The
Nocturnal
Specimen
An invitation to give form to the creatures of the night.
Create a remarkably lifelike, fully pose able bat in this immersive Faux-taxidermy workshop. Shape its delikate skeleton, construct its flexible wings, and finish with a one of a kind creature worthy of a Victorian naturalist’s cabinet.
The Experience
Some things are best discovered
after dark.
Step inside The Aviary's cabinet of curiosities, where old-world natural history meets contemporary making. Inspired by the extraordinary anatomy of bats and the meticulous craftsmanship of Victorian specimen-makers, this workshop invites you to create something both beautiful and a little mysterious.
No preserved animals. No real fur. Just an intricate, handcrafted creature brought to life through wire, textile, sculpting and imagination.
WHAT MAKES IT EXTRAORDINARY
A specimen with a life of its own
Not merely decorative. Your bat is designed to be gently repositioned into a number of natural poses, with details carefully considered from nose to wingtip.
01
Wings that fold
Articulated wing supports and soft fabric membranes allow the wings to open into a dramatic spread or tuck close to the body.
02
Character in every detail
Give your specimen expressive ears, delicate paws and the quiet realism of short-pile faux fur.
03
An object to treasure
Display your bat on a branch or hanging upside down, complete with an archival-style label for your own cabinet of curiosities.
An invitation to see the beauty behind the process.
The Process
From skeleton
to specimen.
Over the course of the workshop, we will construct a miniature creature using carefully prepared materials and guided hands-on techniques.
01
The hidden anatomy
Assemble a flexible internal armature and learn how the shapes of a bat's bones inform the silhouette of its wings, head and feet.
02
Wings of the evening
Build the supported wing structure and attach a fine, dark membrane that folds and extends.
03
Fur, face & finishing
Shape the body, finish the face, place the eyes and ears, and cover the form with a carefully chosen faux fur.
04
The naturalist's archive
Pose your completed creation and prepare a Victorian-inspired specimen label to record its place in your collection.
A NOTE FROM THE NATURALIST
In nature, a bat’s wing is a hand
transformed for flight.
Its elongated fingers support the delicate wing membrane. That remarkable design is the inspiration for the wire-supported form we recreate in this workshop. A little anatomy, a little artistry, and a great deal of curiosity.
Your Place at the Workbench
Everything you need
to begin.
We provide carefully prepared materials and guide you through the entire process. No sculpting or taxidermy experience is required, just patience, curiosity and a love of unusual things.
Prepared wire armature components and joint materials
Soft wing fabric and faux fur
Pre-made head base and finishing supplies
Tools and step-by-step creative guidance
A finished, gently pose-able bat to take home
Victorian-inspired specimen label and simple display attachment
A decorative glass dome or framed display is not included in the standard workshop and may be offered as an optional upgrade.
YOUR INVITATION
Enter the
Night Archive.
Our first Nocturnal Specimen sessions are in development. Leave your details to be among the first to hear when registration opens.
To be announced
Approximately 3-4 hrs
The Aviary by Brilliant Images
$135 pp
Faux Bat Creation
DATE
DURATION
LOCATION
ADMINSSION
FOCUS
Spaces are intended to be limited to keep the workshop personal.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently
asked
Curiosities.
-
Not at all. The workshop is designed for curious beginners. Certain components will be prepared beforehand, and each step is demonstrated. Some hand dexterity and patience with small details will be helpful.
-
Yes. The design uses a bendable internal structure, allowing you to gently reposition the wings, head and limbs. It is a poseable artwork rather than a toy or repeatedly operated puppet; frequent bending can weaken the wires over time.
-
No. This is faux taxidermy. The bat is created entirely from artificial sculpting and craft materials; no real animal skin, bones or fur are used.
-
The session is planned around a complete take-home specimen. We prepare selected bases and cut materials in advance to make this possible. Fine details and display arrangements can also be refined at home.
-
Yes. You may design a hanging pose or a perched pose using the included simple display attachment. Ornate frames, branches and display domes may be offered separately.
-
Because the experience involves small parts, fine detail work and hand tools, the initial sessions are intended for adults and confident older teens. Please contact us about age suitability before registering a younger participant.
For the curious. For the collectors.
For those who find beauty in the unusual.
The Aviary