Octopus Taxidermy Workshop
Discover the extraordinary art of octopus taxidermy. At the start of this expert-led workshop, you'll receive a collectible lab coat that's yours to keep. Then we'll dive into the fantastic world of octopuses. The goal is to design and prepare your cephalopod for final preservation and mounting. But along the way, we'll also learn about the anatomy of these amazing soft-bodied creatures.
I’ll show you how to clean, process, and prepare a specimen of your very own. After customizing your masterpiece, it will be cryo-preserved for transport back to the lab. There, final touches will immortalize what you created. Your finished art piece will be available for pickup in the days after the workshop. If you're not local, we can ship it to you at no cost.
Note: All participants will be required to sign a waiver the day of the workshop in order to participate.
We’ll conduct our workshop in Paxton Gate's classroom space, just steps away from the Valencia Street store. Paxton Gate is an eclectic cross between a gardening store, taxidermy shop, entomological treasure trove, art book retailer, and natural history boutique that offers “treasures and oddities inspired by the garden and the natural sciences.”
Hi. I'm Mikayla, a member of the Atlas Obscura community.
I have an educational background in mortuary science. I received training in the fields of anatomy and chemistry at a renowned natural history gallery in Berkeley, California, before branching out to launch my own company, ScientificWoman. I believe the most effective way to appreciate the mechanical nature of life is through examining the remarkable nature of death. In order to cultivate this exploration, I developed an art style and preservation process for specimens uncommonly found in taxidermy form. My techniques are unique to the industry and I continue to innovate and create never-before-seen taxidermy art pieces.
For questions about this experience, please contact me directly through Airbnb.
-No prior taxidermy experience is required! All specimens are ethically and sustainably sourced.
-Students must arrive 20 minutes prior to the start time.
-Attendees will meet at Paxton Gate at 824 Valencia. The workshop will be held in a nearby space within walking distance.
There are 10 spots available on this experience.
Guests ages 18 and up can attend.
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
Lab coat
Specimen
Dissection Tools
Gloves
Workbook
