Magician Squirrel Taxidermy Workshop
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Join Atlas Obscura, Oddities Flea Market and Amber Maykut for a special workshop, part of our Illumination of Wondrous Arts and Curious Crafts weekend curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn.
The practice of taxidermy has developed concurrently with humankind for millennia. Here, you have a unique opportunity to learn all about this incredible craft from Amber Maykut, a skilled professional in the field who has worked and trained with some of the best and now operates her own taxidermy shop in Brooklyn, New York.
In the world of magic, the squirrel is considered to be most adept at knowing how to make things disappear. In this beginner's anthropomorphic taxidermy class, you will learn the basic technique of mounting your own pine squirrel dressed as a captivating magician. Class includes the guided lesson with Amber, an ethically sourced squirrel specimen, wood stand, magician props, a professional squirrel mannequin, glass eyes, and other supplies. You will leave with your own finished taxidermy squirrel mount. The size of the mounted squirrel is about 7 inches tall, standing upright.
ABOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF WONDROUS ARTS AND CURIOUS CRAFTS
This event is one in a series of workshops, presented by Atlas Obscura in partnership with The Oddities Flea Market, that celebrates unique artists and their passion for interesting crafts. The event is a chance to spend part or all of the weekend diving into the deep end to explore your creativity in unexpected ways. In addition to Small Creature Taxidermy, there are workshops Victorian-inspired Perfumery with Lacey Walker from Seance Perfumes, Wax Anatomy Sessions with Heather O'Shaughnessy from Salon Decire, Cat Skeleton Articulation with Ryan Cohn, Octopus Taxidermy with ScientificWoman, and special portrait sittings with famed photographer Karen Jerzyk.
Amber Maykut is a professional taxidermist and owner of Brooklyn Taxidermy, a taxidermy art studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Amber and her work have been featured in The Guardian, VICE, LA Times, National Geographic, New York Magazine, TimeOut NY, Business Insider, Oxygen TV, and many more. For more info on the instructor and her work, please visit: www.brooklyntaxidermy.com or @ambermaykut on Instagram.
No prior taxidermy experience is required. No harsh or dangerous chemicals are used. No specimens are killed for the sake of taxidermy. All specimens are ethically sourced, and this taxidermy lesson uses feeder animals (smaller animals intended to be provided as food for non-wild animals), utilizing the skin of the specimen only. The inner remains will be frozen and donated to serve as food at local wildlife businesses, serving their original intention.
Students must arrive 20 minutes prior to the start time.
Attendees will receive additional information regarding location and parking about 48 hrs before the event. Make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see any message.
Questions? Email Carlyle Coash at carlyle.coash@atlasobscura.com.
There are 15 spots available on this experience.
All materials are included as part of the workshop.
Class includes the guided lesson with Amber, an ethically sourced squirrel specimen, wood stand, magician props, a professional squirrel mannequin, glass eyes, and other supplies.