Workshop: Grow Your Own Oyster Mushrooms

Turn your waste into food and new bio-materials

23 Apr 2015

It is said that the mushroom, and especially Mycelium has the potential to replace all sorts of (harmful) materials like plastics and batteries. Here at Mediamatic we are interested in the cultural and artistic implications of this 'new' bio-material and invite you to start exploring yourself. During this introduction course you will learn how to cultivate the Oyster Mushroom at home and by doing so gain a better understanding of the potential of this organism.

Curious? Check our this video by Phil Ross.


Oyster mushroom - Oyster mushroom grown on coffee waste. Oyster mushroom grown on cardboard Antoni Gandia

Besides the fact they are delicious and nutritious, there is much more to discover about mushrooms and fungi. Here at Mediamatic we explore the use of fungi as a source of new natural bio-materials. So if you are an artist or designer looking to grow your own material, don't hesitate and join our workshop!

What will you learn?

You will learn how to prepare straw but also your coffee and cardboard waste in order to let the mushrooms grow. You will learn how to extract spawn from a fully grown mushroom so you can repeat the process at home. You will learn why and how we are working in our self constructed cleanroom. And you will learn about the ideal conditions for the mycelium and mushrooms to develop.


Ni and Joyce inspect their growing bag. - Mycelium can be a source of inspiration for artists and designers. Amy Claire Elizabeth Galbraith

What will you do?

The workshop is lead by Marieke Broertjes and takes place at Mediamatic Biotoop. First we will pasteurize the substrate in order to prevent moulds and contaminant bacteria growing between our mushrooms. Then, in the cleanroom, we will inoculate the substrate with mushroom spawn. Meanwhile Marieke will tell you everything about mushroom cultivation and its endless possibilities. Finally you take home your own growing bag. The mycelial network needs some time to colonize the substrate, after which it will start growing its fruits, your very own cultivated mushrooms.

Workshop: Grow Your Own Oyster Mushrooms
Thursday 23 April. 19:00 - 21:00
Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijksgracht 6, Amsterdam
Tickets: €25, 00.
Please note that this workshop is going to be given in English.

If you have questions, or you want to book a private session for a group you can send a mail to