Date: Sunday, April 9
Time 12-3 pm ET
Location: Private studio in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, off the R train at 25th Street. Address will be sent to students before class.

PLEASE NOTE: This class is an IN-PERSON class. Students will have to be masked and vaccinated to attend.

In this beginners’ class, students will learn everything about basic arachnid and insect preparation. We will discuss harvesting and drying and rehydrating dried specimens, 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. 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 species to work with in class (Orb weaver) but will have the opportunity to custom design their own habitat display dome, and can select a take-home specimen from an assortment of beetles and insects for independent practice. 

Students will make a glass dome display using a selection of rocks, branches, moss, foliage, and other naturalistic organic matter, and will pose and pin their orb weaver spider in this habitat. After a few days of drying at home, students will have a beautiful spider display of their own making. We will also discuss methods for preserving plants, and the appropriate adhesives and methods for mounting. The dome size is approximately 4 in W x 7 in H.

As always, all specimens are legally and sustainably sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the specimens used in this class, how students can safely source their own specimens, and suggested, reputable suppliers. 

Students go home with the following

• a glass dome display of their own design with an Orb Weaver spider  

• a dried beetle or other insect specimen to practice on at home

• and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future!

Class policies
Please note, this class takes place in the instructor’s studio, which is a working taxidermy studio. Please be mindful of the space and bring only what you need for your day in class. The studio is in a walk-up building with 3 flights of stairs-please keep this in mind and wear comfortable shoes and clothes. For your safety, no food, drink, or gum in class. Students are allowed to take as many breaks as needed outside of class for food and drink.

To enter the building, please meet downstairs at 11:50 am or contact instructor via text message to enter 828-668-2566. All specimens are legally and sustainably sourced, and no animals are harmed for the sake of taxidermy.

By signing up for class, you recognize the risks associated with a taxidermy class—working with sharp tools and practicing safe specimen handling. You agree to follow the instructor’s advice and will not hold the instructor or venue liable for harm.

All students must be over 18. Please feel free to bring your own props, adornments, or items for your mount. Please do not bring your own raw specimens to the class.

About the 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 is passionately curious about the untapped potential of this scientific art and sharing it with others. Her classes seek to demystify the taxidermy process and make the field more accessible and engaging. In her commitment to conservation, she regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as the Audubon Society). You can learn more at https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/