ANTHROPOMORPHIC OR NATURAL MOUSE TAXIDERMY with GOTHAM TAXIDERMY

Saturday, October 3, 2026

In this class, we will learn about the fascinating anatomy of mammals and traditional mammal taxidermy. This class is designed for beginners with an interest in taxidermy. No matter the experience level, all are welcome! Students will learn everything they need to create their very own mouse taxidermy mount, from proper skinning, degreasing/washing, to sculpting, mounting, and finishing. Students will watch a skinning and fleshing demonstration, and proceed to work with professionally cleaned and tanned skins. This will allow the students to focus on the finer details of creating a finished piece, and practice specific mounting techniques, like sculpting, fitting, and modifying a form, sewing, assembly, and grooming. We will discuss how to use reference and study anatomy for taxidermy. Our subject will be the domestic mouse. Their beady eyes and furry feet dart across our parks, sidewalks, and sometimes our homes causing alarm, but domestic mice are loving companions doted on by many. These adorable mammals are lovely subjects for taxidermy, as many people have encountered them, and they can be posed naturalistically or anthropomorphically, depending on your preference. These mice are legally and sustainably sourced, no animals are harmed for the sake of taxidermy. Students will go home with their custom made creations, instructions for maintaining their pieces, and newfound or nourished love of taxidermy. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, All tickets: $350, Pre-registration is required. Register here: Mouse Taxidermy 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/