MYCOPHILIA FORAY
6-day in person fungal research expedition
for artists
Mycology is the study of mushrooms.
Mycophilia is the love of them.
September 2026
Ontario, Canada
Deadline to apply: August 9, 2026
Mycophilia is a residency for artists interested in mushrooms and fungi to study them in the field, lab and studio. It will take place in Ontario at the Queen's University Biological Station over 6 days in the fall of 2026. The residency will involve daily excursions into the forest for exploration of the local mycology and collection of materials and samples. Afternoons will be spent in the classroom observing, drawing and identifying the morning mushroom finds while we listen to lectures on mycology and myco art.
Biophilium residencies are designed to facilitate first hand experiences that will enrich visual and conceptual artists' practice and to connect and brainstorm with a group of like minded creative people. Artists, writers, musicians, film makers and dancers are invited to apply. The jury will select 10 artists based on their portfolios rather than how they fit into any description of an artist. Participants are not expected to produce anything during the residency, but will be supported and ecouraged to be creative throughout the week. You will be invited to give an artist talk to introduce your practice to the group and may present a short short talk, performance or experiment if you wish.
This program offers artists an immersive experience to deepen fungal knowledge and to connect with the forest and fellow fungaly focased creatives. Microscopes will be available and collecction/ identification tools will be provided. All meals are included.
Day 1
12:00 Arrival and Orientation
12:30 Lunch and introductions
1:30 Introduction to identification and observation equiptment and tools
2:30 Lecture: Mushroom Hunting- Foraging for Food, Medicine and Color
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Mushroom encounter of the day: Biosonification of live mushrooms in the field
Day 2
DIY Breakfast
9:30 Foray: Identifying edible, medicinal and poisonous mushrooms in the field
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Identification, observation and illustration of collected samples
2:00 Artist talks
3:00 Lecture: Mycophilia 101- What is a mushroom? How do they grow, navigate, eat and reproduce?
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Mushroom encounter of the day: Reading from the Book of Spores
Day 3
DIY Breakfast
9:30 Foray: Hunt for mushrooms to collect, identify and observe
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Identification, observation and illustration of collected samples
2:00 Artist talks
3:00 Lecture: Symbiosis: Fungi-Plant partnerships: Lichens, Ghost Plants and the Wood Wide Web.
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Mushroom encounter of the day: hunt for bioluminescent fungi
Day 4
DIY Breakfast
9:30 Foray: Hunt for mycorhyzal fungi and their plant partners
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Identification, observation and illustration of collected samples
2:00 Artist talk
3:00 Lecture: Symbiosis: Fungi-Animal partnerships: Zombies, Bats and Fungal Farming Insects
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Mushroom of the day
Day 5
DIY Breakfast
9:30 Foray: Hunt for fungi and their animal partners
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Identification, observation and illustration of collected samples
2:00 Artist talk
3:00 Lecture: Myco Art: Live Fungi in Art. Opportunities and Resources
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Mushroom of the day
Day 6
DIY Breakfast
9:30 Forest hike and closing ritual
12:00 Goodbyes
Cost
$1300 USD
Official invitations and supporting documentation will be given to accepted applicants to help them in their search for grants or funding.
What is included:
All activities
Foraging basket, knife and Biophilum swag
Room and board
Residency places are limited to 10 selected artists.Click here to see all the artists who have studied fungi with us.
How to apply:
1. Artist's CV
2. Artist's statement (about 200 words)
4. Portfolio 5 – 10 examples of your work
We are flexible and forgiving with application formats and deadlines. For best results let us know what you do and what you'd like to study with us as early as possible.
Artists who participate in the 2026 Mycophilia Foray in September will be awarded a 50% scholarship to participate in the 10-day Mycophilia webinar in October.
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"Thank you for both of the wonderful residencies.
I really appreciate your school and what you're doing. There aren't many spaces that open up conversation in such an approachable way between scientists and artists. I really commend you for the way you put these programs together and the very inspiring projects we got to discover through each class.
I'm so grateful for all the tips you've given me for opportunities in this very quirky field."
Catherine Euale, Species and Rewild 2025 |
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Thanks so much for a great residency during Mycophilia, I wish it could have gone on for weeks longer!
[Alexis'] enthusiasm for the topic was infectious! The speakers were all magnificent and the artists were just the best!
Mary Hegedus, Mycophilia 2022 |
"The Ayatana Residency will immerse you in the world of researchers and the biological sciences in a way that is often inaccessible to artists interested in these topics. A very unique and enriching opportunity."
-Eveline Kolijn, Infinitesimal, 2020 |
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“The Ayatana residency allowed me to explore many aspects of scientific practice I would otherwise not be able to access on my own. It pushed me in directions and toward practices I would not have explored independently.”
- Shelly Smith (Infinitesimal 2018) |
More with the Biophilium this year:
 
For images of past Mycophilia adventures see our Facebook albums:
Mycophilia 2019, Chelsea, Quebec
Chaos Fungorum 2018, Toronto, Ontario
Biophilia Aug 2017, Chelsea, Quebec
Biophilia Sept 2016, Chelsea, Quebec
Biophilia Sept 2015, Chelsea, Quebec
Biophilia Sept 2014 Wakefield, Quebec
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