I first discovered the SPORE Project: Paper Bag Mushrooms, several years back in Orlando Florida. I produced an event in partnership with Apartment E called “The Bad Art Show” at The Secret Garden, (a unique private garden/art event compound that I helped develop with the owner). The Who’s Who of the Orlando Art Scene came out of the woodwork for the industry insider event. The morning of the event, hundreds of Paper Bag Mushrooms appeared out of nowhere to welcome the elite art crowd.
The SPORE Project is a worldwide effort developed by Doug Rhodehamel to promote awareness for the support for art in schools and creativity in day-to-day life. The project illustrates the importance of self expression, resourcefulness and creativity – specifically, how to look at one thing (a simple paper bag) and see what it can be instead of merely what it is. The project was created to build awareness, specifically to let people know the importance of art.
Art is essential: It promotes intelligence and creativity, and its a great expressive outlet that inspires people toward new perspectives on life, which we all need and need frequently. As of 2008, more than 63,000 mushrooms have been planted throughout the nation as well as parts of Canada, Germany, London and Taiwan…. And now Southern California.— in Arcadia.
Paper Bag Mushrooms invade Prince Erik Ha;; and The Meditation Garden @ The Arcadia Congregational Church, March 2009
