The Living Art of Dead Things: Fox Taxidermy With Allis Markham - Atlas Obscura Experiences

The Living Art of Dead Things: Fox Taxidermy With Allis Markham

3 sessions
$70 per person
See Dates
$70 per person
$70 per person
See Dates
What We’ll Do

This course has already started! However, you can still join if you’d like to (and we hope you will!). Students enrolling after the course start date and time will have access to a recording of the first session (which will be emailed to participants within 72 hours) as well as the option to attend remaining sessions live. Please select the “Join Late” ticket type to enroll after the course has begun.

In this three-part lecture series, join taxidermist Allis Markham while she mounts a kit fox for museum display.

Course Description

This class is designed for both beginners and pros alike and can serve as an appropriate next step for those who took any of Allis’ previous courses. Content will differ from Allis’ previous skunk taxidermy class; in this course, we’ll cover form modification and head-casting.

Step inside the studio of Allis Markham, an award-winning taxidermist and educator, for a demonstration-based series taking students through each step of mounting a kit fox, drawing on commercial techniques as well as more advanced museum techniques. The kit fox we’ll be using has been ethically sourced (found dead) and will be sent to a museum for educational purposes. We’ll cover everything from form selection and modification to deathcast head creation and foot sculpting. By the end of this course, you’ll not only have a deeper understanding of the taxidermy process, but you’ll also be equipped with printable PDFs detailing each step, links to resources that can help you practice mammal taxidermy at home, and tips for legally and ethically acquiring your own specimens. Students will also be provided with Allis’ tanning formula and instructions for the final grooming.

Syllabus at a Glance

This course includes 3 total sessions, each lasting for 2 hours on 3 consecutive Tuesdays beginning February 8.

Session 1 (Tuesday, 2/8, 8–10 PM ET): What Lies Beneath: Form selection, modification, and carving custom forms

Session 2 (Tuesday, 2/22, 8–10 PM ET): Make the Mammal: Death-cast head creation, fitting skin to form, and sew city 

Session 3 (Tuesday, 3/1, 8–10 PM ET): It's Alive!: Skin shifting, foot sculpting, facial details, and grooming

Between Sessions

Outside of class, students will have the opportunity to watch videos that offer a more in-depth look at certain aspects of the taxidermy process. These will be permanently available for students to view at TheDeadStream.com. 

Course Materials

While there are no required materials, Allis will provide links for purchasing supplies as well as tips for legally acquiring specimens.

Pricing Options

This course is available at three ticket prices, with a limited number of no-pay spots for students who could not otherwise participate. This tiered pricing model is designed to increase access for a wider range of students as well as to support our instructors. To learn more about our pricing model, please visit our FAQ page.

Atlas Obscura Online Courses

Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for participants to emerge with new skills, knowledge, connections, and perspectives through multi-session classes designed and taught by expert instructors. To learn more about our current course offerings, please visit www.atlasobscura.com/online-courses. For answers to commonly asked questions, check out our FAQ page here.

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Where We’ll Be

Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to each class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.

About Your Instructor
Allis Markham
Allis Markham

Allis Markham is an award-winning taxidermist/nassologist based in Los Angeles, California. She was named Third in the World at the 2017 World Taxidermy Championships and was the 2018 California Champion, receiving Judges’ Choice Best of Show, People's Choice, and the Artisan Award from the United Taxidermist Association. More recently, Allis has focused on museum work and public education, and taught the only taxidermy course in the country in recent years at Occidental College. She’s worked with institutions such as the Natural History Museum of Santa Barbara, Moore Lab of Zoology, The Huntington Library, The Frost Museum of Science, Colorado State University, and The Getty. Additionally, she’s created commissions for Gucci, The Nomad Hotel, EB Florals, and television shows such as Bates Motel. Allis has also been featured in numerous publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, the cover of LA Weekly, and more. You can also watch the critically acclaimed documentary STUFFED, which followed her for several years, or listen to her episode of Ologies.

What Else You Should Know

This lecture series is designed so students can participate live or watch a recording of each session, after it airs, at a time that is convenient for them. Sessions will take place live over Zoom, with dedicated Q&A segments for students to ask questions via video or chat. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.

Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions. 

We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.

Dates and Availability

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