EXHIBITION THEME
Fungus is all around us. From mushrooms to mycelium and yeasts to molds, the fungal world is a vast and largely unseen kingdom—one of intricate beauty, resilience, and profound ecological importance
You are invited to explore the fascinating realm of fungi, from the delicate gills of mushrooms to the expansive, invisible mycelium networks beneath our feet. Celebrate the diversity, mystery, and interconnectedness of fungi in all their forms.
Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly. Consider the cycles of growth and decay, the symbiotic relationships that fungi form, or their cultural and scientific roles. Fungi embody dualities: they are both life-giving and life-taking—agents of healing and disease, creation and decomposition. Let this complexity inspire your work.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Opens August 2027 at Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, United Kingdom
This exhibition will travel until December 2030
Linda Seward is a world-renowned quilt judge, speaker and teacher, celebrated for her passion, expertise and creative vision. She is the author of 13 books on quilt making, including the enduring classic The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Appliqué and the Ultimate Guide to Art Quilting. With a publishing career spanning four decades, Linda was a regular columnist for The Quilter magazine for 18 years and became a certified quilt judge in 2004 through The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles. Her knowledge and keen eye have been sought after for judging prestigious quilt shows across the UK and around the globe.
A proud member of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles, the Contemporary Quilt Group, Contemporary Textiles London and the London Quilters, Linda continues to take an active role in the global textile community.
During the pandemic lockdown, Linda’s creative focus shifted as she began exploring the natural world on daily walks. Fascinated by what she discovered, she began photographing and researching the flora and fauna she encountered. In the autumn of 2020, she developed a particular interest in fungi and joined the British Mycological Society (BMS). Her passion deepened as she fully immersed herself in the field—purchasing a microscope, joining many expert-led field trips and studying under the UK’s top mycologists. In 2024, she was elected to the BMS Council, where she now champions Field Mycology.
Linda splits her time between London and Oxfordshire, where she lives with her husband and continues to inspire through her textiles, writing and love of fungi.
