IIn this beginners class, students will learn everything about basic moth and butterfly preparation. We will discuss harvesting and drying specimens, 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. 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.
All students will be provided the same specimen to work with in class-the beautiful Deaths Head Hawk Moth. Students will work on pinning and spreading their own specimen, AND will create a habitat and dome display with a pre-prepared specimen. You go home with 2 gorgeous moths (and more listed below!)
As always, all specimens are legally and sustainably sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the assorted insects used in this class, how students can safely source their own specimens, and suggested, reputable suppliers.
Students go home with-
-a Deaths Head Hawk Moth that will be pinned and spread in class
-a prepared Deaths Head Hawk Moth in a glass dome display in a habitat of their own design
-a spreading board that can be used for future projects
- the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future.
More details at the registration link below!
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. She has recently starred in the Emmy winning documentary short, "Rearranging Skin". In her commitment to conservation, she regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as NYC Plover Project and NYC Audubon). You can learn more at https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/