exploring this incredible family.

Featured artists are Leilani Ambrose, Twyla Exner, Lisa Figueroa, Sarah Hope, Susie Kathol, Manuela Koller, Mitch Milgram, Shay Paul, Patricia Purdaby, Valerie Rogers, Judy Sims, and a community collaborative project featuring 25 local artists who each selected one species of fungi to highlight.

The Arts Centre is hosting a by-donation mushroom ID session with local fungi expert Mitch Milgram on Tuesday, October 8 from 6pm to 8pm. Mitch brings with him a wide variety of mushroom samples found in the region, giving attendees a hands-on opportunity to learn identification methods.

The Coffee Break and Artist Talk is on Thursday, October 17 from 2pm to 4pm. Enjoy locally roasted coffee and fresh baked cookies while we hear from the exhibiting artists about their fungi adventures and artwork.