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As the home of nearly 500 taxidermied bird specimen – many dating back to the 1800s from the collection of esteemed Washington state researcher and naturalist John M. Edson – the Whatcom Museum is proud and excited to welcome Prey Taxidermy to Bellingham for two special days of events.“Stuffed” documentary, Q&A with Allis Markham, and taxidermy show & tell
Friday, May 31, 2024 | 6:30 – 9 pm
Old City Hall Rotunda
121 Prospect St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
On Friday, May 31, the Whatcom Museum is hosting a viewing of the film Stuffed, which premiered to acclaim at SXSW in Austin. It features Prey Taxidermy’s Allis Markham and documents the often-surprising and always-unique world of taxidermy through the eyes of the newest generation of artists and naturalists. The film allows the audience to dip into and explore a diverse subculture, where sculptors must also be scientists. It is a genre of art formed by a collection of people who have a fanaticism for nature, matched only by their desire to protect it. They love animals and see life, whereas others only see death. In an unexpected twist, “Stuffed” reveals the importance of preserving nature, using taxidermy as its unlikely vehicle and the taxidermist as its wild driver.
Allis will join us for the viewing, answer questions, and show us a sampling of taxidermy specimens.
Considered one of the world’s leading bird taxidermists, Prey Taxidermy owner and educator Allis Markham got her start apprenticing at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles under Tim Bovard, one of the last remaining dedicated museum taxidermists in the country before opening her studio in 2011. Clients include multiple Natural History Museums around the country, The Smithsonian, The Getty Research Institute, and even brands such as Gucci. With Allis will be an avian biologist and award-winning taxidermist, Paloma Strong, who has studied at Prey Taxidermy under Allis’ guidance for nearly a decade.
Today, Allis and Paloma continue to focus on museum preservation while teaching the craft to students in the US and abroad. Classes at the Prey Taxidermy studio sell out quickly and require travel to Los Angeles, but for one weekend, Allis and Paloma will bring their expertise, humor, and stories (so many stories!) to Bellingham.
$35/members
$45/non-members
Seating is first come, first served in the rotunda or in the Hall of Birds mezzanine.
Come to both events and make it a weekend getaway in Bellingham!
Very special thanks to our partners, Hotel Leo, and Heliotrope Hotel, for offering Prey Taxidermy guests a 25% discount on rooms from May 31 – June 2. You won’t find a better deal anywhere online. Please make a hotel reservation as soon as possible. Rooms are not being held at this reduced rate (once they’re booked, they’re gone), and the discount is only valid on reservations made before April 30, 2024. On May 1, museum guest pricing returns to standard rates. Simply click on the links above to make a reservation at the reduced rate.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Whatcom Museum, 121 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA 98225-4401, United States,Bellingham, Washington
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