Paul Rhymer and team working Smithsonian Mammals

I recently had the pleasure to be called up on the phone by Paul Rhymer, the last full time taxidermist the Smithsonian ever had. Rhymer and I talked about the future of taxidermy and his major concerns for museum taxidermy. Rhymer feels that taxidermy is at it’s pinnacle, with so many advancements. The finest specimens are being created with new technologies. I wanted to know what I should be focusing my concerns on when researching my Masters. Rhymer warns of the concerning trend for exhibition designers to take taxidermy out of cases and cabinets, against the advice of taxidermists and collections managers. Exhibition day arrives and the work will photograph well, but in 5 years light, pests and the public will take its toll on the uncovered mount. The phone call was exciting and made me think about taxidermy, hunting and the new technological advancements in artistic preservation. What a lovely call on thanksgiving.