Date: August 14th, 2016
Time: 12-6:30pm
Admission: $250 (includes all materials for use in class, and complementary museum admission for the day. Students go home with their own finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.)
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Tickets Here

Limited class size of 8 people

This class is designed for beginners to learn professional level techniques used in small mammal taxidermy. By focusing on the facial features, students will create a rabbit shoulder mount that can be affixed to a plaque or hung as is. Students will learn proper skinning and fleshing procedures, how to split, turn and position facial features, including the ears, proper preservation techniques, and the traditional methods of sculpting and carving a bust to create a shoulder mount form. A selection of props and accessories will be provided, and students can choose to create a natural display, or create a jackalope/hybrid creature using real antler pieces, or sculpting their own. As always, students are also welcome to bring their own props or accessories if desired.

Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future. It is recommended students bring a bag or box to transport their pieces.

Divya Anantharaman is a Morbid Anatomy Museum Taxidermist in Residence and a Brooklyn based artist whose taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with the intersection of natural mythology and science. With a combination of self and professional training, she has found her calling working as a professional taxidermist creating both fantasy and traditional pieces, and teaching classes around the world. Winner of Best in Show trophies and Best in Category ribbons at state taxidermy shows and competitions, her work is on display in the Chamber of Wonders at the Walters Art Museum, and has been profiled in numerous publications as varied as National Geographic, The NY Times, The Cut, Vice, BBC Science Radio, and on hit Discovery/Science Channel TV show Oddities. She is also a board member of the New England Association of Taxidermists, member of the Garden State Taxidermists Association, and has coauthored the book Stuffed Animals being released by W.W. Norton this fall. You can find out more at www.friendsforevertaxidermy.com

Also, some technical notes:

We use NO harsh or dangerous chemicals.

Everyone will be provided with gloves and sanitary equipment.

All animals are disease free.

All animals are ethically sourced- nothing was killed for this class. Animals used in this class are discards from the feeder/pet food industry, naturally deceased, or discards from the food service industry.

Please do not bring any raw dead animals with you to the class.