🎤 Instructor: Louis Keller
🗓️ Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
⏰ Time: Class at 7:00 p.m., Happy Hour at 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Stargazer Cocktails & Coffee in East Austin
🎟️ Cost: $35+ (Members get a 30% discount)
🎤 Instructor: Louis Keller
🗓️ Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
⏰ Time: Class at 7:00 p.m., Happy Hour at 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Stargazer Cocktails & Coffee in East Austin
🎟️ Cost: $35+ (Members get a 30% discount)
This October, step into the intersection of biology, art, and the macabre at Stargazer Cocktails and Coffee. We're kicking off "spooky season" with a hands-on workshop exploring the fascinating potential of mycelium as a sculptural material. You'll learn the fundamentals of working with fungi to make sculptures.
Using a blend of sawdust and hemp hurd as substrate, you'll pack and inoculate your own skull-shaped mold, learning the science behind how fungal networks bind organic matter into solid, compostable forms. No prior experience is needed; we'll walk you through every step, from substrate mixing to incubation best practices. After the hands-on portion, unwind with a curated selection of mushroom-inspired cocktails and mocktails, connect with fellow fungi enthusiasts, and toast to the eerie season ahead. Your skull will continue to grow at home, transforming day by day into a one-of-a-kind gothic keepsake—or the start of your very own mycelium menagerie.
Who This Is For
Curious creatives interested in biomaterials, sustainable design, and zero-waste art.
Fungal fanatics (newbies welcome!) who want to get their hands dirty with live mycelium.
Halloween lovers looking for a unique, DIY spooky decoration that's alive and growing.
Cocktail enthusiasts who enjoy sipping something strange and seasonal in a cozy, moody setting.
Anyone seeking a fun, low-pressure Monday night activity that blends science, craft, and community.
Meet Your Instructor
Louis Keller is a mycelial thread in the Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees program, where he helps educate the community about the importance of fungal-rich soils in supporting thriving tree populations amidst drought and increasing heat. Outside of this role, Louis is a passionate soil microscopist who assesses soils using the principles of the soil food web—a framework that examines the complex interactions between different soil microbial trophic levels. He's thrilled to share his love for fungi with you in this hands-on, playful setting.
What You Will Get
Hands-on instruction in mycelium cultivation and substrate preparation.
All materials and tools provided to make one mycelium skull form, including fungal culture, sawdust, hemp hurd, and a reusable mold.
A complete take-home grow kit with your freshly inoculated skull mold, care instructions, and a mini humidifying dome to ensure successful colonization.
A digital care guide sent via email with tips on drying, finishing, and displaying your finished skull.