In this beginners class, students will learn everything about basic butterfly/insect/ arachnid preparation. We will discuss harvesting and drying specimen, rehydrating dried specimen, and in class we will practice handling techniques, spreading, mounting, the nuances of posing, display, and maintenance. Students will also learn how to put together and maintain their own rehydration chamber, things to check for during all stages of the process to ensure a clean and successful end product, and tips for gentle handling. Students will also build their very own spreading boards for use in class and beyond. We will also cover how to select archival quality materials to maintain specimen integrity. For the sake of consistency and ease, all students will be provided the same specimen to work with in class, but will be have the opportunity to select a take home specimen from an assortment of butteries or moths for independent practice. Simple shadow boxes for finished pieces will be provided. As always, all specimens are legally and sustainably sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the assorted insects/arachnids used in this class, how students can safely source their own specimens, and suggested, reputable suppliers. Students go home with their own prepared insect or arachnid, a spreading board that can be used for future projects, simple display case for the finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.
Sunset Moth: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, All tickets: $250.00.
About Our Instructor – A unique combination of science and style, Divya Anantharaman is an award winning licensed professional preserving animals with honor and compassion for clients ranging from museums, designers, collectors, and everyday naturalists. Her specialties are birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies, with a select number of commissions open for pets. Her work seeks to combine the demonstrative aspect of scientific presentation with the symbolic, introspective nature of art, using taxidermy to engage diverse audiences with conservation. She has starred in the Emmy winning documentary “Rearranging Skin” and is an advocate for diversity in the field as a queer woman of color. She is passionately curious about the untapped potential of this scientific art. Her classes seek to demystify the taxidermy process, make the field more accessible, and to engage folks with wonder and connection to nature. She regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as the Audubon Society and NYC Plover Project). You can learn more at: https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/
Sunday, October 4, 2026
In this beginners class, students will learn everything about basic butterfly/insect/ arachnid preparation. We will discuss harvesting and drying specimen, rehydrating dried specimen, and in class we will practice handling techniques, spreading, mounting, the nuances of posing, display, and maintenance. Students will also learn how to put together and maintain their own rehydration chamber, things to check for during all stages of the process to ensure a clean and successful end product, and tips for gentle handling. Students will also build their very own spreading boards for use in class and beyond. We will also cover how to select archival quality materials to maintain specimen integrity. For the sake of consistency and ease, all students will be provided the same specimen to work with in class, but will be have the opportunity to select a take home specimen from an assortment of butteries or moths for independent practice. Simple shadow boxes for finished pieces will be provided. As always, all specimens are legally and sustainably sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the assorted insects/arachnids used in this class, how students can safely source their own specimens, and suggested, reputable suppliers. Students go home with their own prepared insect or arachnid, a spreading board that can be used for future projects, simple display case for the finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.
Sunset Moth: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, All tickets: $250.00.
Pre-registration is required. Register here: Sunset Moth Registration
About Our Instructor – A unique combination of science and style, Divya Anantharaman is an award winning licensed professional preserving animals with honor and compassion for clients ranging from museums, designers, collectors, and everyday naturalists. Her specialties are birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies, with a select number of commissions open for pets. Her work seeks to combine the demonstrative aspect of scientific presentation with the symbolic, introspective nature of art, using taxidermy to engage diverse audiences with conservation. She has starred in the Emmy winning documentary “Rearranging Skin” and is an advocate for diversity in the field as a queer woman of color. She is passionately curious about the untapped potential of this scientific art. Her classes seek to demystify the taxidermy process, make the field more accessible, and to engage folks with wonder and connection to nature. She regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as the Audubon Society and NYC Plover Project). You can learn more at: https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/
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