Trades of the West: The Art of Taxidermy

Join us at the Briscoe Western Art Museum for a totally Texas talk about the art and history of a popular Western trade, taxidermy. Hear from taxidermist Casey Delano Chacon as he discusses how the South Texas’ unique environment and abundance of wild game makes the San Antonio area a draw for hunters and game conservation. Learn how hunting and conservation are intertwined and the skill involved in taxidermy through a live demonstration. The program is included with museum admission and online pre-registration is encouraged.

The art of taxidermy has contributed to broader conservation goals, including the preservation of the American bison. Museums have worked with taxidermists to showcase animals in an effort to draw attention to conservation challenges. In the 1880s, William Hornaday, the chief taxidermist at the Smithsonian, preserved some bison specimens to help educate everyone about the disappearing breed. His work directly contributed to the creation of the federally protected bison range in Yellowstone and was instrumental in saving the species.