Special Collections and Archives at UCSC invites you to celebrate the publication of Fruiting Bodies (fungi), a new artist book by Holly Downing.

UCSC alumna Holly Downing's new work harkens back to her undergraduate tenure at UC Santa Cruz (1967-1972). Inspired by the natural environment and campus visits by esteemed mycologist (and composer) John Cage, Holly conceived of an independent study conducted under the guidance of biology professor Todd Newberry, focusing on the botanical illustration of mushrooms. Now a well-respected painter and mezzotint engraver, Downing returns to the theme of fungi in her newest artist book. The work pairs seven of her mezzotints with fungi-related poetic works by Forrest Gander, Jane Hirshfield, Anna Journey, Christine Boyka Kluge, Ted Kooser, W.S. Merwin, Gary Snyder, Joseph Stroud and Gary Young.

Please join us for a celebration of the new work and all things fungi (including treasures from the John Cage Mycology collection) on Thursday, February 29, from 5:00 until 7:00pm in the Special Collections & Archives Reading Room at McHenry Library. Poets Joseph Stroud and Gary Young will be reading from the book.