I chatted with Eva Hagberg authour of Dark Nostalgia and writer for a new blog on rented curious spaces.
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Morgan Mavis amidst the menagerie that doubles as her apartment. Mavis is the curator of Toronto’s Contemporary Zoological Conservatory. Photograph by: Brett Gundlock / National Post, National Post

Tomorrow pick up a copy of the National Post, The CZC and their new Director will be featured in the arts section.
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The Conservatory is polishing the floors and filling Balloons for the inauguration party for Morgan Mavis and is excited to unveil the first work in the Portrait collection.

National Post Article. Click to view fullsize

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Thanks to Rachel Poliquin foremost contemporary taxidermy academic, creator of the taxidermy blog Ravishing Beasts for being such an avid supporter of the CZC. You can see highlights of our new collection of images in Ravishing Beasts photo of the week.

Morgan Mavis Now Magazine Profile

Sara Titanic profiled the Conservatory in this weeks Now Magazine artist profile.

Morgan Mavis Director of the CZC

The Contemporary Zoological Conservatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Morgan Mavis to the position of Director. “We are delighted to have Morgan Mavis as the new Director for the CZC and bring her superb expertise and talent to the curatorial projects we plan to undertake. Her passion for art will be an asset to the beloved taxidermy collection and will take us into new, exciting directions in the future.” – Christopher Bennell, Conservationist at The Contemporary Zoological Conserservatory

Ms. Mavis’s experience in archive collection management, curation and specimen acquisition have led to a wide-ranging interest in museum practices. Consequently, the scope of her museological curiosity varies from the Wunderkammern of the early renaissance to contemporary taxidermy. She is equally inspired by the Victorian obsession for possessing nature and the artfully curated Deyrolle collection in Paris, where she spent the summer filling her trunks with Continental specimens.

“I am honoured and privileged to find myself taking on the responsibility of looking after such a prestigious and important collection pertaining to Canadian heritage and culture,” said Ms. Mavis. Ms. Mavis will be leaving the role of Curator and Head Acquisitionist to assume her new role as Director of The Contemporary Zoological Conservatory on January 15, 2010.

About the Conservatory The Contemporary Zoological Conservatory (CZC) is a privately owned collection of antique and contemporary taxidermy mounts, specializing in mammal birds and reptiles. Located in the historic colonial mansions of West end Toronto. The CZC is documenting the wild collections and stories of Morgan Mavis. You will witness an overwhelming proportion of taxidermied species in her natural environment. The Conservatory is Toronto’s only taxidermy parlour. The CZC is available for rental and has been the backdrop for album covers, TV shows, magazines and print articles.

Morgan Mavis, Director

morganmavis@thetaxidermyconservatory.com

Morgan Mavis, Director & Christopher Bennell, Conservationist

Version 2.0 of the CZC website, thetaxidermyconservatory.com, officially launched today. Expect more frequent updates and more photographs of the conservatory.

Dani Nash, emerging Toronto artist, has created the first of the the CZC’s portrait collection: A whimsical portrait of Morgan Mavis and her creatures. Oil on Wood.

Dani Nash name drops the CZC on the Torontoist

Turtle Sugar Bowl The Contemporay Zoological Conservatory Toronto Morgan Mavis

After a mysterious email and a night rendezvous at the foot of the Conservatory steps, Morgan Mavis, Director, is proud to have the new addition of a ring-tailed pheasant and a delightful snapping turtle sugar bowl.

Darwin exhibit

One of the best days in Berlin was spent exploring Berlin’s natural history museum and the Darwin exhibit. The museum had an extensive taxidermy collection and a comprehensive education department with exhibits demonstrating the step by step process of taxidermy, from skinning to completion. The day left us inspired and energized, ready to haggle at Mauerpark.We came away like bandits: A marsupial head and a free Cheese platter!

Victorian Kangaroo

Behind the scenes

Morgan Mavis acquiring the world one rat at a time.