Brooklyn Anthropomorphic Taxidermy class sold out

A class on Anthropomorphic Taxidermy was held last Sunday in Brooklyn, New York, suggesting that the hobby is far from a historical pursuit.

Run by taxidermist and tattoo artist Susan Jeiven, the $45 class assumed no prior experience, and supplied each student with a deceased mouse obtained from a snake-feed store. The 15 places quickly sold out.

Over three hours of class time, attendees learnt to remove the innards of the mice and chemically preserve their skins, which were then stitched and posed on molds of clay and wire.

To anthropomorphise their mice, the students posed them in miniature clothing and other props, and were encouraged to bring any miniature items of their own with which to "dress or decorate their new friend". Bringing their own dead animals was strongly discouraged.