An Illumination of Wondrous Arts and Curious Crafts
Join Atlas Obscura and the Oddities Flea Market for a day of workshops, portrait sitting, and an opportunity to take a deep dive into intriguing crafts with a collection of amazing artists, all curated by Ryan Mathew Cohn.
Before the Oddities Flea Market opens its doors again in October, curators of all things curious Ryan and Regina Cohn have partnered with Atlas Obscura to offer a unique series of workshops featuring several of the market's most iconic vendors. Delve into the unusual while developing some very distinct skill sets and create an incredible keepsake to take home. You will have an opportunity to learn how to articulate cat bones, re-animate a dead creature through taxidermy, concoct a unique perfume inspired by a lost loved one, take your appreciation of cephalopods to a new level and transform beeswax into something unexpected.
You're welcome to attend one workshop or spend the whole weekend with us. Each workshop is priced separately, so you can pick and choose an individual schedule for the day.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2810 a.m.-1 p.m.
Session A: Cocktail Party Mouse Taxidermy Workshop
This workshop is dedicated to creating an anthropomorphic cocktail party mouse! Students will learn to mount their own mouse and will be provided with all materials and props needed to create a little life of the party. Each attendee will leave with their own finished piece.
Learn More And Reserve Tickets.
Session B: Memento Mori: An Introduction to Victorian-Inspired Perfumery
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of perfume-making and the powerful ways in which our senses and memories are linked. Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring in an item that holds deep meaning to them, such as a personal effect of a departed loved one, to use as a starting point for creating a scent. All attendees will be given a special bottle to bring their scent home in.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
2:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
Session C: Cat Skelton Articulation Workshop
In this intensive workshop, you will have the opportunity to pose and piece together a complete cat skeleton, learning how to finesse the bones and create an expressive design. You will be provided with all the supplies: a real skeleton, the base, and all required tools for building your skeleton.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session D: Wax Moth Workshop
Learn the delicate craft of creating creatures from beeswax in this unique workshop. You will be guided through the creation of beautiful Emperor and Sheep moth specimens, learning the basics of working with wax through melting, casting, and hand painting. The finished moths are then mounted under glass cloches. No previous artistic experience is required for this workshop, and all are welcome!
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session E: Chipmunk Nun Taxidermy Workshop
In this beginner's anthropomorphic taxidermy workshop, you will learn to mount your own chipmunk attired in nun's costuming. All materials (including an ethically sourced specimen, professional taxidermy mannequin, glass eyes, wood stand, nun habit and clothing, and props) will be provided. You will leave the class with your finished creation reflecting your own style.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Session F: Octopus Taxidermy Workshop
Discover the extraordinary art of octopus taxidermy in this exclusive, first-time workshop with an artist experienced in the unique practice of cephalopod preservation. Upon entering the workshop, you will immerse yourself into the world of all-things-octopus. Each student will be provided with all the necessary scientific positioning tools, octopus specimen, and workshop-exclusive reference guide.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session G: Memento Mori: An Introduction to Victorian-Inspired Perfumery
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of perfume-making and the powerful ways in which our senses and memories are linked. Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring in an item that holds deep meaning to them, such as a personal effect of a departed loved one, to use as a starting point for creating a scent. All attendees will be given a special bottle to bring their scent home in.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session H: Magician Squirrel Taxidermy Workshop
This workshop is dedicated to squirrel taxidermy. Students learn, in a hands-on approach, to mount their own pine squirrel. All materials, including an ethically sourced specimen, will be provided for each student to leave the class with their own finished creature.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
2:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
Session I: Cat Skelton Articulation Workshop
In this intensive workshop, you will have the opportunity to pose and piece together a complete cat skeleton, learning how to finesse the bones and create an expressive design. You will be provided with all the supplies: a real skeleton, the base, and required tools for building your skeleton.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session J: Octopus Taxidermy Workshop
Discover the extraordinary art of octopus taxidermy in this exclusive, first-time workshop with an artist experienced in the unique practice of cephalopod preservation. Upon entering the workshop, you will immerse yourself into the world of all-things-octopus. Each student will be provided with all the necessary scientific positioning tools, octopus specimen, and workshop-exclusive reference guide.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session K: Écorché Snake Workshop
In this workshop, participants will learn the process of creating an écorché snake’s head out of beeswax, using molds taken from original sculptures, to cast reliefs from melted wax. Your creation will then be carved, painted, mounted, and framed. No previous artistic experience is required for this workshop, and all are welcome!
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
Session L: Jackalope Shoulder Mount Taxidermy Workshop
The jackalope is a mythical hybrid creature of North American folklore, a rabbit with antelope horns or deer antlers. In this beginner's taxidermy class, you will learn the basic technique of mounting your own jackalope, continuing the lore of this magical creature. You will leave class with your own finished taxidermy jackalope shoulder mount on a wood plaque, ready to hang on the wall.
Learn More and Reserve Tickets.
SPECIAL PORTRAIT SITTINGS WITH KAREN JERZYK
Running concurrently to the workshops on both days, we have an extra special experience: Throughout the day and early evening, acclaimed photographer and visionary Karen Jerzyk will host portrait sittings in a one-of-a-kind set she will create within the Paul Kaufman Gallery space.
Students must arrive 20 minutes prior to the start time of their workshop.
Attendees will receive additional information about 48 Hrs before the event. Make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see any message.
Questions? Email Carlyle Coash at carlyle.coash@atlasobscura.com.
There are 150 spots available on this experience.
Each workshop will provide all the materials needed.
