At Brooklyn Taxidermy, we blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistry to preserve and showcase the natural world. Our work ranges from classic taxidermy to unusual, highly customized pieces, always with an appreciation for the beauty, character, and sometimes quirkiness of the world we live in.

Founded by artist and taxidermist Amber Maykut, Brooklyn Taxidermy has studios in Sugar Loaf, NY and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY.

Amber Maykut

Amber’s formal journey into taxidermy began in 2012, when she trained at Anderson’s Whitetail Taxidermy School near Rochester, NY, under Bill Anderson. She went on to study with William Tinger in Highland Mills, NY; John Youngaitis of Cypress Hills Taxidermy in Queens, NY; and numerous other taxidermists and craftspeople.

Her education has included invaluable hands-on experience at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where she interned under Senior Preparator Tom Doncourt. Working with the Museum’s Ornithology Department, she mounted birds and prepared specimens as study skins, skeletons, and DNA samples.

Amber spent many years studying bird and mammal taxidermy under Mark Van Leuven of Buckshot Taxidermy in New Jersey. In England, she studied Victorian and antique taxidermy restoration and conservation with Simon Moore, who served as Conservator of Natural Sciences for The Natural History Museum of London, The British Museum, and The National Trust for many decades.

Over the years, Amber has shared her expertise through lectures, demonstrations, and workshops for organizations including NPR, Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site, Brooklyn Historical Society, Atlas Obscura, The Explorers Club, and the Morbid Anatomy Museum. She has served as a board member and workshop instructor for the State Taxidermists’ Association of New Jersey and is a member of the National Taxidermists Association.

In the Press & On Display

Brooklyn Taxidermy has been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Business Insider, and many others.

Our clients and collaborators have included Drew Barrymore, Neil Patrick Harris, Courtney Love, Nick Jonas, Amy Sedaris, and bands including Slayer and Tool.

Our work has also appeared in and been created for productions, institutions, and brands including Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, and Netflix’s Wednesday; the MoMA Design Store; Saks Fifth Avenue’s NYC flagship windows; Ace Hotel New York; Eleven Madison Park; New York State Parks and Recreation; Columbia Sportswear headquarters; Merrell; and Hendrick’s Gin.

Our Work

We offer repairs, cleanings, rentals, commissions, custom work, and one-of-a-kind taxidermy pieces. We also teach hands-on taxidermy workshops throughout the year, welcoming beginners, teens, and experienced enthusiasts alike.

Ethical Taxidermy

We believe taxidermy should never be a reason for an animal to die.

As ethical taxidermists, we follow strict animal-welfare guidelines and do not kill animals for the purpose of taxidermy. Whenever possible, we work with animals obtained from sustainable or otherwise appropriate sources, including by-products of the meat industry that would otherwise go to waste, frozen feeder animals intended for pets and zoological collections, and animals that have died naturally.

Taxidermy can give an animal a second life: as art, as a teaching tool, as a scientific specimen, or simply as a way to appreciate the extraordinary beauty and wonder of the natural world.

For more information about our practices, services, and frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ or Contact pages, or connect with us on social media.

Clients and Collaborations

From museums and Michelin-starred restaurants, to actors, musicians, television productions, and major brands., view our Clients and Collaborators page.