4th Annual Realms of Fungi

ArtUs Co is bringing back one of its favorite traditions on Saturday, August 22: the 4th Annual Realms of Fungi. It's an exhibition celebrating the fungal kingdom, with work from more than 40 artists taking over the space. The show runs from August 22 through September 26, so you've got a good window to see it if you can't make the opening.

The opening reception is the big night, and it's split into two halves. From 3 PM to 6 PM, there's a soft opening where you can hear from members of the local mushroom community, including the Central Texas Mycological Society and Mushyverse. If you're into the science and the foraging side of things, that's the time to show up. Then, from 7 PM to 10 PM, it shifts into an art party with music by DJ Chappie Funk and a mushroom-inspired costume contest at 8 PM. The party is the part that invites you to turn up in eccentric fungal fashion, so if you've got a weird mushroom hat or a mycelium-inspired outfit, this is the night to wear it.

As for the show itself, the artists take on mushrooms, mycelium, and the hidden networks that connect all life, and they do it through imaginative interpretations rather than strictly scientific ones. It's a wide-ranging look at the fungal world, and with more than 40 artists involved, you'll see a lot of different ways of approaching the same subject.

ArtUs Co is a 501(c)3 artist-run non-profit here in Austin, run by a collective of resident artists who handle everything from curating the shows to washing the dishes. They program exhibitions, events, and workshops, and they keep a gift shop stocked with goods from artists and makers. The opening reception is $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and kids under 12 get in free. The gallery is at 10000 Research Blvd, Suite 141, and the exhibition stays up through September 26.