Date: Sunday, August 2nd
Time: 12-6pm
Admission: $450 (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
Limited class size of 4 people
In this class, students will learn how to work with professionally tanned skins to create their very own skunk taxidermy mount. This is a great class for someone who wants to learn taxidermy without getting their hands dirty, or for the student who wants to focus on the finer details of mounting and finishing work. We will discuss the basic chemistry of tanning, how to prepare a skin for a commercial tannery, and students will learn how to rehydrate and prepare a tanned skin. Techniques like splitting and thinning lips, clay work for the face and paws, and using hide paste will be put into action as students work to create their mounts. Students will also learn how to prepare and modify a rigid form, adding armature and support as necessary, and how to align and identify fur patterns so that the hide is applied to the form with anatomical accuracy. Reference photos will be provided via tablet and smartphone.
Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future. It is advised that students bring a bag or box to transport their finished 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, and an inspiring class (Sue Jeiven’s popular Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Class at Observatory!), she has found her calling in creating sickly sweet and sparkly critters. A trophy winner in the 2013 Philadelphia Alt Taxidermy competition, her work and classes have 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 member of the M.A.R.T. (Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists) and the G.S.T.A. (Garden State Taxidermists Association) 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.
