Elephant in the Room Taxidermy: Challenges of a Lost Art
Date
Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 6–9 pm
Location
Tickets
Limited paid parking will be available in the NHM Car Park on Bill Robertson Lane.
Elephant in the Room: Small Talk, Big Issues
Explore NHM’s iconic 100-year-old diorama halls after-hours with Elephant in the Room, a bold new discussion series that tackles thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial topics in the museum world and elsewhere. This year’s theme pulls back the curtain on the artistry, science, and controversies surrounding the museum’s beloved installations, providing a platform for dialogue and discovery. The inaugural series complements NHM’s latest exhibition, Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness, offering a fresh perspective on these iconic and historic displays.
March 13 | Taxidermy: Challenges of a Lost Art
Join us for the second night of the Elephant in the Room series, where we focus on the history and evolution of taxidermy. The evening will feature taxidermy demonstrations with NHM staff and volunteers, a discussion in the new Commons Theater, and will conclude with a cocktail hour to meet and greet the program participants. Get a front row seat as our moderator, neuroscientist and science communicator, Dr. Yewande Pearse sits down with the taxidermists from Prey Taxidermy, Allis Markham and Paloma Strong, and NHM’s resident taxidermist, Tim Bovard.
Program Schedule
Taxidermy Demonstrations | Foyer | 6–7 pm
Taxidermy Demonstrations: Stroll through the Foyer and chat with our NHM volunteers as they demonstrate the taxidermy process.
Discussion | Commons Theater | 7–8 pm
Taxidermy: Challenges of a Lost Art
In this thought-provoking discussion, we’ll dive into the world of taxidermy–its challenges, evolution, and ethical considerations. We’ll explore taxidermy's vital role in museum collections, particularly when scientific accuracy and artistic expression co-exist. From the changing methods of specimen acquisition to the ongoing balance of preserving history and the natural world, this conversation will offer insight into the challenges of both the art and science of taxidermy. Join us as we share how this practice has evolved and what its future may hold in an ever-changing cultural and scientific landscape.
Meet the speakers:
Dr. Yewande Pearse | Moderator
Dr. Yewande Pearse is a neuroscientist turned science communicator, bridging the gap between science and culture. London-born and now Los Angeles-based, she is the founder of Nyewro, a science translation and communications company. Driven by the belief that science isn't just for scientists and has the power to connect people and communities, Nyewro's mission of "Broadening where science belongs" brings science into art galleries, music venues, and cultural institutions. She serves as an advisor to the California Science Center and is a Community Fellow at The Center for Diverse Leadership in Science at UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.
Photo by Diana Lundin
Allis Markham | Prey Taxidermy
Allis Markham is an award-winning master taxidermist and the owner of Prey Taxidermy in Los Angeles. Allis trained right here at NHMLA under Tim Bovard before starting Prey Taxidermy in 2011. With Prey, Allis is able to create pieces for conservation education and teach museum-level taxidermy courses. Her clients include The Smithsonian, The Getty Research Institute, Moore Lab of Zoology, Gucci and many more.
Photo by Suzanne Strong
Paloma Strong | Prey Taxidermy
Paloma Strong is a taxidermist and teacher at Prey Taxidermy. She has nearly a decade of experience as a taxidermist and focuses on creating pieces for museums. Paloma has a B.A. in biology from Occidental College and was a preparator and researcher at the Moore Lab of Zoology.
Tim Bovard | Taxidermist, NHMLAC
Fascinated by nature as a child, Tim was 10 years old when he, working from books, made his first attempts at taxidermy. After graduating from the University of Idaho, he started working for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County full time in 1984. Tim has attended and won awards at taxidermy review competitions and seminars, and he actively mentors the next generation of taxidermists. His work spans many different types of exhibits, including dioramas, traveling exhibits, and other exhibition spaces including the Petersen Museum and La Brea Tar Pits.
Cocktail Hour | African Mammal Hall | 8–9 pm
Cocktail Hour: Enjoy the opportunity to meet and greet with the evening's program participants. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.
Upcoming Event:
THE MANY FACES OF CONSERVATION
Join us March 20 for "The Many Faces of Conservation," a discussion on the changing perspectives in conservation science.
