Minnesota-based artist Lydia Hansen has transformed a simple hiking habit into an immersive outdoor art experience. In 2023, she set out to walk at least once a week for a full year, a routine that sparked the idea for crocheted mushrooms hidden along forest trails.
That concept became Fungi Hunt, a site-specific project that first unfolded on the Lost Creek Hiking Trail near Chatfield, Minnesota. Visitors discover handmade mushrooms placed on dead wood, creating moments of surprise that echo the excitement of spotting fungi in nature.
This summer, the project is in its third edition at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro. Hansen describes her work as experiential fiber art, blending craft, ecology, and public engagement. Her installations feature native Midwest species such as oyster mushroom, turkey tail, pheasantback, giant puffball, golden oyster, and chicken of the woods.
Using secondhand yarn, she temporarily attaches each piece with staples, screws, or stakes, keeping the work playful while staying closely tied to the landscape. The project also includes interpretive signage developed with naturalist Tanner Barnharst, helping hikers connect the visual experience with accurate mycology information.
Supported by a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, the Eagle Bluff edition runs through October 31. Hansen is also preparing a larger version for next summer across three parks in Olmsted County and is curating a fungi-themed exhibition at Kouba Gallery in Bloomington.
By merging art, walking, and environmental curiosity, Hansen's project points toward a future where public spaces become more interactive, educational, and creatively alive.
